Sri Lanka ETA for Yoga Teacher Training: How to Apply
Quick answer: to join a yoga teacher training in Sri Lanka, most international students need a 30-day tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), applied for online at eta.gov.lk before they fly. Since 25 May 2026, the Sri Lanka ETA is free for nationals of 40 countries, including the US, UK, India, Australia, Canada and most of Western Europe. Most other nationalities pay US$50. Approval usually arrives by email within a day or two, and the 30-day ETA comfortably covers a 23-day course.
This guide walks you through the Sri Lanka ETA for yoga teacher training step by step: who gets it free, what you need, how to fill in the form, how long it takes, and what to do if you want to stay longer after your course.
About the author. Written by Yogini Manisha, founder of Diksha Yoga School, which runs residential yoga teacher trainings in Galle, Sri Lanka. She is an E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance and has guided students from 80+ countries. All fees and rules here come from Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, checked in October 2026.
Table of Contents
What is the Sri Lanka ETA, and which one do yoga students need?
The ETA is Sri Lanka’s online pre-approval to enter the country. Every foreign visitor needs one before arrival, including nationals of the 40 countries whose ETA is now free.
| ETA type | Validity | Who it’s for |
| Tourist ETA | 30 days from arrival, double entry | Holidays and short visits, including most students on a residential yoga course |
| Business ETA | 30 days, multiple entry | Meetings, conferences and short business trips |
| Transit ETA | 2 days | Passing through Sri Lanka for under 48 hours |
For a yoga teacher training, students usually apply for the tourist ETA. You’re visiting to study and practise, not to work. Two things the tourist ETA doesn’t allow:
- Paid work. You can’t teach yoga for money in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA.
- Long courses. It covers 30 days. A course longer than about four weeks needs an extension or a different visa.
If your plans are unusual, for example volunteering at a centre or a course of several months, check with the Department of Immigration and Emigration before you travel.
Sri Lanka ETA fee 2026: who gets it free?
Since 25 May 2026, nationals of these 40 countries get a free 30-day tourist ETA:
| Region | Countries with a free tourist ETA |
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Americas and Oceania | United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand |
| South and East Asia | India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia |
| Middle East and Central Asia | Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, UAE, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia |
Nationals of the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore also get a free ETA under reciprocal agreements. Maldivians receive 90 days.
Fees for everyone else
| Tourist ETA (30 days, double entry) | Applied online in advance | On arrival at the airport |
| Other SAARC countries (e.g. Bangladesh, Bhutan) | US$20 | US$25 |
| All other countries (e.g. Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Brazil) | US$50 | US$60 |
| Children under 12, any nationality | Free | Free |
Tip: if you have to pay, apply online. It’s US$10 cheaper than on arrival, and you’ll know you’re approved before you fly.
Both lists come from the official eta.gov.lk notice and the Department of Immigration’s fee table. Check your nationality there before you travel, because the lists can change.
How to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA: step by step
The application takes about 10–15 minutes. Do it yourself on the official site: you don’t need an agent.
- Go to the official website, eta.gov.lk. Check the address bar shows .gov.lk before you enter any details.
- Choose “Apply”, then select Tourist ETA (short visit).
- Enter your personal and passport details exactly as they appear in your passport: full name, nationality, date of birth, passport number and expiry date.
- Enter your travel details: expected arrival date, port of entry (usually Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo) and your address in Sri Lanka. If you’re training with us, use Green Serene Villa, Galle.
- Add a working email address that you check often. Your approval is sent there.
- Review everything carefully, then submit. If your nationality pays a fee, pay by credit or debit card.
- Save your reference number and wait for the approval email. Check your spam folder too.
- Download or print the approval and keep it with your passport when you fly
Need help? The ETA call centre runs 24/7 on +94 71 99 67 888.
What you need for the ETA, and at the airport
You don’t upload documents for a tourist ETA, but immigration officers can ask for these when you land in Colombo. Have them ready:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. This is strictly enforced.
- ETA approval email, printed or saved on your phone.
- Confirmed return or onward ticket out of Sri Lanka.
- Proof you can cover your stay, such as a bank card or recent statement.
- Your address in Sri Lanka. For our students, your course booking confirmation for Green Serene Villa, Galle, works well.
- Travel insurance details. Not always checked, but strongly recommended.
Children need their own ETA, even babies. It’s free for children under 12 of any nationality.
Processing time, validity and double entry
| Question | Answer |
| How long does approval take? | Usually within 24–48 hours |
| When should I apply? | At least 3 days before you fly; we suggest 1–2 weeks to be safe |
| When must I enter Sri Lanka? | Within 3 months of the ETA being issued |
| How long can I stay? | 30 days from the date you arrive |
| Can I leave and come back? | Yes, once. The tourist ETA allows double entry within the same 30 days |
How this fits your course: our 200 hour yoga teacher training in Galle runs 23 days, from the 5th to the 27th of each month. That leaves about a week of your 30 days to arrive early or travel afterwards.
Using the double entry: if you’d like a short trip to the Maldives or India after the course, you can come back once on the same ETA, but your second stay must still end within 30 days of your first arrival.
Staying longer after your course: ETA extension fees
Want to travel around Sri Lanka after your training? A tourist ETA (free or paid) can be extended beyond 30 days, in stages, up to a maximum of 270 days.
| Your nationality | Stay of 31–90 days | 91–180 days | 181–270 days |
| UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Switzerland | US$100 | US$150 | US$200 |
| United States | US$100 | — | US$200 |
| Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles, Czech Republic | Free | US$150 | US$200 |
| Any other country | US$60 | US$150 | US$200 |
Department of Immigration and Emigration, Visa Fees. The 91–180 day fee for US citizens isn’t listed on the official page, so check it if you need it.
How to extend:
- Online: apply on the Department of Immigration’s e-services portal, eservices.immigration.gov.lk, before your 30 days run out.
- In person: visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office, “Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla, near Colombo.
Don’t overstay. If you leave within 7 days of your visa expiring, you pay only the visa fee at the airport. After 7 days, there’s an extra US$250 penalty; after 14 days it’s US$500.
Common ETA mistakes, and how to avoid scam sites
Look-alike websites are the biggest risk. Many sites look official and charge US$80 or more for an ETA that’s free for 40 nationalities. Sri Lankan embassies warn travellers to apply only through eta.gov.lk.
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
| Applying on an agent or look-alike site | Type eta.gov.lk yourself; check for .gov.lk before paying |
| Name or passport number doesn’t match your passport | Copy them exactly from the photo page, including middle names |
| Passport expires within 6 months of arrival | Renew your passport before you apply |
| Applying too late | Apply 1–2 weeks before you fly |
| No return or onward ticket | Book your exit flight before you travel |
| Wrong ETA type | Choose Tourist ETA for a yoga course |
| Approval email lost in spam | Check spam and save the PDF to your phone |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for a yoga teacher training in Sri Lanka?
Yes, every foreign visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival. Students on a short residential yoga course usually apply for the 30-day tourist ETA at eta.gov.lk.
Is the Sri Lanka ETA free in 2026?
Yes, for nationals of 40 countries, including the US, UK, India, Australia, Canada, Germany and France, since 25 May 2026. Other nationalities pay US$50 online, or US$20 for other South Asian (SAARC) countries.
How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take?
Usually 24–48 hours. Apply at least 3 days before your flight, ideally 1–2 weeks.
Is a 30-day ETA enough for a 200 hour yoga teacher training?
Yes. Our 200 hour course in Galle runs 23 days, leaving about a week to arrive early or travel after.
Can I teach yoga in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA?
No. The tourist ETA doesn’t allow paid work, including teaching yoga for money.
Can I get the ETA on arrival?
A visa on arrival is available, but it costs more (US$60 for most nationalities) and you won’t know you’re approved before you fly. Apply online in advance.
How much does it cost to extend my Sri Lanka ETA?
To stay 31–90 days in total, US$100 for most Western nationalities or US$60 for most others. It’s free for Singapore, the Maldives, Seychelles and the Czech Republic.
Do I need to show my yoga course booking?
It isn’t required for the ETA, but immigration can ask where you’re staying and for proof of a return ticket. Your course confirmation is a simple way to show your address.
Ready to train in Sri Lanka?
With a free ETA for most nationalities, Sri Lanka is now one of the easiest places to train as a yoga teacher. Our 23-day 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Sri Lanka at Green Serene Villa in Galle starts from €2,000, with your room, three meals a day and pickup from Colombo airport included. Planning your budget? Read our Sri Lanka yoga teacher training cost guide. Looking for something shorter or more advanced? See our 100 Hour YTT, 300 Hour YTT or 50 Hour Breathwork TTC in Sri Lanka.
“The location is amazing, teachers are amazing, real ‘yoga’ people!” — Francesca Magno, 200 Hour YTT graduate
View the 200 Hour YTT in Sri Lanka → · Book your place · Ask us about your visa on WhatsApp
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Visa rules can change at short notice, so always confirm on eta.gov.lk before you travel.
