Sri Lanka Tourist
Visa & Covid Travel Updates 2021

Process in Detail

To prevent extra costs, all applicants are strongly urged to consult the destination airlines with permission and clearance for departure to Sri Lanka and verify flight availability in advance to apply for visas and pre-purchase accommodation, insurance, and PCR

As a global travel requirement, it is necessary to have a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of departing for Sri Lanka at an authorized laboratory (children under the age of two are exempt). Please double-check your airline's requirements as well.

A pre-confirmed reservation at a Level 1 'Safe & Secure Certified' hotel or hotels for up to 15 days, depending on the length of your stay and vaccination status. Hotel reservations can be made directly with the hotel or through a ‘Safe & Secure' certified travel agent or online travel agency (OTA). Visitors are permitted to move within L1 hotels and use all hotel facilities following a negative on-arrival PCR. Please go to

The mandatory COVID-19 local travel insurance cover is USD 12 for a policy of USD 50,000 for a period of one month (including children below 2 years)

Pre-book your PCR based on your vaccination status.

Except for Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana, all countries are permitted to enter Sri Lanka for tourism purposes with an ETA Tourist visa issued by the Sri Lankan government.6. PCR up on arrival

• Children between the ages of 2 and 12 will be exempt from On Arrival (Day One) PCR testing ONLY if they are not vaccinated
• Children under the age of two are exempt from PCR testing. Children will be subjected to PCR tests if their parents or guardians develop symptoms or have positive PCR test results.
• On arrival (Day One), all travelers should have COVID-19 PCR tests performed.
• Children aged 2 to 12 will be exempt from On Arrival (Day One) PCR testing ONLY if they are traveling the nonvaccinated route.
• Children under the age of two are exempt from PCR testing. Children will be subjected to PCR tests if their parents or guardians develop symptoms or have positive PCR test results.

Individuals who travel within two weeks of completing the required COVID-19 vaccination dose are regarded as fully vaccinated travellers. Any type of vaccination recognized by the country of origin is acceptable.

• Continue to stay at a Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotel until the on-arrival PCR test is completed (for 24-48 hours).
• Vaccinated travelers can leave the bio-bubble if their On Arrival (Day One) PCR test results are negative. After verifying the status of vaccination and issuance of a "Discharge Document," the respective L1 hotel doctor will issue a "Discharge Document."

• Children aged 2 to 18 who have not been vaccinated are permitted to leave the bubble with fully vaccinated parents if an on-site PCR test results in a negative result.
• Travelers are not permitted to return to the Tourism bio-bubble after leaving it (i.e., staying at ‘L1 Safe and Secure Certified' hotels is not permitted after leaving the bubble). If you choose to leave the bio-bubble, it is strongly advised that you stay in ‘Safe and Secure Certified' hotels (non-L1) for the remainder of your journey.
• Fully vaccinated travelers who have not traveled to any travel restricted countries in the previous 14 days (India, South American countries, and South African countries: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and were discharged from an L1 Safe & Secure Certified hotel with an On Arrival (Day One) negative COVID-19 PCR report, a valid passport, and a valid visa., are exempted from 2nd PCR test.
• Unvaccinated children aged 2 to 18 years who have been released with fully vaccinated parents should have a COVID-19 PCR test performed by a Ministry of Health approved Private Sector or State Sector Laboratory on Day Seven after arriving in Sri Lanka, and the results should be reported to the area MOH by telephone or email.

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Incomplete vaccinated travelers are those who have not received COVID-19 vaccine, have not completed the recommended doses of vaccination, or have left the country within less than two weeks of finishing the recommended doses of vaccination will be considered as incomplete vaccinated travelers.

Stay at a Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotel/s for the first 15 days of your trip and do a PCR test upon arrival. Travelers with an on arrival negative PCR test report are allowed to stay at any number of Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotels and enjoy all of the hotel's services. In a bio bubble, visitors are also permitted to visit recognized tourist attractions.

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Travelers who have not completed the two-week immunization period

• On completion of day 14 of the necessary immunization doses, the traveler will have a second PCR test, and if the findings are negative, then the traveler will be released from the bubble.
• Children aged 2 to 18 are allowed to leave the bubble with their vaccinated parents if the exit PCR tests are negative. If these unvaccinated children aged 2 to 18 years are released within less than 7 days of arriving in Sri Lanka with a fully vaccinated parent, they should undergo a COVID-19 PCR test from a Ministry of Health approved Private Sector or State Sector Laboratory on Day Seven after arriving in Sri Lanka and notify the results to the area MOH by telephone or email.
• Children under the age of two are exempt from PCR tests; however, if an accompanying traveler's departure PCR testing for COVID-19 is positive, the child will be exposed to PCR testing as well.

The Hotel Doctor at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel will provide a "Discharge Document" after checking the state of vaccination and the two-week completion of the prescribed immunization doses and PCR testing.

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Not-vaccinated.

• The 2nd PCR (Exit PCR) will be performed on Day 14 for all travelers.
• If leaving the nation between days 5 and 14, no 2nd PCR is necessary.
• Exit COVID 19 PCR testing is not required for children under the age of two. However, if an accompanying traveler of the child tests positive for COVID-19 at the airport, the child will be submitted to PCR testing as well.
• After completing day 14 and receiving a negative exit PCR test result, travelers can exit the bio-bubble and return to the community. After validating the status of PCR test findings, the respective L1 hotel doctor will provide a "Discharge Document."