Sri Lanka visa requirements for Kenyans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Kenyans visiting Sri Lanka

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Sri Lankan Visa.

  • A Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 x 45mm) taken in white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country. 
  • Travel medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

Sri Lanka Visa for Kenyans

Facts about Sri Lanka

Tourists visiting Sri Lanka are usually taken aback by the natural scenic beauty in the country. They include mountainous terrains, agricultural landscapes, waterfalls, and rivers. For such a small country, Sri Lanka possesses a high level of biodiversity and wildlife resources. About 13% of the country’s land surface has been designated as Wildlife Protected Areas, you can imagine how many national parks and how many species of wildlife that can be seen here. The country also possesses nearly 1600km coastlines with tropical beaches which tourists like to visit. The beaches offer activities such as sea bathing, swimming, surfing, boating, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, underwater photography, and scuba diving. Sri Lanka is sometimes referred to as the hidden city because lots of tourists fly over the country without exploring the tourist’s attractions in the country.
 
Since the end of the civil war, which lasted 25 years, in 2009, Sri Lanka has become one of the country’s tourists look forward to visiting and this is reflected by the rapid increase in the number of tourists visiting the country year after year. In 2018, the country played host to over 2.3 million tourists and it has been estimated that the number of tourists visiting the country is going to increase for years to come.
 
On entry to Sri Lanka, tourists are required to declare foreign currency amounting to $10,000. If exiting with foreign currency of over $5,000, the full amount brought in or acquired in Sri Lanka must be declared. Do not mistreat Buddhist images and artifacts as this is a serious offense and you could be convicted for this.
 
Citizens of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles are exempted from requiring a visa to gain entry to Sri Lanka.

The penalties for drug-related crimes and crimes relating to the abuse of children are severe. Tourist should ensure they carry a form of identification with them at all times, otherwise, they may be detained. Sex-sex relations are illegal in Sri Lanka.

Types of Sri Lanka Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 3 working days 30 days
Business visa 3 working days 30 days
Transit visa 3 working days 48 hours

General Requirements for Sri Lanka Visa

  • A Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 x 45mm) taken in white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country. 
  • Travel medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

Sri Lanka Tourist visa Sri Lanka Business visa Sri Lanka Transit visa

Sri Lanka Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Sri Lanka tourist visa is issued to foreigners with the intention of visiting Sri Lanka for leisure and tourism.
  • Tourists who are visiting for a short time (less than 30 days) can obtain the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) instead of a visa, but this option is not available to Kenyans yet.
  • The Sri Lanka tourist visa can be extended. Depending on the traveler's specific conditions, an extension of up to two months can be granted by the Department of Immigration  and Emigration.
  • In most cases, you only get one chance at extending your visa. Further extensions will only be considered under very cogent reasons.
  • Visa applicants are required to prove they have a convincing incentive of returning to Kenya once their stay is over. A good example of this incentive is an original copy of the applicant's marriage certificate, if applicable.
  • Foreigners in Sri Lanka should ensure they obey the rules of their visa to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities.
  • It’s Sri Lankan law that you must carry an official form of identification at all times. For foreign nationals, the acceptable form of identification is your passport. If you do not have it with you and you’re stopped by the authorities, you may be detained. 
  • The mistreatment of Buddhist images and artifacts is a serious offence in Sri Lanka. Tourists will be convicted once caught.
  • Don’t take photographs of military bases, government buildings or vehicles used by VIPs (this includes numerous sites in central Colombo). Doing this could cause you to be detained.
  • You can be fined if you ignore instructions not to smoke or drink in certain public areas. Get enough  information about licensed spots you can drink and smoke while in the country.

  • Tourists are advised to be vaccinated for yellow fever and cholera before traveling to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Eligible applicants of the business visa are businessmen and women traveling to Sri Lanka for business.
  • Here are a list of activities the holder of a business visa can engage in while in the country:
    • Attend business meetings and negotiations.
    • Attend conferences, workshops and seminars.
    • Participate in short-term training programs.
    • Participate in art, music and dance events.
  • If the purpose of your visit is to attend a conference in Sri Lanka, you are required to provide proof of registration for this conference during your application.
  • After arrival to Sri Lanka, business visa holders who may wish to stay longer than three months may apply for an extension.
  • An extension of up to 1 year can be granted, depending on the applicant's specific needs and conditions.
  • A letter from the applicant’s employer confirming awareness and allowance of business leave is required. The letter should state the job position of the applicant and also state the duration and the purpose of the applicant’s visit.
  • An official letter of invitation from the host company in Sri Lanka written on the company’s letterhead is required. The letter should state the job position of the applicant and also the duration and the purpose of the visit.
  • The business letter must state whether the applicant’s employer or the host company in Sri Lanka will take up the responsibility of the applicant’s finances.
  • If the applicant has previously been in business with the company he/she will be meeting in Sri Lanka, proof of this required.
  • Minors are expected to be in possession of an unabridged original copy of their birth certificate, as well as a letter of consent signed by both their parents.
  • International certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required.

Sri Lanka Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners with the intention of transiting through Sri Lanka to their destination country.
  • Foreigners can board a flight from an airport in Sri Lanka to their destination country.
  • Kenyans who have the intention of joining a crew ship in the country to their destination country are also eligible for this visa.
  • Visa and other entry permits of the destination country are required.
  • Flight ticket of the destination country should be provided.
  • The Sri Lanka transit visa is a single-entry visa valid for just 48 hours.
  • Thirty-day transit visitor visas are possible but usually expensive. It could cost between US$25 to US$100 to obtain one,  depending on the traveler's nationality.

Sri Lanka Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

35.00 (USD)

Business visa

40.00 (USD)

Transit visa

0.00 (USD)

Sri Lanka Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Kenya

Location

Address

Nairobi

L.R. No. 1/1102, Lenana Road, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya.

http://www.slhcnairobi.net

slhckeny@africaonline.co.ke

+254 20 387 2627

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
If you are heading to the west and south coast and hill country, December to March is the best time to visit Sri Lanka. If you plan on seeing the east coast, you will get the best weather from April/May to September.
What is Sri Lanka famous for?
Sri Lanka is famous for a wide array of shopping gems -- the most recognized one is sapphire. 
What vaccinations do I need for Sri Lanka?

Kenya travelers are advised to be vaccinated for yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A before setting out to Sri Lanka.

Can you drink the water in Sri Lanka?

Avoid drinking tap water in Sri Lanka. Although it is generally chlorinated and safe to drink, the unfamiliar micro-organisms it contains can easily precipitate a stomach upset.

What is the best thing to buy in Sri Lanka?

The best things to buy in Sri Lanka are gems and jewelry.