© 2026 Evisa Rocket. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Evisa Rocket. All rights reserved.
Yes — Filipino citizens need an ETA. To enter Sri Lanka for tourism, Philippine passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they travel. The ETA is the country's online entry approval for most foreign visitors, and it replaces the need to queue at an embassy for a paper visa. Your airline checks the ETA before you board, so without an approved authorization you can be refused at check-in.
The tourist ETA covers the typical reasons Filipinos visit Sri Lanka — holidays, sightseeing, and visiting friends or relatives, including those connected through overseas work. It is requested entirely online, so there is no need to visit an embassy or consulate in Manila. You can review the destination on our Sri Lanka travel hub or go straight to the Sri Lanka ETA page.
This is the most important point for Filipino travellers in 2026. Since 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka has offered the tourist ETA free of charge to 40 listed nationalities. However, the Philippines is not on that free list, so Filipino citizens apply under the standard tourist ETA — the usual procedure and the usual official charge still apply. In short, the free-ETA news that travellers may have read does not change the process for Philippine passport holders.
| Feature | Free ETA (40 listed nationalities) | Standard ETA (applies to Filipinos) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | 40 nationalities on the official free list | Most other nationalities, including the Philippines |
| Official charge | Waived for the tourist ETA | Standard official charge applies |
| How you apply | Online, before departure | Online, before departure |
| Stay and conditions | Same tourist ETA conditions | Same tourist ETA conditions |
So Filipino travellers should expect the normal, straightforward standard ETA procedure rather than the free route.
The tourist ETA is required for every Filipino citizen travelling to Sri Lanka, regardless of age or reason for the visit. There is no group or family ETA: each traveller who will board the flight needs their own approved authorization tied to their own passport. This includes children and infants, even when they are travelling on a parent's itinerary.
The tourist ETA covers the usual reasons Filipinos visit Sri Lanka — island holidays, sightseeing across Kandy, Galle, the southern beaches and the tea country, honeymoons, and visiting friends or relatives. If your plans involve work, study, long-term residence or other non-tourism purposes, you should confirm the correct category before you travel, as the tourist ETA is intended for short visits.
Although the ETA is requested online rather than at an embassy, Sri Lanka still expects you to meet its entry conditions. Have the following ready before you apply, and keep them available for the airline and for immigration on arrival:
Because most flights from Manila reach Colombo with a connection through a Gulf hub or via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, apply early enough that your approval arrives well before your first departure.
For Filipino applicants, the tourist ETA is commonly approved within around 24 to 72 hours, with the confirmation sent by email and linked to your passport. To stay on the safe side, apply several days before your departure rather than at the last minute, especially as Manila itineraries usually include a connecting flight. If any extra information is requested during the review, respond quickly so your approval is not delayed. Keeping your confirmation email accessible — printed or on your phone — makes check-in straightforward.
Once approved, the tourist ETA typically allows Filipino travellers a stay of up to 30 days, with double entry permitted, and it must be used within its validity window. This means you can enter, leave on a short side trip, and return within the same authorization, provided your stay stays within the permitted period. The ETA is tied to the specific passport you used to apply, so if you renew or replace your passport, or plan a separate future trip, you will need to apply for a new ETA linked to the current document. If you wish to stay longer than the period granted, look into the extension options before your authorized stay ends.
An approved ETA gets you onto the plane, but the final entry decision is made by an immigration officer when you land in Sri Lanka. Be ready on arrival to present your valid Philippine passport with at least 6 months' validity, your approved ETA confirmation, a return or onward ticket, proof of confirmed accommodation, evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, and your onward travel details. Carrying these in an easy-to-reach folder — printed or on your phone — helps the arrival process go smoothly and quickly.
An approved ETA allows you to board your flight, but the final decision to enter Sri Lanka rests with the immigration officer on arrival. Present the same passport you used to apply, along with your ETA confirmation, and be ready to explain the purpose and length of your visit, where you will stay, and that you have the means to support your trip. Provided your documents are in order and consistent with your application, the officer will admit you and you can begin your stay — from the cultural sites of Kandy to the beaches of Galle and the tea country.
Every traveller needs their own ETA, including children and infants, because each one is linked to an individual passport. A parent or guardian can complete the application on a child's behalf using the child's own passport details. If you are travelling as a Filipino family, simply submit a separate application for each member, and make sure each child's accommodation, return ticket and supporting details are covered just as they are for the adults. Keep every family member's confirmation together so check-in and arrival stay simple.
Filipino citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit Sri Lanka for tourism. The ETA is requested online and confirmed by email, and it is checked by your airline before boarding. It is not a sticker visa and there is no embassy appointment.
No. Since 25 May 2026, the tourist ETA is free for 40 listed nationalities, but the Philippines is not on that list. Filipino travellers therefore apply under the standard tourist ETA, following the usual procedure with the usual conditions.
Because the Philippines is not on the free-ETA list, the standard official charge applies to the tourist ETA. If you apply through an assisted service, an optional service fee may be added for help completing the form, error checks and support. You can see the details on the application page before you submit.
The tourist ETA is commonly approved within around 24 to 72 hours, with the confirmation sent by email and linked to your passport. Apply several days before departure rather than at the airport, especially when your Manila itinerary includes a connecting flight.
The tourist ETA typically allows a stay of up to 30 days with double entry, used within its validity window. If you wish to stay longer than the period granted, look into the extension options before your authorized stay ends.
You need a Philippine passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, proof of sufficient funds and a valid email address for your ETA confirmation. Keep these ready for the airline and for immigration on arrival.
Yes. Every traveller needs an individual ETA linked to their own passport, including children and infants. A parent or guardian can apply on a child's behalf using the child's passport details, with the child's accommodation and ticket details included.
No. The ETA authorises you to board your flight, but the final entry decision is made by an immigration officer on arrival. Be ready to show a valid passport, your ETA confirmation, a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation and proof of sufficient funds.