Can I extend my stay in Sri Lanka beyond the 30-day limit?

Yes. A Sri Lanka ETA allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days. However, if you wish to extend your stay for more than 30 days, you can apply for a visa extension at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. The extension may or may not be granted depending upon the purpose of your stay, whether the Department of Immigration is convinced that you intend to return to your original country after your stay in Sri Lanka.

The short-term visit visa may be extended a maximum of up to 270 days from the date of arrival in three consecutive instances as granted 30 days on entry, 60 days at first extension, and 90 days for second and third instances. Before applying for a visa extension, you should check the requirements to prepare enough documentation as well as fees.

Note that you can extend your stay in Sri Lanka with a tourist visa and a business eVisa. The transit electronic visa cannot be extended. Sri Lanka Immigration Services strongly advise you to request a visa extension before your visa is set to expire to prevent penalties and hassles. If your stay exceeds the validity of your visa, you risk having your extension request denied, or even being detained.