Is There a Medical e-Visa for Sri Lanka?

Not as an online e-Visa/ETA category — but Sri Lanka does have a dedicated Medical Visa, just not the kind you apply for through the ETA portal. There are two distinct paths depending on how long your treatment will take.

1. Short-Term Medical Treatment: Use the Tourist ETA

For short, non-emergency medical treatment — consultations, minor procedures, wellness or Ayurvedic treatments — the standard Tourist ETA is the correct and sufficient option. Sri Lanka's own visa guidance explicitly lists medical treatment, including Ayurvedic and yoga treatment, among the purposes covered by the tourist visa/ETA, alongside sightseeing and visiting family.

Can I use a Tourist ETA for medical treatment? Yes — select medical treatment as your purpose when applying.

How to apply:

1. Select the Tourist ETA when applying online.
2. Complete the application and pay the standard ETA fee (government fee plus processing fee — no separate medical surcharge).
3. Once approved, the eVisa arrives by email; print it for arrival.

2. Extended or Specialist Treatment: The Medical Visa (Residence Visa Category)

If your treatment requires a longer stay than a tourist ETA extension can reasonably cover, Sri Lanka offers a Residence Visa – Medical category, arranged through the Department of Immigration & Emigration or a Sri Lankan mission — not through the ETA portal.

Eligibility:

• Persons undergoing medical treatment in Sri Lanka
• One medical assistant/companion and dependents, in some cases

Typical supporting documents:

• Recommendation letter from the treating doctor or medical officer (including Ayurvedic practitioners)
• Medical report
• Proof of funds (bank encashment receipts, commonly cited around USD 1,500 per person per year)
• Health Protection Plan
• Passport and other standard residence-visa documents

This visa is renewable based on the doctor's recommendation.

Extension Process

If treatment runs longer than your initial Tourist ETA allows, apply for an extension through the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo or online — typically supported by hospital letters or a treatment plan. Extensions must be requested before the initial 30-day period ends; overstaying can result in fines or other penalties.

Important Notes

• The Tourist ETA covers short-term medical treatment but is not a specialized medical visa.
• For extended or specialist care, the correct pathway is the Medical Visa under the Residence Visa category — arranged in advance through the Department of Immigration & Emigration or the nearest Sri Lankan embassy/consulate, not through an online ETA application.
• Always obtain your ETA or residence visa through official channels before traveling.
• The longer or more involved the treatment, the more likely the Medical Visa — rather than an extended tourist stay — is the appropriate route. If in doubt, check with both your healthcare provider and the Sri Lankan embassy in advance.

Summary

There is no dedicated medical e-Visa in Sri Lanka. Short-term medical treatment is explicitly allowed under the Tourist ETA. Longer or specialist treatment requires a Residence Visa – Medical category, arranged in advance rather than through the online ETA system.

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