Entry and customs

 

Entry and import regulations for all citizens can change at short notice without the Foreign Office being informed beforehand. You can only obtain legally binding information and / or information going beyond this information on the entry and customs regulations for importing goods directly from the representatives of your destination country.

 

 

Travel documents

Passport: yes
Temporary passport: yes
Identity card: no
Temporary identity card: no
Children’s passport: yes
Comments / minimum remaining validity:

Travel documents must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.

 

Visa before entry

The visa can be applied for online in the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization System (ETA) before entering the country.
However, it is also possible to apply to a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission or a German tour operator.
When applying in the online process, please make sure that

that you use the official ETA website. There may be different fees when using other websites,
that all information is correct. The Sri Lankan authorities insist on issuing a new visa at the airport, for which fees are then charged again, even in the event of small errors (e.g. rotated numbers or accidentally entering the letter “O” instead of the number “0” in the passport number) .
Please also make sure that you state the correct purpose of the trip when applying for a visa. Travelers who misuse their visa for an undisclosed purpose of travel (e.g. doing business or attending conferences with a tourist visa) risk arrest and deportation.

Visa upon entry

For a surcharge, the visa can also be issued upon arrival at the airport. The fee for a visitor or business visa with a validity of up to 30 days for single entry is US $ 35. If the visa is issued upon arrival at the airport, the fee increases to US $ 40. Visas for transit travelers (valid for up to two days) and for children under the age of twelve are free of charge. Please note that applying for a visitor visa upon arrival at the airport may involve long waiting times.

Tourist visas are issued for a period of four weeks. Renewals of tourist visas are possible in exceptional cases and are extremely time-consuming. Early admission with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, 45 Ananda Kumaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 8, is strongly recommended (email: adcvisa@immigration.gov.lk).

Long term stays

A long-term visa can only be issued by a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission abroad. For detailed information on applying for a visa, as well as technical problems when applying for an ETA, please contact the relevant Sri Lankan diplomatic mission or consult the above. Website.

 

Minors

There are no known special regulations for the entry of minors.

If necessary, note the instructions for a declaration of consent for minors.

 

Import regulations

The import of local currency is possible up to an amount of 1,000 LKR, the bringing of foreign currency unlimited, but from a value of 10,000 US dollars a declaration must be made. The export of local currency is limited to 250 LKR, the export of foreign currency is possible up to the amount declared upon entry.

Foreign tobacco products are not allowed to be imported.

The import of articles made from protected animal and plant species is prohibited. The export of antiques (all objects that are older than 50 years) requires official approval.

The import and export of weapons and drugs are strictly prohibited.

 

 

Health

Current medical information
In January 2019, the WHO declared a lack of vaccination protection against measles a threat to global health. A review and, if necessary, supplementation of the vaccination protection against measles for adults and children is therefore urgently recommended at the latest when preparing for the trip.

 

Vaccination protection

People who are older than one year must have a valid yellow fever vaccination if they have been in a country with an increased yellow fever risk within 9 days of entering the country, see www.who.int. There are no vaccination regulations for travelers who only stayed in Germany prior to their trip to Sri Lanka.

The Federal Foreign Office generally recommends checking and completing the standard vaccinations according to the current vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute for children and adults on the occasion of every trip.
For adults, this includes vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), possibly also against polio (polio), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), influenza (flu), pneumococci and herpes zoster (shingles).
Vaccinations against hepatitis A are recommended as travel vaccinations and, in the case of long-term stays or at particular risk, against hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis.

 

Dengue fever

Dengue occurs seasonally across the country. The strongest outbreak to date was recorded in 2017. The west of the country with the capital region was particularly affected. The number of cases peaked in July 2017 and has been falling since then or has been adjusting to long-term trends.
Dengue is transmitted through the bite of diurnal mosquitoes. Fever, headache and body aches and a rash mark the course and can be mistaken for the symptoms of flu. In individual cases, severe courses with serious damage to health or death can occur. There is no vaccination and no effective medication against the dengue virus. Careful exposure prophylaxis is also indicated during the day, see also information sheet on dengue fever.

 

Chikungunya

Chikungunya infections can occur in the area at the same time as dengue. The viruses take the same route of transmission. That is why protection against mosquitoes through long clothing and repellants also applies here.

 

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is inflammation of the brain caused by viruses. These are transmitted by nocturnal mosquitoes. Pigs and waterfowl in particular are infected with the virus without getting sick themselves. Diseases in humans are rather rare, but then often turn out to be severe and leave lasting damage or be fatal. There are no effective drugs against the JE viruses. That is why careful mosquito protection and, if necessary, preventive vaccination are particularly important.

 

HIV / AIDS

Through sexual contact, intravenous drug abuse (unclean syringes or cannulas), tattoos or piercings and blood transfusions, there is a fundamental risk of HIV and hepatitis B infection. The use of condoms is always strongly recommended, especially with casual acquaintances and commercial sex.

 

Diarrhea and intestinal diseases

Diarrhea is common all year round across the country. Even in cities, tap water is not always of drinking water quality. It is recommended to only consume bottles or cans in the original packaging or to boil water thoroughly, filter it or sterilize it by counterosmosis. Outside of the capital, only treated drinking water should be used to wash fruit and vegetables or to brush your teeth. The consumption of raw, uncooked and unpeeled products should be avoided. Meat, fish and seafood should only be eaten well cooked. General hygiene measures such as regular hand washing or hand disinfection after using the toilet and before eating and keeping flies away from food can reduce the risk of infection.

 

Rabies

Rabies is a regularly fatal infectious disease caused by viruses that are transmitted with the saliva of infected animals or humans (by biting, licking injured skin areas or droplets of saliva on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes). Vaccination against a bite offers reliable protection against the disease. That is why a preventive rabies vaccination is of particular importance. It should be completed before departure. The immediate “refreshment”, which is also necessary after a bite, can then be carried out on site if necessary.

 

Geographical and climatic diseases

The intensity of solar radiation is often underestimated by vacationers. Good sun protection and adequate fluid intake must be ensured, especially for children and the elderly. Dangerous ocean currents repeatedly lead to tragic drowning accidents:
Pay attention to corresponding warnings on the beaches. Alcohol consumption should be avoided while bathing and swimming. Children should never play unsupervised on beaches. Beaches contaminated by animal excrement also harbor a risk of infection for parasitic skin diseases (larva migrans cutanea).
Adequate medical care, especially in emergencies or accidents, is not always and everywhere guaranteed.

Ayurveda

In the medical literature there are repeated reports about arsenic and heavy metal poisoning from Ayurvedic drugs. The media have also reported individual cases from Sri Lanka in recent years. It is strongly advised not to take any uncertified Ayurvedic medication during Ayurvedic treatments and to ensure that neither arsenic nor heavy metals are used as active ingredients.

Medical supplies

Medical care is sufficient to good in the big cities and tourist centers, but not all of them meet European standards. In Colombo, medical care in individual specialist areas is also at a high to very high level. Adequate and valid health insurance, including repatriation insurance, is urgently recommended. Travelers should bring sufficient amounts of medication to be taken regularly with them to Sri Lanka and have their doctor certify them in English for entry.

 

 

In addition to our general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.

The details are:

intended for the information of medically trained. They are not a substitute for the consultation of a doctor;
Tailored to direct entry from Germany to a travel destination, especially for longer stays on site. For shorter trips, entries from third countries and trips to other areas of the country, deviations may apply;
always to be seen depending on the individual circumstances of the traveler. Prior, detailed medical advice from a doctor / tropical medicine specialist is recommended on a regular basis in the given case;
in spite of the greatest possible effort, only one advisory offer. They can neither cover all medical aspects, nor eliminate all doubts, or always be completely up-to-date.

 

© 1995 – 2019   Ministry of Foreign Affairs