Is way less cumbersome than applying for an India tourist visa. No expensive shuttles to the embassy, no long queues (actually, no queues at all!). And like India, Sri Lanka provides visa on arrival to Filipinos as well.
However, we chose to apply for a visa beforehand, by reason of preventing a possible immigration hassle.
The Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is conveniently located along Legaspi Street in Makati, not in some village with ridiculously high security. It’s situated in Corporate Plaza Building, so remember to bring a photo I.D. to leave at the reception.
We brought the following requirements:
1. Passport
2. 2 passport sized photos
3. Return ticket
4. Bank statement
5. Marriage Certificate (could be asked if you present a joint bank statement)
* They might also ask for an employment certificate.
I fondly sniffed the aromatic blend of old office building scent and incense smoke fragrance as we entered the embassy. Aside from the secretary who receives/makes calls every so often, the whole office is unhurried.
After jotting our names on the logbook, we were led to a room where a Sri Lankan officer assisted us. She gave us forms (which looked very, very, very old) to fill out. She gleefully chatted with us and suggested a few destinations while we wrote our details (Note: You should provide accommodation details, be ready with a hotel name).
We paid P1,600 each for the visa. Then she provided us with a stub to present on the release date (three business days after).
It’s that easy! Life’s been hectic since our trip to Incredibly India three weeks ago. Time for some R & R in Refreshingly Sri Lanka…
At the time of writing, Sri Lanka still grants a 30-day on arrival visa to Filipinos. But as stated on their website, “on arrival visas will be granted only for genuine bona fide tourists at the sole discretion of the authorities at the port of arrival”. Further more, the “passenger should possess return air ticket, sufficient foreign exchange to cover the period of stay and any other requirements stipulated by the immigration authorities”. So there, you guys might be interested in applying beforehand as well.
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Adress:
Corporate Plaza Building 7th Floor
150 Legaspi St.
Tel. No. (02) 812 0124-25
E-mail: slembmanila@pldtdsl.net
Tip: Building is near Dela Rosa Street.
yeeeha! thanks for this gay. super kinakabahan ako kasi kung voa ako. baka pabalikin ako ng di oras. 😀
I noticed na parang di naman strict ang Sri Lanka immigration officers, but better be safe kasi minsan lang ang vacation 🙂 Excited for you guys!
wow! madali lang pala magprocess ng visa sa kanila.
super helpful nitong mga info na to gay. thank you! 🙂
Yup, very easy. Hope you get to visit Sri Lanka someday Doi. Ganda 🙂
kakabasa namin ng entries ng fellow PTB biglang napaparami ang nasa bucket list namin. baaaadddd! hahaha!
but this totally made my day, knowing how easy procuring a Sri Lanka tourist visa is:-D
Haha! Just keep adding destinations sa bucket list, yung akin naguumapaw na!
thanks for the info gay. now i have to google what’s in sri lanka to see 🙂
by the way, awesome header 🙂
You’ll find a few you might like, Olan. Glad you dig the header as well 🙂
Hi! I love your blog!!!Very helpful…
By the way…what airline did you use? Can you tell us how much?
ty!!
More Power!
Thanks! We flew Manila-Kl then KL-Colombo, and did the reverse route going back. We spent P6,000 each for 4 flights, but we got them on sale 🙂 Will post more details on my next article!
very nice, Gay! Di naman pala ganun kahirap! and good thing, i asked an agency before to quote me visa for Sri Lanka, the price was so much higher. madali lang pala pag ikaw na mismo mag-apply. thanks!
Yeah, usually ang minimum na patong ng agencies is P500. Pocket money din yun!
I read the Not-So Refreshingly Sri Lanka first bago tong post na to, kung gaano ka easy mag aplay ng visa,yun naman ang pagod nyo pagdating ng Sri Lanka.
Ellen, you can say that again! Extremes ang difference.
hi pinay! san ung cheaper na airline ticket and usually how much ito? thanks…
Hi Anonymous! We flew with Air Asia, read here: https://www.pinaytraveljunkie.com/2011/04/not-so-refreshingly-sri-lanka.html
Hola bff!!!!:) Thanks for this very helpful post. 1,600 for the pre-applied visa, mahal.Do you pay the same amount if you opt for VOA?
Hey gurl! Ron (Flip Travels) got thru via VOA. I don’t think he paid anything. Ask him to be sure, maybe bring proof of financial chorva if you wanna do the same thing 🙂
Hi! Thanks for sharing info. Planning a trip in November. Question – for bank statement, is there a minimum required amount for this?
magkanu po b minimum am0unt na required xa bank statement?
Hi there, when we applied for a visa, there was no specific minimum amount asked.
Hi,
We can apply for an electronic travel approval (eta) or evisa to sri lanka. They dont need bank statements though.
🙂
im planning to take kl to colombo to maldives then fly back directly from maldives to manila. is it hassle free to fly from colombo to maldives? what are requirements? thank you.
Hi Ivy! Have your read my “Backpacking Maldives” post? Travelers might be asked for proof of sufficient funds (we were not asked for this though).
Hi, kukuha po sana ako ng visit visa, puntahan ko tatay ko.. bago ba pumunta sa embassy mag papa schedule pa ? Mag tatanon lan najoaman ako ng reqts. Para makakuha ng visit visa..
hi mag vacation ako itong september sa pilipinas at mag visit sa srilanka magkano ho ba ang ticket sa september at october may cheaper ba na airline ticket sa manila to srilanka?pwd ba makakuha ng visa sa airport ng manila agad or need pa puntahan ang embassy ng srlanka sa manila?i need to know the corectly details what i have to do to visit srilanka becuz ths september myvacation to philippine and to visit to srilanka thanks?