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Entry requirement · China passport

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Passport China
Destination Sri Lanka

China passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, so no application is needed before travelling.

Answer Visa on arrival

Visa on arrival

Entry requirement
Visa on arrival
Maximum stay
Check on entry
Apply before travel
No
Last updated
February 2026

Before you travel

Checked November 2026

At the border

  • Every foreign national, including those eligible for a free ETA, must obtain an ETA before arriving.
  • The free ETA is valid for 30 days from first arrival; staying longer requires a paid visa extension.
  • Nationals of some countries (e.g. Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan, Syria, Taiwan, Kosovo) must apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor at the Department's head office in Battaramulla.
  • Diplomatic and official passport holders on official duty from specified countries may get a visa without a prior ETA.

Recent changes

  • May 2026: from 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries get a free 30-day tourist ETA; fees paid before that date are not refunded.

Official source: Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka - Official ETA website · Not yet confirmed officially: eta.fee for nationalities outside the free list (official fee page did not load), eta.processing time, Visa on arrival / airport ETA option and fee ('alternative options' mentioned but not detailed), Passport validity, onward ticket and funds rules (not on the pages read), scamWarning: none found on the pages read

What China passport holders need to do

  1. Bring a passport with enough validity and at least one blank page.
  2. Have the visa fee ready, often in cash, plus passport photos if they are requested.
  3. Carry proof of onward travel and accommodation to show the immigration officer.

China is one of 191 passports in the “visa on arrival” group for Sri Lanka. See the full Sri Lanka visa requirements for every passport.

Other easy destinations in Asia for China passport holders

Sri Lanka is one of 38 destinations in the “visa on arrival” group for the China passport, which ranks #48 worldwide with a mobility score of 85. Of 49 destinations in Asia, 31 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.

DestinationRequirementMax stay
Armenia Visa-free 180 days
Azerbaijan Visa-free 30 days
Georgia Visa-free 30 days
Iran Visa-free 21 days
Kazakhstan Visa-free 30 days
Malaysia Visa-free 30 days
Maldives Visa-free 30 days
Palestine Visa-free –
Philippines Visa-free 14 days
Qatar Visa-free 30 days
Singapore Visa-free 30 days
Thailand Visa-free 60 days

All visa-free countries for the China passport

Frequently asked questions

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

China passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, so no application is needed before travelling.

Do Sri Lanka citizens need a visa for China?

Sri Lanka passport holders need to obtain a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travelling to China.

Sri Lanka visa requirements for other passports

Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of Sri Lanka before you book.