Destination 
Verified Sponsor Route, Requirements and Cost
Updated 9 July, 2026Taiwanese passport holders cannot use Sri Lanka's self-service online ETA, and are not covered by the free-visa scheme that began on 25 May 2026. A Sri Lankan sponsor files the application at the immigration head office, after which the traveller receives a 30-day visit visa.
Part of our full Sri Lanka travel visa guide.
Sri Lankan sponsor at the immigration head office
30-day Visit Visa with double entry
Does not apply to Taiwan
Reviewed by Rikas Hussain, Visa & Travel Manager, Arabiers Colombo
In short: Taiwanese passport holders need a visit visa for Sri Lanka and cannot use the self-service online ETA. Taiwan is not among the 40 countries in the free-visa scheme from 25 May 2026. A Sri Lankan sponsor files the application at the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office in Battaramulla, after which a 30-day Visit Visa is granted on entry.
Yes, a visit visa. Taiwanese cannot use the self-service online ETA.
Visa ruleNo. Taiwan is not among the 40 free-visa countries from 25 May 2026.
Not free schemeA Sri Lankan sponsor files at the immigration head office in Battaramulla.
Sponsor routeA government visa fee plus a sponsor service fee that varies by country of residence.
CostA 30-day Visit Visa (Tourist), via a Landing Endorsement.
30 daysOnly in some cases, depending on country of residence.
Depends
Yes. Taiwanese passport holders need a visit visa and use the sponsor route, not the online ETA.
Taiwanese passport holders require a visit visa to enter Sri Lanka and cannot apply through the self-service online ETA. Sri Lanka's immigration system lists Taiwan, shown as "Taiwan-China", alongside Kosovo and Syria in a separate category that must apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor at the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office in Battaramulla.
Taiwan is in the sponsor-route category and is not one of the 40 free-visa countries.
On 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka introduced a free 30-day tourist ETA for citizens of 40 countries, and China is on that list. Taiwan, however, is listed separately as "Taiwan-China" in the sponsor-route category, so Taiwanese passport holders are not covered by the free scheme and cannot use the self-service portal. A Sri Lankan sponsor must file the application at the immigration head office.
A sponsor files at the head office, a Landing Endorsement is issued, and the visit visa is granted on entry.
A confirmed return or onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months are required.
Two costs apply: the government visa fee and a sponsor service fee that varies by country of residence.
Because Taiwanese passport holders cannot apply themselves, the application is filed by a Sri Lankan sponsor, which carries a service fee in addition to the government visa fee payable to the Department of Immigration and Emigration. The sponsor service fee varies because the documents a Taiwanese applicant must provide depend on where they currently live, so it is confirmed for each case rather than fixed.
Prepare your passport, photograph, travel evidence and any country-of-residence documents requested.
A Taiwanese passport valid for at least six months from arrival, with a blank page.
A recent passport-style photograph.
A confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
Proof of accommodation in Sri Lanka.
A police clearance certificate, only if required for your country of residence.
Only in some cases. It depends on the applicant's country of residence.
A police clearance certificate is not required from every Taiwanese applicant. Whether it is needed depends on the applicant's country of residence rather than on Taiwanese nationality alone. The specific documents for a given case are confirmed when the sponsor prepares the application.
The visit visa is granted for 30 days from entry, with double entry, and can be extended.
The visit visa allows a 30-day stay from the date of entry, with double entry. Travellers who wish to stay longer can apply for an extension through the Visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, on payment of the applicable fee.
Yes. Taiwanese passport holders need a visit visa and cannot use Sri Lanka's self-service online ETA. A Sri Lankan sponsor files the application at the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office in Battaramulla.
No. The free 30-day ETA scheme that began on 25 May 2026 covers 40 countries and does not include Taiwan. Taiwanese passport holders continue to use the sponsor route through the immigration head office.
A Sri Lankan sponsor files the application at the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office. The department issues a Landing Endorsement, and the traveller receives a 30-day Visit Visa on entry, then attends the Visa Division to regularise it.
Two costs apply: the government visa fee payable to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and a sponsor service fee for filing the application. The sponsor fee varies with the documentation required, which depends on the applicant's country of residence.
Only in some cases. Whether a police clearance certificate is required depends on the applicant's country of residence, not on Taiwanese nationality alone.
The visit visa is granted for 30 days from entry, with double entry, and can be extended through the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
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