Fast, reliable and efficient visa service through ETA

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Authorities yesterday promised a fast, reliable and an efficient service for foreigners aspiring to visit Sri Lanka, through their new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system.

The ETA would grant prior approval for visas online for foreigners who visit Sri Lanka and for those who are on transit for short term requirements.

It would be efficient, reliable and simple Controller Immigration and Emigration Chulanada Perera told the media yesterday.

Under the ETA prior approval to visit Sri lanka is to be granted within 24 hours of applying for short term travel. But most applications will be approved in a much shorter time even within a couple of minutes if all details are correct and in order, an immigration official said.

This would avoid long delays at entry points. It would also allay anxiety of the visitors as they have got prior approval to enter the country, Perera said.

However visitors should note that this is not a visa, but only a prior approval to visit the country for a short term stay. A 30 day visa would be provided at the port of entry, he added. The new online system which grants prior approval for visas will be launched tomorrow where the date of its implementation would also be revealed.

Until its full implementation the current system where Sri Lanka provides Visas on arrival for nationals from 78 countries would prevail.

Only the Maldives and Singapore are exempted from prior approvals under the proposed system as Sri Lankans also enjoy the same facilities in those countries. The portal www.eta.gov.lk will be opened on Friday, and the new process will be applied after a reasonable time frame, Perera said.

Instructions to apply for prior approval would be available in nine international languages. However, applications should be forwarded only in English language. Six methodologies have been introduced to facilitate forwarding of the applications i.e. applications can be forwarded by the applicant him/herself by a third party on behalf of the applicant, through a registered agency, through Sri Lankan embassies or through the head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and a foreigner who was unable to obtain prior approval by the above procedures, can visit Sri Lanka after obtaining prior approval by forwarding the application and making the relevant fee to the counter established in Sri Lankan access point which he/she has landed in.

Only an administration fee has been suggested for this 'Electronic Travel Authorization ETA".

According to Immigration officials the new system is also expected to help authorities to improve efficiency in their existing border control system.