Sri Lanka Changes Visa Rules: Nigerians Must Apply in Person

Tourists planning to visit Sri Lanka will now need to apply for a visa on arrival due to the temporary suspension of the electronic visa (e-Visa) system.

However, Nigerians face an additional hurdle, as they must submit their visa applications directly at the Department of Immigration’s headquarters.

This new process replaces the previous online application option, which has been halted effective August 2, 2024.

For Nigerians, the suspension means they can no longer obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport. Instead, they are required to submit their applications through a representative at the Department of Immigration’s headquarters.

This change follows an interim order from the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, which invalidated the agreement under which VFS Global and its partners managed the e-Visa system. Consequently, the e-Visa portal (https://www.srilankaevisa.lk/) has been taken offline.

VFS Global announced the suspension, stating they had “been notified of certain interim orders issued by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today pertaining to the agreement under which this platform is operated.

In view of these orders, the website is suspended effective 2 August at 17:00 hours Sri Lanka Standard Time.”

Additionally, VFS Global confirmed that applicants who submitted their applications after the suspension will receive refunds. “For applicants whose visa applications are under process, if you applied on 2 August after 17:00 hours Sri Lanka Standard Time, you will receive a refund.

Please share your application reference number to travel.partner@srilankaevisa.lk,” the company stated.

The Supreme Court also ordered the reinstatement of the previously used Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) portal, operated by Mobitel, a Sri Lankan telecommunications company.

Other countries that cannot obtain a visa upon arrival and must ensure they have a visa before their arrival include Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria.

Background

In April, Sri Lanka replaced its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system with an e-Visa process managed by a consortium including VFS Global, GBS Technology, and IVS Global Services.

However, on Friday, the Supreme Court issued an interim injunction order suspending the e-Visa system and invalidating the Cabinet’s decision to delegate the management of the service to foreign companies.

The suspension aims to address allegations of procedural violations, corruption, and breaches of public trust during the contracting process.

The e-Visa suspension will remain in place until the court rules on the petition. In a circular, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) announced that the ETA system is expected to be operational “within the course of next week” and expressed pleasure about the re-establishment of the simple and user-friendly ETA system. SLAITO will keep its members updated on further progress.

Viyani Gunathilaka, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration to resolve the situation swiftly.