Do South African citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Passport

South Africa

Destination

Sri Lanka

South Africa 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

What South Africa passport holders need to do

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

South Africa 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 South Africa passport holders

Sri Lanka is one of 33 destinations in the “visa on arrival” group for the South Africa passport, which ranks #43 worldwide with a mobility score of 98. Of 50 destinations in Asia, 26 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.

Destination	Requirement	Max stay
Georgia	Visa-free	360 days
Hong Kong	Visa-free	30 days
Israel	Visa-free	90 days
Macau	Visa-free	30 days
Malaysia	Visa-free	90 days
Palestine	Visa-free	–
Philippines	Visa-free	30 days
Singapore	Visa-free	30 days
Thailand	Visa-free	60 days
Armenia	Visa on arrival	–
Cambodia	Visa on arrival	–
Indonesia	Visa on arrival	–

All visa-free countries for the South Africa passport

Frequently asked questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

South Africa 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 South Africa?

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

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.