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 system (e-Visa). However, Nigerians must submit their applications in person at the Department of Immigration’s headquarters.
The e-Visa system was halted on August 2, 2024, replacing the previous option of applying online. As a result, Nigerians are unable to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport and must go through the in-person application process.
This change follows an interim order from the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, which invalidated the agreement with VFS Global and its partners, who managed the e-Visa system. Consequently, the e-Visa portal (https://www.srilankaevisa.lk/) has been taken offline.
VFS Global announced, “We have been notified of certain interim orders issued by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka pertaining to the agreement under which this platform is operated. In view of these orders, the website is suspended effective August 2 at 17:00 hours Sri Lanka Standard Time.”
The company also stated that applicants who submitted their applications after the suspension will receive refunds. “For applicants whose visa applications are under process, if you applied on August 2 after 17:00 hours Sri Lanka Standard Time, you will receive a refund. Please share your application reference number at travel.partner@srilankaevisa.lk,” VFS Global said.
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, the Supreme Court’s recent interim injunction invalidated the Cabinet’s decision to delegate the management of the e-Visa service to these foreign companies, leading to the current suspension of the system.
