Does Sri Lanka require proof of onward travel?
Yes — commonly checked
Travellers to 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka are typically asked at ETA application and on arrival. The Sri Lanka ETA requires a confirmed return or onward ticket.
Safety advisory: Exercise caution · official advisory ↗
What to have ready
An onward flight is the safe answer — dated inside your permitted stay, with a booking reference the airline can verify · official source ↗ · entry requirements (Gov. of Canada) ↗. Airlines carry the fines when a passenger is refused entry, so the strictest check usually happens at check-in, before you board.
Don't fabricate a booking — a fake or edited itinerary can be treated as document fraud. If you're travelling one-way, use a real, verifiable reservation.
Before you travel
Travelling one-way to Sri Lanka? These sort it in minutes.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka?
See your visa verdict, the best months, holidays and costs — personalised to your passport.
Who can enter Sri Lanka visa-free → Open the trip planner