What is the minimum passport validity period required for entry into Sri Lanka?

Hello, regarding the passport validity for traveling to Sri Lanka, let me explain.

The simple and direct answer is: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

How is this "6 months" calculated? It's counted from the day you plan to arrive in Sri Lanka. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from that date.

For example, if you plan to fly to Sri Lanka on October 1, 2024, your passport's expiry date must be on or after April 1, 2025.

This rule is actually a very common requirement in international travel, not just for Sri Lanka, but for many countries. It's mainly to prevent issues if you encounter any special circumstances during your trip that require you to stay longer, only to find your passport has expired, which would be very troublesome.

There are two points you must pay special attention to:

1. Airlines will check! Before your departure, when you check in for your flight at the airport in your home country, airline staff will strictly verify your passport's validity. If your passport does not meet this 6-month requirement, they will not issue you a boarding pass, meaning you won't even be able to board the plane. So, don't take any chances.

2. Check in advance and renew promptly. Before booking flights and hotels, the first thing you should do is take out your passport and check its expiry date. If you find that there isn't much time left, quickly apply for a new passport at the immigration office, making sure to allow ample time for processing.

In summary, just remember this strict rule: your passport must be valid for more than 6 months from your date of entry.

Have a wonderful time in Sri Lanka!