All travelers to Sri Lanka are required to get a visa, either in advance or upon arrival. Unless they are exempt from acquiring one, the majority of tourists entering for tourism must acquire an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to secure a visa on arrival. However, certain inhabitants of certain nations must first get a visa to visit Sri Lanka, not only an ETA. All guests must have a passport that is valid for at least six months.
Reasons for Sri Lankan visa denials
For the following reasons, Sri Lanka often denies visa requests:
Errors in the visa application
Since the application form is what the consular official would look at before deciding whether or not to grant you a visa, it is essential to fill it out accurately. If you provide false information, such as misspelled names, false passport numbers, or invalid addresses, your visa application will be rejected.
Visa application for the wrong category
This is one of the most typical errors people make while filling out the paperwork for a visa application. There are several visa types available, depending on your purpose for visiting Sri Lanka. It is very important to learn about, choose the appropriate visa category on the application form, and submit the required papers. There are different criteria for each of the several visa classifications. Read the material completely and understand it before filling out the visa category. Give the category the proper papers and documents.
The supplied image doesn’t meet the standards
There is a certain format that must be followed each time passport images are submitted. It is essential to understand the requirements for passport photos. Inappropriate image sizes, the color of the background, the texture of the photographic paper, etc. may all lead to undesirable photos.
Missing papers
Before submitting your application, confirm the most updated requirements for your particular visa category and collect all required documentation. If any of these are missing, your application may be turned down. If you’re unclear about the requirements for these documents, you may consult with visa agents.
People from a sensitive country
The request for a visa to Sri Lanka could also be denied if the applicant is from a country where civil war, terrorist attacks, or political unrest is frequent. Or in other situations, including when countries have hostile relations with Sri Lanka or when citizens of the applicant’s country often overstay their visas.
Criminality record
The request for a visa may be turned down if the applicant doesn’t have a clear criminal history. A significant criminal past is a major contributing factor in visa denial. Minor offenses often don’t matter, especially if you’re only trying to get a tourist visa.
History of prior visas
A candidate’s application will also be turned down if they have a problematic visa history. If the applicant has ever overstayed a visa or been listed on a blacklist in Sri Lanka or any foreign country, this may be the situation.
Applicant’s medical conditions
The request for a visa could be denied if the applicant has a communicable disease. No nation wants to harbor diseases.
Inadequate resources
Another reason for refusal is the applicant’s inability to meet the financial requirements, which state that you must have sufficient funds available to pay your travel and living costs as well as those of any accompanying family members while you are in Sri Lanka.
There is no proof of accommodation
You must provide proof of your housing while applying for a visa to the nation. You must be able to prove that you have a place to stay while visiting Sri Lanka. Examples of documents for accommodations include a rental agreement, a hotel reservation, an invitation letter, etc. A letter of invitation is a formal statement from a friend or relative who invites you to stay with them.