Free · Based on UK government guidance

Travel requirements for Sri Lanka

Everything a UK traveller needs to know before visiting Sri Lanka — passport and visa rules, recommended vaccines with lead times, and whether you need an International Driving Permit.

Required

Recommended

Consider

1949

IDP type

Entry requirements for Sri Lanka

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you arrive.

Visas

British passport holders normally need a visa (Other) to enter.

Source: UK Foreign Travel Advice — Sri Lanka. Always confirm the latest requirements before you travel.

Vaccines for travel to Sri Lanka

Based on NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro guidance for UK travellers. Lead times assume protection is needed on the day you arrive.

Tetanus / Diphtheria Recommended

Booster recommended if last dose was more than 10 years ago.
Chikungunya Consider

For ages 12+. Consider for outbreak regions, long-term or frequent travellers.

2 weeks before travel
Cholera Consider

For humanitarian workers, outbreak areas with limited water access, or high-risk occupations.

7 days before travel
Dengue Consider
Hepatitis A Consider

Recommended for those staying with locals, long-stay visitors, adventure/rural travellers, or those with underlying liver conditions.

2 weeks before travel
Hepatitis B Consider

Recommended for those with sexual/needle exposure risk, healthcare workers, and long-stay travellers.

3 weeks before travel
Japanese Encephalitis Consider

Recommended for 1+ month stays during transmission season, frequent travellers, or uncertain itineraries.

4 weeks before travel
Rabies (Pre-exposure) Consider

Pre-exposure for occupational risk, limited medical access, high-risk activities, or long stays (>1 month).

4 weeks before travel
Tuberculosis (BCG) Consider
Typhoid Consider

For those in poor sanitation areas or laboratory personnel.

2 weeks before travel

Source: NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro — Sri Lanka.

Driving in Sri Lanka

To drive in Sri Lanka with a UK driving licence, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

As well as the IDP, you must get a Sri Lankan recognition permit from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in Colombo.

IDPs are issued by PayPoint (no longer the Post Office) — find an issuing store.

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