It is our standing policy to facilitate timely and smooth issuance of visas to all Sri Lankans. It may be noted that Sri Lanka is also one of the many countries around the world whose citizens can avail of the E-visa facility for travel to India. However, those citizens of Sri Lanka who choose to apply at the High Commission are required to apply online and submit their applications to the Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC), which are located in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Hambantota and Batticaloa.
As regards those Sri Lankans who travel to India for pilgrimage, including to Buddhist pilgrimage sites, visas are facilitated and issued swiftly. Wherever possible, if these applications are recommended by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs, these visas are issued on a Gratis basis for groups of 10 pilgrims and above. For a brief period, due to a change in the visa outsourcing agency working for the High Commission of India, this practice was discontinued. After the selection of the new service provider, which has started working from 07 July 2026, the practice of issuing Gratis visas for Sri Lankans on pilgrimage is being reintroduced. As was the practice earlier, these requests should be forwarded by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs. These visas can be applied for as a group of 10 or more, and applicants are required to visit ICAC as a group or individually as is convenient for the purposes of capturing their biometrics. This is a mandatory requirement under the new regulations of the Government of India. However, biometrics are required for people between the ages of 12 and 70 only.
As regards other senior citizens visiting ICAC for their biometrics, special and expedited process has been instituted to keep their waiting time to the minimum possible. Capturing biometrics will ensure that their passage through Indian Immigration on arrival in India is smooth and convenient.
