Business travel to Colombo, planned from Pakistan
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and port. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have had a free trade agreement since 2005, and Pakistani companies go there for apparel and textile buyers, tea traders, pharmaceutical distributors, rice and cement trade, and shipping.
Colombo for business travellers from Pakistan
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tourist ETA | Pakistani nationals can get a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days, but it is not for business. |
| Business ETA | US$30 for South Asian nationals. It cannot be applied for online or on arrival; apply through a Sri Lankan mission or the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. |
| In Pakistan | The Sri Lanka High Commission in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi. |
| Airport | Bandaranaike International (CMB) in Katunayake, about 35 km north of Colombo. |
| Flight time | About 4 to 6 hours, direct or with one stop. |
| Time zone | Half an hour ahead of Pakistan. |
| Money | Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops. |
Business ETA, not the tourist one
Sri Lanka gives Pakistani nationals a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days, and it is tempting to use it for a short business visit. Don’t. Meetings, negotiations and trade fairs need a business ETA, which costs US$30 for South Asian nationals and is issued through Sri Lankan missions, including the High Commission in Islamabad, or by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. It cannot be obtained online or on arrival.
Apply with a letter from your company and the invitation from the Sri Lankan host, stating the purpose and dates of the visit.
What Pakistani companies do in Colombo
Sri Lanka’s apparel industry makes clothing for global brands and buys fabric and yarn from the region, including Pakistan. Colombo is also the centre of the tea trade, and the port is a transhipment hub for South Asia. The free trade agreement between the two countries gives duty concessions on many products, which matter for rice, cement, pharmaceuticals and textiles.
- Apparel buyers and sourcing offices
- Tea traders and auctions
- Shipping and transhipment
Where business happens
Colombo’s business areas run along the coast:
- Colombo Fort for banks, the port and government offices
- Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) and Colombo 7 for corporate offices and embassies
- Port City Colombo, the new reclaimed district, for financial services
- The BMICH for conferences and exhibitions
- Katunayake and Biyagama export zones for factories
Getting around and meeting culture
The expressway links the airport with Colombo in about 30 to 45 minutes. Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing are common in the city. Meetings are polite and relationship-based; English is widely used in business. It is warm and humid all year, with monsoon rains in May to September and October to January.
How Go Global manages a Colombo trip
Visa plan
We prepare the business ETA through the right Sri Lankan mission.
Flights
Direct or one-stop routes.
Hotels
Near your meetings in Colombo.
In Sri Lanka
Transfers and visits to export zones.
After the trip
One invoice and a trip record.
Colombo business travel questions
Can I use the free tourist ETA for business?
No. Business visits need a business ETA, issued through a Sri Lankan mission or the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
How much does the business ETA cost?
US$30 for South Asian nationals, according to the official ETA fee table.
Can I get a business ETA on arrival?
No. It must be obtained before travel.
Is there a trade agreement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka?
Yes. A free trade agreement has been in force since 2005.
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Planning a trip to Colombo?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.