As a new policy direction of the country, this initiative has been taken forward by the government.With the aim of promoting tourism in Sri Lanka, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has implemented a new free visa scheme for citizens of 40 countries starting today. Under this program, eligible foreign travelers can visit Sri Lanka without paying any visa fees. The main objective of this initiative is to develop the tourism sector and increase the number of foreign arrivals to the country.
Countries Included in Sri Lanka’s Free Visa Scheme
This program applies to citizens of Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Officials also stated that travelers from the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore will continue to receive free entry processing as before. The cabinet approved this initiative on March 30, and Parliament later endorsed the amendments made to the immigration regulations.
Free ETA: New 30-Day Valid System Introduced
Under the new system, eligible foreign travelers can obtain a free electronic travel authorization (ETA) that is valid for 30 days. This permit also provides double-entry access. The Controller General of Immigration, I. Chaminda Pathiraja, stated that this system ensures a faster processing procedure and supports the growth of the tourism sector.He further noted that travelers who wish to stay in Sri Lanka beyond the initial 30-day period must apply for a visa extension by paying the required fee in accordance with immigration regulations. The government expects this new initiative to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism competitiveness and significantly increase the number of foreign arrivals in the coming years. Officials believe that the simplified digital visa system will make the country a more attractive destination for tourists while maintaining proper administrative control.
