Sri Lanka Launches Free Tourist Visa Scheme for 40 Countries
Eligible visitors from 40 countries will get a free 30-day tourist visa with double entry, while ETA fees paid before May 25 will not be refunded.
- On Monday, Sri Lanka launched a free tourist visa scheme for citizens of 40 countries, effective immediately, allowing eligible tourists a 30-day stay with double-entry permission from date of first arrival.
- The Department of Immigration and Emigration confirmed the move on May 19 after Cabinet approval granted on March 30 and parliamentary endorsement, positioning the policy to benefit India, Sri Lanka's largest tourist source.
- Citizens of Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, previously exempt from the Electronic Travel Authorization process, now require the visa but have applications processed free of charge; Maldivian travellers receive 90 days under bilateral agreement.
- Despite the free visa benefit, all travellers must still obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before entry, and authorities confirmed no refunds apply to any ETA fees paid before May 25.
- India continues as Sri Lanka's largest inbound tourist source, positioning Indian nationals as the policy's primary beneficiary; the scheme eliminating visa fees for 40 countries aims to substantially accelerate tourism growth.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Sri Lanka to offer free 30-day on-arrival visa to tourists from 40 countries including India
Sri Lanka has announced a new travel facility that will allow visitors from 40 countries, including India, to receive free on-arrival visas. The move was confirmed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration on Monday. Under the new system, eligible tourists will be granted a 30-day visa when they arrive in Sri Lanka. The visa will also allow double entry during its validity period, starting from the date of first arrival. However, all trave…
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Sri Lanka brings free ETA for 40 nations, including India
With the objective of boosting tourism and easing travel formalities, Sri Lanka has rolled out a free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for visitors from 40 countries, including India, effective May 25, granting 30-day short-term entry with a double-entry facility. In a press statement, Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka says that the 40 eligible countries include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canad…
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