Sri Lanka Announces Visa-Free Entry For Tourists From India, UK And 33 Countries | Details

As per media reports, the Sri Lankan government has announced this new visa-free rule and is expected to be implemented from October onwards.

Citing the Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, Harin Fernando, local newspaper Daily Mirror reported that the Cabinet has approved the decision and will be brought into effect from October 1, 2024, onwards.

As per Fernando, this visa-free entry policy will be in place for the next six months.

Sri Lanka Visa-Free Entry For 35 Countries | Full List

1. India

2. UK

3. China

4. United States

5. Germany

6. the Netherlands

7. Belgium

8. Spain

9. Australia

10. Denmark

11. Poland

12. Kazakhstan

13. Saudi Arabia

14. the UAE

15. Nepal

16. Indonesia

17. Russia

18. Thailand.

19. Malaysia

20. Japan

21. France

22. Canada

23. the Czech Republic

24. Italy

25. Switzerland

26. Austria

27. Israel

28. Belarus

29. Iran

30. Sweden

31. South Korea

32. Qatar

33. Oman

34. Bahrain

35. New Zealand.

Sri Lanka's decision comes after a controversy erupted due to the hike in the fees for visa-on-arrival. This visa process was handled by a foreign company. Despite this controversy, the government had imposed a  the $50 fee for visitors obtaining a 30-day arrival visa.

A similar decision had been extended for tourists from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia to visit Sri Lanka and stay upto 30 days without a visa.

The aim behind visa-free entry is to help boost the economy through the tourism industry.