Sri Lanka has just announced an immediate visa-free policy for travelers from 38 countries. This decision follows a month-long period during which Sri Lanka issued visas on arrival due to issues with its e-Visa system, which a foreign consortium had managed.
The suspension of the e-Visa system, aimed at streamlining the new visa-free process and reducing confusion, means that the previously available e-visa options—such as double-entry for up to 30 days (extendable to 60 days) and transit entry for up to two days—will no longer be offered.
Sri Lanka initially planned to drop the visa requirements for these countries on October 1. However, following some discussion, it was decided that visa-free access will have immediate effect starting today, September 3, 2024, VisaGuide.World reports.
Today, the Cabinet authorized the President to implement visa-free access for 38 nationalities with immediate effect, adopting Singapore’s streamlined ”one-chop” approach. This decision will help ease congestion at visa counters.
35 Countries That Are Eligible to Travel Visa-Free to Sri Lanka
While the previous announcement mentioned a visa waiver for 35 countries, Sri Lankan authorities have expanded the policy to include 38 nationalities, though they have yet to specify which additional countries are covered. The original list of 35 countries eligible for free visas includes:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Czechia
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Poland
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
Regarding the decision, Experience Travel Group described the move as excellent news for UK travel companies.
Sam Clark, co-founder and director of the Asia-focused tour operator, said British holidaymakers can now visit Sri Lanka without needing a visa. According to Clark, this change means that visitors to the UK will not have to secure an ETA in advance or wait in visa queues at the airport.
Sri Lanka Excludes 9 Countries From Visa-on-Arrival Policy
Citizens from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoired’Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria are not eligible for visa-on-arrival in Sri Lanka. These applicants must submit their visa applications directly to the Immigration Department’s headquarters through a representative.
In April 2024, Sri Lanka raised visa fees for non-SAARC nationals to $75. However, following feedback from tourism leaders, this increase was reversed a month later, restoring the fee to $50.