Sri Lanka has dropped the fees it charges on tourist visas for arrivals from 40 countries in a move aimed at bolstering its tourism appeal.
The new policy came into effect on Monday following a circular from the Department of Immigration and Emigration and allows visitors from the 40 countries to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) free of charge. The ETA is valid for 30 days and includes a “double-entry” clause, meaning tourists can depart Sri Lanka and return one-time during the visa period, although only for the number of days remaining under their 30-day allowance. That is, the 30-day visa does not reset.
The 40 countries in question are: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nationals of the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore are also entitled to the free ETA, with those from the Maldives receiving a 90-day visa under a reciprocal agreement with Sri Lanka.
The fee-free visa is seen as a means of reducing the financial burden of entering Sri Lanka while maintaining a screening process for arrivals.
Sri Lanka has been looking to tourism as a means of enhancing the local economy and last year welcomed the opening of its first integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, in Colombo.
The country is also in the process of formally establishing a new gaming regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), with a target date of 30 June 2026 set.
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