Sri Lanka has announced a new policy that will be very good news for travelers from 40 countries. The authorities have introduced free tourist visas, effective from May 25th, 2026. It aims to encourage more tourists to explore the island nation’s beautiful beaches, wildlife and cultural landmarks among many others.
Sri Lanka Launches Free Tourist Visa Initiative
We have provided the list of countries that are eligible for tourist visas to Sri Lanka below. If you find yourself an eligible traveler, then you can apply for the 30-day Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) without paying the visa fee. Please note that you still need to complete the online ETA application before your trip to Sri Lanka. Moreover, you are also allowed to have double entry during these 30 days.
- India
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- Japan
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- South Korea
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- the United Arab Emirates
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- New Zealand, and several other European, Asian, and Middle Eastern nations.
What Travelers Should Know
Be careful not to skip applying for the ETA because even though it has the tourist visa has become free, the ETA is mandatory. If you cannot find your country in the list of the 40 countries, then you will have to continue to follow Sri Lanka’s existing visa rules and pay the standard ETA fee.
Furthermore, if you want to extend your stay beyond the initial 30 days, you will need to apply for an extension upon arrival in Sri Lanka. And also note that the standard extension charges will apply depending on the length of your extended stay. Meanwhile, tourists from the Maldives continue to receive a 90-day ETA under the existing bilateral agreement. This policy has been announced to strengthen its tourism industry, making travel easier and more affordable for international visitors.
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