Sri Lanka Announces Visa-Free Entry for 35 Countries Starting October 2024

Starting from October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka will be opening its doors to visitors from 35 countries, such as the US, UK, and India, allowing them to enter without the need for a visa.

This initiative aims to simplify the travel process and boost tourism in the country over a period of six months. While e-visa services will be temporarily halted, Sri Lanka will continue to provide free tourist visas to travelers from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Russia, India, and Japan.

The decision to grant visa-free entry to nationals from 35 countries, including major tourism markets like the US, the UK, and India, is expected to have a positive impact on Sri Lanka's tourism industry. Visitors under this new policy will be allowed to stay in the country for up to six months, starting from October 1, 2024.

The visa-free entry policy was approved by the Sri Lankan Cabinet with the goal of simplifying entry procedures and attracting more international tourists. Harin Fernando, advisor to the Ministry of Tourism, confirmed that a wide range of countries will benefit from this new policy.

A comprehensive list of countries, such as China, Germany, the US, the UK, and India, are included in the visa-free entry program. For the complete list of nations eligible for visa-free entry, you can visit the official website of the Sri Lankan government or contact the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your country.

United Kingdom
India
United States
China
Netherlands
Germany
Spain
Belgium
Denmark
Australia
Kazakhstan
Poland
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia
Nepal
Thailand
Russia
Japan
Malaysia
Canada
France
Italy
Czech Republic
Austria
Switzerland
Belarus
Israel
Sweden
Iran
Qatar
New Zealand
South Korea
Bahrain
Oman

Free Tourist Visas for Select Countries

In addition to the recently implemented visa-free policy, Sri Lanka continues to offer free tourist visas to travelers from certain nations. Visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Russia, Japan, and India are among those eligible for these free tourist visas.

Recognizing Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of select countries are exempt from the visa requirement when entering Sri Lanka. Travelers must meet specific conditions, such as possessing a valid passport, having sufficient funds for their stay, and holding a return or onward ticket. This visa-free entry simplifies travel by allowing eligible visitors to explore Sri Lanka without the hassle of a lengthy visa application process.

How Does Visa-Free Entry Work?

Citizens of eligible countries can enter Sri Lanka without a pre-approved visa through visa-free entry. Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, they will receive a tourist visa after passing through immigration.

Passport Requirements:

To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.

No Pre-Arrival Visa:

You do not need to apply for a visa in advance.

Immigration Upon Arrival:

Upon arrival at the airport in Sri Lanka, you will need to present your passport and go through immigration procedures.

Tourist Visa:
A tourist visa will be issued to you upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Background and Prior Opinions
Concerns about increasing costs for on-arrival visas led to the introduction of the new visa-free policy. Previously, Sri Lanka offered free tourist visas to visitors from China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Stopping E-Visa Services
In a related development, Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended its e-visa program to streamline the visa-free entry process. Travelers from the 35 listed countries meeting the eligibility criteria can enter without a visa during this period. This temporary suspension aims to simplify the entry process for tourists and promote the newly implemented visa-free program.

Final Thoughts
By offering visa-free entry and temporarily halting e-visa services, Sri Lanka aims to attract more foreign tourists by making travel to the country more convenient and accessible.