Sri Lanka Waives Tourist Visa Fees for 40 Countries

Sri Lanka's free tourist visa scheme came into force on May 25, 2026, following a long legislative path that saw the initiative proposed, delayed, and revised multiple times before receiving parliamentary approval on May 7, 2026. Citizens of 40 designated countries can now obtain a 30-day tourist Electronic Travel Authorization at no cost, down from a previous fee of $50 for non-SAARC nationals and $20 for SAARC nationals.

How the Scheme Works in Practice

The free visa does not mean visa-free entry. Travelers from eligible countries are still required to submit an ETA application online before arriving in Sri Lanka and must receive approval before boarding. What has changed is that the standard fee attached to that application is now waived entirely.

The ETA issued under the new scheme grants a 30-day stay with double-entry permission, calculated from the date of first arrival. All passport categories are covered: diplomatic, official, service, and ordinary. Fees paid prior to May 25, 2026 are non-refundable under the new framework.

A separate arrangement applies to Maldivian nationals under an existing bilateral agreement. They will receive a 90-day tourist visa through the ETA system at no cost, rather than the standard 30 days extended to other eligible countries.

The 40 Eligible Countries

The countries covered by the scheme 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, UAE, UK, and the US.

Additionally, Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration confirmed that ETA applications from nationals of Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore will also be processed free of charge under existing bilateral reciprocal arrangements.

Legislative Background

The scheme has a history of false starts. Sri Lanka's Cabinet first approved a version of the free visa proposal in August 2024, initially covering 35 countries and framed as a six-month pilot. That launch was delayed when parliament dissolved ahead of elections, leaving the measure without the statutory approval required under the Immigration and Emigration Act. The online ETA system, which had been suspended, was reinstated in September 2024 under standard fee conditions while the free visa proposal remained on hold.

A revised and expanded version covering 40 countries was approved by Cabinet on March 30, 2026, and subsequently endorsed by Parliament on May 7, 2026. The Department of Immigration and Emigration issued the implementing circular on May 19, setting May 25 as the effective date.

Revenue Trade-Off

The government has publicly acknowledged the fiscal cost of the measure. Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala informed lawmakers during the parliamentary debate that the scheme is expected to result in approximately $75 million in foregone visa revenue. Officials projected that the policy could attract an additional 247,000 tourists, which they argued would generate returns in broader economic activity that offset the direct revenue loss.

Sri Lanka recorded 2.36 million tourist arrivals in 2025. The government's stated target for 2026 is three million. First-quarter 2026 arrivals stood at approximately 708,000, reflecting year-on-year growth of around four percent.

Duration

The parliamentary approval granted under the Immigration and Emigration Act covers a one-year period. No announcement has been made regarding permanent extension or further expansion of the eligible country list beyond the current 40.