Taking a cue from Singapore, the Sri Lankan government announces the immediate implementation of a visa-free policy for 38 countries.
Are we getting closer to resolving the “visa crisis” in Sri Lanka? We hope so, and so do tourists and travel professionals.
For the past month, following the suspension of its e-Visa system due to problems with its management by a foreign consortium, Sri Lanka has been issuing visas on arrival to its international visitors.
To simplify its entry procedures and attract more travelers, the country unveiled a few days ago an initiative of free visas for citizens of 35 countries starting October 1, 2024.
While waiting to find out whether this ease of entry to the island will result in the issuance of an e-Visa, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a Visa on Arrival free of charge, Sri Lanka today announced a new measure for entry into the country…
“Ease congestion at visa counters” upon arrival in Sri Lanka
On X (formerly Twitter), Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, declared on Monday September 2 that “the Cabinet authorized the President to implement visa-free access for 38 nationalities with immediate effect, adopting Singapore’s streamlined ‘one-chop’ approach”.
According to Ali Sabry, “this decision will help ease congestion at visa counters”.
Indeed, many Sri Lankan media are reporting today that long queues have been observed over the past few days at visa on arrival counters at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
“Today cabinet approved one chop system like in Singapore for the 38 countries with visa free to start with immediate effect , also have given president full authority to execute the operation, this will definitely help ease the congestion currently face by tourist”, adds former Tourism Minister and Presidential Advisor on Tourism Affairs Harin Fernando on X.
Interviewed by the Daily Mirror, Harin Fernando explains that “this indicates that the visa has been approved and authorised without the need for additional approvals or complicated procedures. This approach is designed to expedite the process making it quicker and more straightforward for applicants”.
38 countries (finally ?) exempt from visa requirements for Sri Lanka
Few information for the moment on this next “One-Chop” system, a simplified procedure notably set up by Singapore to facilitate and accelerate administrative formalities related to immigration, particularly with regard to visas and work permits.
In visa context, “One-Chop” refers to a process by which all the necessary formalities are completed in a single step, often by a single authority, and result in rapid approval.
While the previous statement listed 35 countries as eligible for free visas, the Sri Lankan authorities are now announcing a visa waiver for 38 nationalities, without specifying for the moment which nations will be eligible.
The 35 countries on the initial list “were” as follows:
- Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, 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 and the United States.
Free visa, exemption from visa formalities, definitive list of eligible countries, precise date of entry into force of these measures, … more information should be available in the next few days.
We are traveling there on sept 28th, 2 New zealand passport holders. Am confused as whether we need a visa before oct 1st or not. Cant seem to get an eVisa via website.
Dear Kieran,
You will need to obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka (50US$).
How about Malaysian travelling to Sri Lanka next month?
From my reading, it says free visa. Does that mean I don’t have to apply anything prior
Hi,
It is difficult to say with certainty what Sri Lanka’s visa policy will be in the coming weeks. We must wait for official communications that should arrive in the coming days.
So how does it work if the nationality ia not included? My boyfriend has Peru Passport and would require a Visa. If the Eta will not work, will it be Visa on arrival?
Dear Corina,
For Peruvian citizens, only visa on arrival is indeed currently possible.
Unfortunately this still has not taken place. Just arrived as an Australian and still had to pay the 50USD
Starts from October 1st if you read the article
what do Filipinos have to do? is it visa on arrival and how much does it cost?
what about residents of UAE regardless of nationality?
Dear David,
You can currently get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka for US$50.
how about Hong Kong?
And Croatians?
Srilankan need visa to enter bangladesh so do bangladesh need visa to enter srilanka.
Please announcement the Bangladesh Will be accept free Visa
Why not Pakistan
why Not Bangladesh
What about Pakistan? Pakistan still giving sri lankan 1 month visa on arrival
Why not Pakistan?
Why Romania has not been included into the 35 visa-free countries list?
We Romanians are very disappointed.
Around 40000 people from Sri Lanka currently work in Romania. Minister of Foreign Affaires, Ali Sabry, visited last July Romania and said :”We are looking improving opportunities in Romania for the Sri Lankans as well as Romanian tourists to come to Sri Lanka”.
Why not Pakistan?
How they forgot Pakistan support in the past and present?
I don’t think Sri Lankans are thankless and selfish.
But it’s a question mark?
Why not Norway?
Because Norway treat Sri Lankan’s visa applicants very badly asking them to provide dozens of documents to substantiate for a tourist visa and most of the visa applications are rejected by Norway.
WHY SHOULD SRI LANKA ALLOW NORWAY WITH VISA FREE ACCESS?
LET NORWEGIANS GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS THE WAY THEY TREAT SRI LANKAS.
Thank u! 💅
I am sick and tired of these entitled Norweigan colonizers thinking they can just come to sri lanka without any objection.