Starting October 1, 2024, and for 6 months, Sri Lanka will issue free 30-day visas to tourists from 35 countries.
The ETA portal has been reactivated (details here), but the free visa policy announced by the previous government did not come into effect on October 1 (details here).
Yesterday, the Sri Lankan authorities announced the introduction of a visa-free policy for tourists from 35 countries from October 1, 2024.
Today, the Cabinet of Ministers issued a statement clarifying that this visa-free regime will instead result in the free issuance of 30-day tourist visas to citizens of these countries.
“During the Council of Ministers held on 25/04/2024, the appointment of a committee of experts was approved to study and submit a report containing recommendations on the methods followed by other countries in issuing free tourist visas”, the Cabinet first explains.
The report of the Council of Ministers states that accordingly, the appointed committee of experts “studied and submitted a detailed report on eight countries competing with Sri Lanka in the field of tourism and the Honourable President presented the said report to the attention of the Council of Ministers”.
Finally, the Cabinet announced that in order to implement the recommendations of this committee of experts, and on the basis of said recommendations, “it was decided to give the approval of the Council of Ministers to issue, for a period of 6 months, free visas valid for 30 days from 01-10-2024 for a total of 35 countries”.
Which countries are eligible for free Sri Lanka visa ?
Since August 2, 2024, the Sri Lanka Electronic Visa (e-Visa) portal has been inoperative.
This suspension follows the issuance of interim orders by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka regarding issues with the allocation and management of the www.srilankaevisa.lk platform following its privatisation.
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has also ordered the return to the electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, previously managed by the country’s immigration.
Tourists who have entered Sri Lanka since the beginning of August are being issued a visa on arrival at the country’s entry points.
Return of the ETA or reactivation of the e-Visa system ? We hope to have a clearer picture by October.
Here is the list of countries whose citizens will be able to get a free 30-day visa to Sri Lanka starting October 1, 2024:
- 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, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.
Hello, I’m Nepali citizen and I’m planning to visit Srilanka on 3rd of October just want to know I can get on arrival visa or not.
We are arriving via cruiseship visiting two ports in Sri Lanka over three days. We are US citizens. How do we apply for the free 30 day visa, and will the visa cover two visits?
U.S.A is part of the thirty Countries that meet the free 30 days visa grace from Sri-lanka.
Hello! I am traveling to Sri Lanka in October 11th. I would like to stay more than 60 days but the info I found online is confusing. Do you guys know if it will be possible to extend the free-visa entry beyond 60 days? It looks clear that the free-visa entry can be extended once but my question is, any info about if further extensions will be possible?
I am an Indian passport holder residing in Saudi Arabia planning to travel to Srilanka in October first week. Can I get the visa on arrival at CMB? Should I have to make any documentation work before travelling?
Hi,
You can obtain a visa on arrival without specific documentation.
Hi – danish citizen here coming October 17th… do we need to bring cash in USD to pay for visa on arrival?
Can we get visa on arrival if coming there before 1st October for Nepalese citizens?? What are the requirements??
Hi,
If you arrive before October 1st in Sri Lanka, you must indeed obtain your visa on arrival and pay US$50
What about when you want to come to Sri Lanka before 1 October? The e-visa website seems to be down.
Dear Dylan,
You must apply for a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka.
As a UK citizen will the visa be issued on arrival?
so what happens if i want to stay 35 days (cheapest flight)
So what happens if someone wants to stay more than 30 days in Srilanka?Like 60, or 90 days.
Hi Marie,
We hope to find out soon 😉
Hi have you found out about visa for British citizens for 60 to 90 days?
Hi Marie,
No, currently a 30-day paid visa is issued upon arrival.
The country’s visa policies are expected to change next month.