Last July, the Sri Lankan government announced plans to extend its free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program to 33 additional countries, as part of an initiative to simplify entry procedures and boost the country’s appeal as a tourist destination.
This expansion was meant to build on the existing exemption already granted to citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand.
However, several months after the announcement, the measure has yet to take effect. Travelers from countries such as the U.S., the U.K., France, Belgium, Canada, Australia, and South Korea, who were expected to benefit from the policy, must still pay US$50 to obtain their ETA before visiting Sri Lanka.
But according to local media, that could soon change…
Free ETA for Sri Lanka: legal clarifications still pending
As reported by the Sri Lankan outlet EconomyNext, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath explained yesterday, following the Cabinet meeting, that the implementation of the free ETA program still requires parliamentary approval.
“We have to submit the new gazette notification to the parliament. After that we will implement that process,” the minister said.
According to Vijitha Herath, the free ETA initiative could be finalized by the end of the year. “We expect to finalize it within one or two months,” he added.
The minister also revealed that the government is still awaiting guidance from the Attorney General regarding a legal case linked to the former e-Visa system…
A complicated transition between visa systems
Still quoting EconomyNext, Vijitha Herath stated that the authorities “are waiting for some clarification from the AG because the case on the previous online visa scheme is still not finished. There is some legal advice required related to revenue when we go for a free visa scheme.”
This legal issue has delayed the publication of the official gazette needed to put the free ETA policy into effect, amid a complex transition period for Sri Lanka’s electronic visa management.
The “former former” long-standing ETA system had been temporarily replaced in April 2024 by a privately operated e-Visa platform.
That system was suspended just four months later, after which the government reinstated the official ETA portal following audits and investigations into the financial management of the previous contract.
Who will qualify for the future free ETA?
Since the reactivation of the official eta.gov.lk website, the system has been fully operational, and as of October 15, 2025, obtaining an ETA prior to travel is mandatory for all visitors.
According to official announcements, citizens of the following 33 countries are expected to qualify for the ETA fee exemption:
- Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.
This list may be subject to change before the free ETA policy officially comes into effect. Until the new regulation is published in the Government Gazette, travelers remain subject to the standard ETA fees and must complete the mandatory pre-departure authorization process.
