Sri Lanka has set May 25, 2026, as the start date for its new free tourist visa scheme for citizens of 40 countries. Eligible travelers will still be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival.
Sri Lanka will grant free 30-day visas to nationals of 40 countries, but travelers will still need to apply for an ETA before departure.
After several announcements and months of waiting, Sri Lanka’s plan to offer free visas is back in the spotlight. The Cabinet has approved the measure’s submission to Parliament, which is expected to allow travelers from around 40 countries to benefit from a six-month ETA fee waiver.
Amid ongoing air travel disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, Sri Lanka is once again extending visas for stranded travelers. Authorities have also announced an extension of unused visas to accommodate delayed travel plans.
After several weeks of technical disruptions on the official Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) portal, approval notifications are once again being sent to applicants. A return to normal operations has been observed on the ground, even though Sri Lankan authorities have not, at this stage, issued any official statement confirming that the system has been fully restored.
As escalating tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt international air travel, several tourist destinations have decided to ease their visa requirements and strengthen assistance for travelers. From Sri Lanka to Indonesia, as well as the Maldives and India, authorities are rolling out multiple measures to safeguard visitors’ stays and prevent tourists from falling into irregular immigration status.
While the ETA platform remains affected by a technical issue, Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration has issued further clarification. Although most tourist and business travelers may still travel to the country despite not receiving formal approval, no exemption from the required pre-departure application process has been granted.
Sri Lankan authorities are currently dealing with a technical issue affecting the transmission of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA). Despite these delays, travelers who have already submitted their applications are permitted to travel to the country and will be assisted upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration announces the revocation of the measure that required all travelers to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure.
Promised to tourists from 33 additional countries, the waiver of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fees has not yet taken effect in Sri Lanka. According to local media, the measure has been delayed by legal hurdles and could be implemented “within one or two months”.
As the tourist season approaches, the Sri Lankan government is stepping up its efforts to strengthen infrastructure and simplify entry procedures. Among the top priorities are the streamlining of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and the improvement of passenger services at airports to ensure a smoother arrival experience.
As of October 15, 2025, travelers visiting Sri Lanka for short stays must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure.
Starting October 15, 2025, foreign travelers will no longer be able to obtain their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) upon arrival in Sri Lanka. The document, which is already required for most tourist stays, must be requested online before departure.
On July 25, Sri Lanka announced that 33 additional countries would soon be added to the list of travelers exempt from paying ETA visa fees. The news was widely shared, sometimes as if it were already in effect. But the measure has not yet been implemented, and travelers concerned must
Announced by the previous government, the policy of free entry visas to Sri Lanka for tourists from 35 countries did not come into effect on October 1. Recently reactivated, ETA authorization is still required, and fees are still charged. Last August, Sri Lanka unveiled a new measure aimed at attracting
