Sri Lanka Introduces Free 30-Day Tourist Visas for 35 Countries

Starting October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka will offer free 30-day tourist visas on arrival to citizens from 35 countries, including the U.S., UK, Russia, India, and China. This move is part of a strategic effort to revive the nation’s tourism sector.

The visa fee, usually $50, will be temporarily waived during Sri Lanka’s peak travel season from December to mid-April. The government aims to attract 2.5 million tourists by the end of 2024, hoping to generate $4 billion in revenue.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has faced challenges in recent years due to political and economic instability. The visa-free program is seen as a way to draw back visitors, with hopes of reaching the record highs of 2018, when tourism contributed $4.4 billion to the economy.

However, the initiative has sparked some controversy. Earlier this year, the Immigration Department replaced the state-run telecommunications provider, Mobitel, with foreign companies to manage the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

Despite these issues, the travel industry is optimistic. Leaders believe the visa-free program will attract significant interest, similar to the success seen in other countries. With tourist arrivals already rising in 2024, this initiative could boost Sri Lanka’s tourism.

Below is the list of countries whose citizens will be able to get a free 30-day visa to Sri Lanka:

• India
• United Kingdom
• United States
• China
• Russia
• Germany
• France
• Japan
• Saudi Arabia
• Canada
• Australia
• South Korea
• Netherlands
• United Arab Emirates
• Italy
• Switzerland
• Spain
• Sweden
• Belgium
• Qatar
• Austria
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Israel
• New Zealand
• Denmark
• Kazakhstan
• Poland
• Czech Republic
• Bahrain
• Belarus
• Oman
• Thailand
• Nepal
• Iran

If your home country is included in the list, don’t miss the opportunity to explore one of Asia’s most enchanting destinations. Consider driving in Sri Lanka to visit sites of ancient ruins and other places of interest.

If you’re only visiting for a few days, you can go on a five-day Sri Lanka road trip to visit must-see attractions and more.