Sri Lanka Offers Free Tourist Visas Policy To 40 Countries To Boost Economy

• Sri Lanka is increasing its free vacationer visa initiative to 40 worldwide locations starting July 2025.
• The coverage objectives to revitalize tourism and boost financial boost.
• Eligible vacationers will now now not pay visa utility bills, making visits more cheap.

In a fearless switch to revitalize its tourism substitute and stimulate financial boost, Sri Lanka has provided a form of its free vacationer visa initiative to encompass 40 worldwide locations, efficient from July 2025.

The updated coverage removes visa utility bills for eligible vacationers, making visits to the island nation more accessible and cheap. Whereas company are collected required to alter to on-line earlier than arrival, the conventional visa prices discover been eradicated.

Authorities describe the measure as a in actuality crucial fragment of Sri Lanka’s broader choice to rebuild its economy by boosting international tourism and lengthening international currency inflow, following years of financial strain.

On the initiating launched in 2023 with valid seven taking portion nations akin to China, India, and Russia the plan now encompasses key markets at some level of Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and the Heart East.

Amongst the newly incorporated worldwide locations are the United States, the UK, France, Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Australia, and South Africa. Though the official government gazette has yet to submit the fleshy list, legit sources verify these nations are fragment of this system’s growth.

How Vacationers Can Apply for the Free Visa

Voters from the 40 eligible worldwide locations can now alter to for a temporary vacationer visa with out payment. The utility process stays main and is carried out on-line by Sri Lanka’s Electronic Accelerate Authorization (ETA) machine.

Candidates must present very crucial trip documents akin to a sound passport (with as a minimal six months final), confirmed return flight tickets, and necessary ingredients of accommodation. Whereas a trip itinerary is now not mandatory, it’s advised.

In some cases, vacationers also can moreover be issued a free visa upon arrival, but officers say confirming eligibility upfront.

Visa processing most steadily takes 24 to Forty eight hours, so applicants are inspired to alter to just a few days before trip. The visa enables for a preserve of up to 30 days and is issued as a single-entry allow. Those wishing to prolong their consult with can alter to for up to 90 additional days by the Division of Immigration in Colombo.

Staunch-time updates on visa utility position are on hand by the ETA portal using the applicant’s passport and reference numbers.

It’s crucial to portray that the free visa is exactly for tourism and doesn’t allow for employment or long-time period space.

The Motivation Within the assist of the Coverage

Fixed with International Minister Vijitha Herath, the resolution to boost the visa-free entry program is designed to simplify trip and relieve more world company.

Though the country expects to forgo about $66 million in visa payment earnings, officers think this could be offset by elevated spending from tourists on services fancy hotels, transport, eating, and entertainment.

With the Sri Lankan rupee showing indicators of stabilization and the country offering steady mark for money, officers hope the sleek coverage will firmly attach Sri Lanka as one of essentially the most attention-grabbing trip destinations in the space.