Sri Lanka is set to welcome travelers from 35 countries with open arms, as the island nation is introducing visa-free entry for a six-month period starting October 1, 2024. This significant move, aimed at boosting tourism and strengthening ties with key partner nations, will grant citizens of countries like India, the United Kingdom, and the United States the freedom to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse beauty without the hassle of visa applications.
The Sri Lankan Cabinet, led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, has approved this visa-free access policy. The decision comes as a welcome development, especially for Indian travelers who have historically been a major source of inbound tourism for Sri Lanka. In September 2023 alone, India contributed over 30,000 arrivals, comprising 26% of the total tourist influx.
The list of countries benefiting from this visa-free access includes: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the UAE, the UK, and the US.
This move builds upon a successful pilot project initiated in October 2023, which granted free visas to travelers from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand until March 2024. The positive response to the pilot project likely contributed to the decision to expand visa-free access to a wider range of countries.
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Ali Sabry, had previously emphasized the country’s strong relationship with India, calling it ‘one of the most important in our foreign policy’. This visa-free access initiative further strengthens these ties, paving the way for greater cultural exchange and economic collaboration between the two nations.
This move comes after a period of controversy surrounding increased fees for on-arrival visas in Sri Lanka. The new visa-free policy aims to simplify travel procedures and make Sri Lanka a more accessible destination for tourists from around the world.
