Sri Lanka Parliament Approves Free Visas for 40 Countries

Sri Lanka's Parliament Gives Approval to Free Visa Scheme

In late July 2025, Sri Lanka's government announced plans to waive visa fees for citizens of 40 countries, expanding significantly from the smaller group that previously benefited from fee-free visas. The objective being straightforward: make travel to Sri Lanka more accessible and affordable, particularly for long-haul travellers, as the country pushes to rebuild momentum in its tourism sector.

The move is part of an ambitious target to attract 3 million international visitors in 2025 and generate approximately $5 billion in tourism revenue. Tourism remains one of Sri Lanka's most critical foreign exchange earners, and easing entry requirements is seen as one of the fastest ways to stimulate demand.

Today, 7th May 2026, Sri Lanka's Parliament approved regulations under the Immigration and Emigration Act, to formally grant nationals of 40 countries access to a free visa facility for a one-year period.

The approval follows Cabinet sign-off on 30th March 2026, when the government approved the draft regulation and committed to bringing it before Parliament in April. That parliamentary vote has now taken place, marking the completion of the two key legislative steps required.

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala told lawmakers that the measure is designed to support the recovery of Sri Lanka's tourism sector. According to the minister, waiving visa fees is projected to cost around $75 million in government revenue, but authorities estimate the policy could attract an additional 247,000 tourists and generate $317 million in additional revenue, resulting in a projected net gain of $242 million.

Despite the parliamentary vote, no formal implementation date has yet been announced. You should monitor the official Sri Lanka ETA portal and/or Department of Immigration and Emigration website for confirmation of when the waiver will come into effect.

Which Countries Are Eligible?

The following 40 countries are eligible for the free visa facility:

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

China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand already benefit from free ETA issuance under existing arrangements.

What Is the Difference Between a Visa Waiver and a Fee Waiver?

This is not a visa waiver. Travellers are still required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel, but the fee itself will be removed. In practical terms, this reduces cost but does not eliminate paperwork or approval requirements. All standard eligibility criteria and security checks remain in place.

Minister Wijepala confirmed that the ETA requirement is being retained as a national security safeguard. The government does not intend to implement the measure in a way that creates a security risk, which is why pre-travel authorisation will continue.

Why Is Sri Lanka Introducing a Free Visa Fee Waiver?

Sri Lanka's tourism recovery has been uneven following recent economic and political challenges. While arrivals have improved, officials believe visa costs remain a barrier, particularly for budget travellers, backpackers, and families comparing destinations across Southeast and South Asia.

For price-sensitive travellers, even a relatively small visa fee can influence destination choice, especially when neighbouring countries offer simpler or cheaper entry. By waiving visa fees, Sri Lanka hopes to reduce upfront costs, encourage longer stays, and signal that the country is open for tourism again.

Key target markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Australia, as well as several Middle Eastern nations, all viewed as high-value or repeat-visit markets.

When Will the Free Visa Scheme Come Into Effect?

The scheme was originally due to come into effect in January 2026, but faced delays at both Cabinet and parliamentary stages.

Parliamentary approval was granted on 7th May 2026. However, no specific implementation date has been confirmed. Earlier reports from March 2026 pointed to technical issues with ETA approvals as a contributing factor to delays, and those issues may still need to be resolved before the online portal is updated to reflect the fee waiver.

The programme is approved to run for one year, with a review planned at the six-month mark to assess whether it should continue under the same terms.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will the free visa scheme actually start?

Parliamentary approval was granted on 7th May 2026. However, no implementation date has been confirmed. Check the Department of Immigration and Emigration Sri Lanka website and the official ETA portal for the confirmed start date before travelling.

Am I eligible for the free visa if I'm from one of the 40 countries?

If your country is on the approved list, you should be eligible once the scheme is formally implemented. Citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand already have free ETA access and will not see a change.

Do I still need to apply for a visa if fees are waived?

Yes. The scheme waives the ETA fee, but you still need to apply online and receive approval before travel. All security checks and eligibility requirements remain in place. The waiver removes the cost, not the application process.

Why has the implementation been delayed?

Reports from March 2026 pointed to technical issues with ETA approvals. Additionally, the draft regulation needed to pass both Cabinet and parliamentary approval before it could be formally implemented. Both stages are now complete, but the government has not yet announced an operational start date.

What is the difference between a visa waiver and the Sri Lankan free visa scheme?

A visa waiver means citizens do not need to apply for a visa at all. Sri Lanka's scheme is a fee waiver: citizens must still apply for and receive approval for a tourist ETA, but the processing fee is eliminated.

How long will the free visa scheme last?

The scheme is approved for one year, with a review at the six-month mark to determine whether it should continue under the same conditions.

Which countries already have free ETA?

Seven countries on the 40-country list already benefit from free ETA issuance: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand.

Will the free visa scheme apply to all types of visits?

The scheme covers tourist visas and ETAs for a 30-day visit. Business visas and other visa types are not expected to be included.

How do I apply once the scheme is live?

Once implemented, apply through the Sri Lanka ETA online portal or the Department of Immigration and Emigration website. The process remains the same; only the fee will be waived.

Has parliament approved the scheme?

Yes. Parliament approved the regulations on 7th May 2026. The scheme now awaits a confirmed implementation date and updated procedures on the official ETA portal.