The free visa scheme for 40 countries should have launched in January 2026.
Last Updated: 18th March, 2026 - Article updated for accuracy with new sources.
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 is 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.
According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, the Cabinet has already approved the proposal to eliminate visa fees for travellers from the expanded list of countries. If implemented, this would position Sri Lanka more competitively against regional rivals such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, many of which already offer visa-free or low-cost entry options.
Key target markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, as well as several Middle Eastern nations, all of which are viewed as high-value, long-stay, or repeat-visit markets.
It’s important to clarify an often-misunderstood detail: this is not a visa waiver. Travellers would still be required to apply for a tourist visa or ETA, but the visa fee itself would be removed. In practical terms, this reduces cost but does not eliminate paperwork or approval requirements.
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 ultimately signal that the country is 'open for tourism' again especially following the recent flooding.
It was due to come into effect in January 2026. While Cabinet approval has reportedly been granted and discussions are ongoing at ministerial level, Sri Lanka’s government has not announced a specific start date for the free visa scheme. According to a recent edit on Wikipedia, an article on VisaNews 2nd March 2026, reported significant delays to ETA approvals being sent, indicating technical issues that could be behind the change.
There have been no recent changes on either the Sri Lanka ETA or Department of Immigration and Emigration Sri Lanka websites.
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