04/04/2026
Sri Lanka will introduce a six-month programme granting free tourist visas to passport holders from 39 selected countries in a bid to boost the country’s tourism industry.
Approval for the initiative was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on July 21, 2025, with the government expecting the move to attract more visitors and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a leading travel destination.
Under the Immigration and Emigration Act, draft regulations prepared by the Legal Draftsman on the issuance of free visas will be presented to Parliament for approval.
The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and received Cabinet approval. Officials said the programme is expected to support the recovery and growth of the tourism sector by making travel to Sri Lanka more accessible and affordable for foreign visitors.
The selected countries, are as follows;
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.
(* Countries that already benefit from free ETA issuance)
