People wishing to travel to Sri Lanka can now benefit from a 180-day stay. This change concerns the authorization issued in the form of an ETA. This is good news from Sri Lanka's Ministry of Tourism and Territories. There are several reasons for the government's decision to extend the validity of the electronic visa. Find out more here.
Reasons for extending the validity period
The decision to increase the validity period of the ETA visa was prompted primarily by the covid-19 health crisis that shook the entire world. Like many other countries, Sri Lanka has paid the price in terms of tourism. A frequently visited destination before the crisis, the country saw its visitor numbers drop drastically.
In addition to the health crisis, the global economic situation has taken its toll on the various sectors of the Sri Lankan economy. The Sri Lankan government, headed by new president Ranil Wixkremesinghe, has drawn up a program to reverse this trend and restore its reputation in the sector.
On the menu of this program is the updating of the number of days counted for the validity of the tourist visa, which is issued electronically. Before this change was announced, the validity of the electronic visa was set at 30 days. It is now 6 months, or 180 days.
Important details to remember
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) will now be issued for a period of six months. With this visa, tourists can enter Sri Lanka twice. For visitors or tourists applying for a single-entry visa, the validity period extends to 270 days if their application is validated.
Nor does this decision rule out multiple-entry visas.. If a tourist manages to obtain a multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days, it will be extended for a further year. These various modifications are currently being studied by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism and Territories.
It is important to remember that this six-month period is only a first step. proposal to the government. The latter can then decide on its implementation, taking into account the implications and expectations. The main objective is to give a dynamic boost to the tourism sector, which plays a major role in the Sri Lankan economy.
Relaxation measures for tourists
While awaiting approval of the proposal to extend the validity of the e-visa, the Sri Lankan government has taken a number of decisions concerning the formalities for entering the country. One of these is the abolition of the covid-19 insurance and health declaration form required of all travellers wishing to enter the country.
Travellers who have already been vaccinated before entering the country no longer need to be tested for covid-19. The only condition required to benefit from this privilege is to have been vaccinated 14 days prior to travel. Travellers who were unable to be vaccinated will need to undergo the test and provide the results (which must be negative) within 72 hours of travel.
Fill in a file from ETA Sri Lanka
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