{"id":7022903,"date":"2026-04-02T12:09:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T10:09:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visamundi.co\/?p=7022903"},"modified":"2026-04-02T13:54:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T11:54:14","slug":"sri-lanka-relaunches-free-tourist-visa-program-for-40-countries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visamundi.co\/en\/blog\/le-sri-lanka-relance-un-programme-de-visa-touristique-gratuit-pour-40-pays\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka relaunches free tourist visa program for 40 countries"},"content":{"rendered":"


Sri Lanka steps up a gear to boost its tourism sector. In a move eagerly awaited by the travel industry, the Sri Lankan government has confirmed the introduction of a free tourist visas for nationals of 40 countries<\/strong>. Travelers can benefit from this program if they are staying in Sri Lanka for a short visit (tourism, business, transit).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This measure has been under discussion since july 2025<\/a>, The agreement was approved by the Council of Ministers on March 30, 2026. It is now officially in force, and you can now benefit from visa fee exemption, depending on whether you are a citizen of one of the countries concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why are visa fees waived?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Approved by the Council of Ministers following a proposal by the Ministry of Public Safety and Parliamentary Affairs, this initiative is part of a pilot plan for six months<\/strong>. Colombo's objective is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Make the destination more financially attractive to Asian competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Supporting the post-crisis growth of the local tourism industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Facilitating international passenger flows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is your passport eligible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This program strategically targets both historic issuing markets and new growth areas. Here is the list of nationalities<\/strong> covered by this tariff exemption, classified by geographical area: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Europe<\/strong>
Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.<\/em>
Americas<\/strong>
Canada, United States.<\/em>
Asia & Oceania<\/strong>
Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand.<\/em>
Middle East & Central Asia<\/strong>
Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sri Lankan government has announced 39 eligible nationalities. According to the official list published, 40 nationalities are concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not on the list? No problem<\/em>
Our agency accompanies travelers from all over the world. If you are a citizen of Africa, Latin America or any other country not listed above, the classic ETA process remains in force<\/strong>, with the usual consular fees.
Our technical team handles these requests on a daily basis, using an optimized procedure to avoid any delays in obtaining your travel document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fee waiver vs. visa waiver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many travellers confuse visa fee waiver<\/strong> (Visa Fee Waiver<\/em>) and visa exemption<\/strong> (Visa Free Entry). In practical terms, even if the Sri Lankan government abolishes the government tax for these countries :<\/p>\n\n\n\n