Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ Sri Lanka has introduced a new visa policy aimed at making travel easier for international tourists and boosting visitor arrivals to the country. Under the new system, travellers from 40 countries, including India, will now be able to receive a free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for tourism purposes. Accordingly, the Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that the new facility came into effect on May 25, 2026. Eligible visitors can now apply for the ETA free of charge before travelling to Sri Lanka, allowing for a smoother and faster arrival process at the country’s airports. The move is expected to benefit thousands of tourists planning holidays, short visits and family trips to the island nation. Officials said the decision was taken to encourage tourism and improve convenience for international travellers.
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The countries included under the new free ETA scheme are Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. According to the Department, travellers holding diplomatic, official, service or ordinary passports from these countries can apply for the free tourist ETA. The permit will remain valid for 30 days from the date of arrival and will allow double entry during the validity period.
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Sri Lankan authorities also clarified that all foreign travellers, including citizens of countries covered under this scheme, must still obtain an ETA before entering the country. Meanwhile, visitors from Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore will continue to receive travel benefits under separate bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka. Under the existing arrangement, Maldivian citizens will continue to receive a 90-day tourist visa through the ETA system. Officials added that travellers who paid ETA fees before May 25, 2026, would not be eligible for refunds, even if they now fall under the free visa category.
Tourists who wish to stay beyond the initial 30-day period can apply for an extension by paying the required visa fees. However, travellers from countries not included in the new list will continue to follow Sri Lanka’s standard ETA visa procedures. Furthermore, India remains Sri Lanka’s largest source of inbound tourists, and officials believe the updated visa policy will further strengthen the country’s appeal among Indian travellers. The fully digital process is also expected to reduce waiting times at immigration counters and make entry procedures more convenient for visitors arriving in Sri Lanka.
