With its golden beaches, lush tea plantations, ancient ruins, and warm hospitality, Sri Lanka is one of the most loved destinations in the world! Now, to boost tourism and economic growth, Sri Lanka has decided to extend its visa-free entry policy to 40 countries. They were previously offering free tourist visas to only seven countries, including India.
Sri Lanka Extends Visa-Free Entry To 40 Countries
According to The Times of India, during the inauguration of the “Hotel Show Colombo 2025”, Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced that the country will now offer visa-free entry to nationals of 40 countries.
The country’s cabinet approved the expansion of the visa exemption programme, which initially covered seven countries from March 2023. These countries were India, China, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. According to media reports, Sri Lanka might incur an annual revenue loss of approximately $66 million due to the waiver of visa fees. However, according to the Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, the country is expecting a rise in tourist arrivals, and this will provide broader economic benefits that would outweigh the direct loss.
Countries On The Visa-Free Travel List
Here’s the complete list of all the countries that now have visa-free access to Sri Lanka –
1. India
2. China
3. Japan
4. United Kingdom
5. United States
6. Germany
7. France
8. Australia
9. Saudi Arabia
10. UAE
11. Oman
12. Kuwait
13. Netherlands
14. Spain
15. Belgium
16. Norway
17. Sweden
18. South Korea
19. Indonesia
20. Russia
21. Kazakhstan
22. Israel
23. Finland
24. Denmark
25. Italy
26. Canada
27. Czech Republic
28. Austria
29. Turkey
30. Belarus
31. Iran
32. Malaysia
33. Thailand
34. Nepal
35. Poland
36. New Zealand
37. Bahrain
38. Switzerland
39. Northern Ireland
40. Qatar
Also Read: Sri Lanka Is Home To An Adults-Only Hotel That Is Overlooking The Endless Indian Ocean
So, if Sri Lanka is on your travel bucket list, this is your sign to make it happen–that to visa-free!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Изображения пользователя Vitaliy Pakhnyushchyy