Sri Lanka Extends Free Tourist Visa Policy to 40 Nations to Boost Tourism and Economy

In a major push to revive its tourism sector and accelerate economic recovery, Sri Lanka has announced an expansion of its free tourist visa policy to include 40 countries, according to PTI. The move was confirmed by Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath during the inauguration of the Hotel Show Colombo 2025.

Previously, visa-free entry was available to just seven countries, including India, China, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. With Cabinet approval, this list will now expand significantly, marking a bold step toward attracting global travelers.

“We have stabilised the economy, and through strategic changes in tourism, we aim to ensure steady growth in arrivals,” Herath said.

Despite the policy resulting in an estimated annual revenue loss of USD 66 million from visa fees, the minister emphasized that the indirect economic benefits from increased tourist arrivals would far outweigh the loss.

Economic Recovery Through Tourism

The visa waiver is part of a broader effort to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 financial crisis. The program initially launched as a pilot in March 2023 proved successful, encouraging the government to scale it up.

Countries Now Eligible for Free Tourist Visa

The expanded list includes:

• United States of America

• United Kingdom

• Germany

• France

• Italy

• Spain

• Canada

• Australia

• New Zealand

• Japan

• India

• China

• Russia

• Indonesia

• Thailand

• Malaysia

• United Arab Emirates

• Saudi Arabia

• Qatar

• Kuwait

• Oman

• Bahrain

• Kazakhstan

• Nepal

• South Korea

• Türkiye

• Netherlands

• Belgium

• Austria

• Switzerland

• Sweden

• Norway

• Denmark

• Finland

• Czech Republic (Czechia)

• Poland

• Belarus

• Iran

• Israel

The new policy aims to streamline travel, enhance tourist experiences, and position Sri Lanka as a more attractive and accessible global destination.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, a crucial pillar of its economy, is expected to receive a substantial boost with this decision, fostering employment, foreign exchange, and overall economic growth.