DestinationsSome 35 countries will get visa-free status.

Sri Lanka goes visa-free to attract tourists

By Travel Weekly Asia

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Aug 23, 2024

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Sri Lanka hopes the move to visa-free will boost its tourism sector.

Sri Lanka hopes the move to visa-free will boost its tourism sector. Photo Credit: Ian Jarrett

Sri Lanka has made further adjustments to its troubled visitor visa scheme.

From 1 October, Sri Lanka will become visa free for citizens of 35 countries, according to minister for foreign affairs, Ali Sabry, who described the move as the first step towards a “visa-free regime”. Sri Lanka hopes the move to visa-free will boost its tourism sector.

Sri Lanka hopes the move to visa-free will boost its tourism sector.

Sri Lanka currently charges US$50 for a tourist visa and US$75 for a business visa.

Countries on the visa-free list include New Zealand, India, China, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and many EU members.

Singaporeans can already visit Sri Lanka without a visa, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, website.

Earlier this month the Sri Lanka Supreme Court suspended the e-Visa portal run by VFS Global.

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