Sri Lanka has waived tourist visa fees for visitors from 40 countries, lowering the cost of short-term leisure travel for several major tourism markets. The fee waiver took effect on May 25, 2026, according to Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, and allows eligible travelers to receive a tourist Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, free of charge for a 30-day stay.
Euronews reported that the change removes the visa fee for many European and international visitors, while Sri Lankan authorities clarified that travelers still need to apply for an ETA before arrival. The policy comes as Sri Lanka continues efforts to rebuild and expand its tourism economy after years of disruption linked to the pandemic, economic instability, and earlier travel setbacks.
Sri Lanka Drops Tourist Visa Fees For Key Travel Markets
The Department of Immigration and Emigration says nationals from 40 countries are eligible for the free tourist ETA. The list includes 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.
The scheme applies to travelers holding diplomatic, official, service, and ordinary passports from eligible countries. It covers only tourist travel, meaning visitors entering Sri Lanka for business, employment, study, or other purposes must follow the visa rules applicable to those categories. Under the program, eligible tourists receive a 30-day ETA with double-entry access, counted from the date of first arrival in the country.
Sri Lanka also has separate reciprocal visa arrangements with the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore. The official ETA terms state that nationals of Seychelles and Singapore can receive a free 30-day tourist ETA, while Maldivian nationals can receive a free 90-day tourist ETA. Sri Lanka had previously signaled plans to expand free visas as part of its tourism growth strategy. In a 2024 tourism update, Sri Lanka Tourism said plans to extend free visas to travelers from 39 countries were intended to encourage more international travel.
Travelers Still Need ETA Approval Before Visiting Sri Lanka
The visa fee waiver does not remove Sri Lanka’s pre-arrival authorization requirement. Travelers covered by the program must still apply for an ETA before entering the country, even though the tourist visa fee has been waived. Sri Lanka’s immigration department says the authorization must be obtained through the official ETA system before travel.
Standard entry conditions still apply. Sri Lanka’s official ETA application terms state that ETA holders may be required to present a round-trip air ticket upon arrival and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay. The authorization also does not allow visitors to take paid or unpaid work, conduct trade, or carry out business activities outside the purpose approved under the ETA.
The waiver does not apply retroactively. Sri Lanka’s immigration department says ETA fees paid before May 25, 2026, are nonrefundable. Travelers who want to remain in the country beyond the initial authorized period can apply for an extension, but they must pay the applicable extension fee.
