Sri Lanka Abolishes Visa Fees for 40 Countries to Boost Tourism

Colombo – In a major step aimed at revitalising its tourism sector, Sri Lanka has announced that it will soon eliminate visa fees for travellers from 40 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

Speaking at a press briefing, Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Harin Fernando stated that the new policy aims to attract a larger number of international tourists, simplify travel processes, and send a clear message that Sri Lanka is open and welcoming to the world.

While the government is expected to lose around $66 million in visa revenue, officials believe that the influx of additional tourists will generate significantly higher economic returns.

“This is an investment in the country’s tourism-driven recovery,” the minister said.

Tourists from these countries will be able to enter Sri Lanka without paying the usual visa fee of $50–$60, making travel to the island nation more affordable and appealing.

This new initiative expands on a pilot program launched in March 2023, which offered free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) to travellers from India, China, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia. That program was well-received and led to a noticeable rise in tourism figures from those countries.

Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of attracting 3 million tourists in 2025, aiming to generate $5 billion in tourism revenue. This would mark a substantial increase from 2.05 million visitors and $3 billion in revenue recorded in 2024.

Industry leaders have welcomed the move. Amrit Rajaratnam, Managing Director of Island Life Sri Lanka, said:

“This is a bold and timely decision that will make Sri Lanka a more accessible and competitive destination.”

He noted that while it may not singlehandedly achieve the 2025 target, it will significantly boost arrival numbers and strengthen Sri Lanka’s image as a tourist-friendly destination.