On August 22, 2024, Sri Lanka Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana announced a new six-month pilot program launching October 1 of this year, which will give eligible visitors free 30-day tourist visas. This will temporarily eliminate the $50 visa fee tourists are typically required to pay until April 2025. Tourists from the approved countries, including the US and the UK, will be issued free tourist visas upon arrival, Reuters reports.
Travelers from the following countries will be approved for free 30-day tourist visas to Sri Lanka starting on October 1, 2024 until April 2025:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Poland
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
