Good New Travellers! Sri Lanka Extends Visa-Free Entry For Indians; Check Requirements, Visa Fees

The free visa has a validity period of 30 days, promoting seamless travel and exploration within the picturesque island nation.

The decision by the Sri Lankan government to renew visa-free entry for visitors from India and other select countries until May 31, 2024 to boost tourist arrivals and enhance travel opportunities between nations. This move, approved by the country’s Cabinet, grants free visa entry to nationals from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia for a 30-day visit to the island nation.

Introduced as a pilot project in October, the visa-free entry scheme is part of a strategic effort to revitalize the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. To facilitate this process, visitors from the specified countries are required to apply for a visa through the official website before their arrival. The free visa has a validity period of 30 days, promoting seamless travel and exploration within the picturesque island nation.

Despite recent controversies surrounding high visa charges imposed by a private company, the government has decided to uphold a $50 fee for visitors obtaining a 30-day arrival visa. Various stakeholders in the tourism sector have advocated for this fee cap, emphasizing the importance of attracting tourists while ensuring affordability and accessibility.

The tourism industry in Sri Lanka has faced significant challenges due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and internal economic and political crises. The shift in visa issuance to a private entity with increased fees sparked criticism, with concerns raised about the deterrent effect on tourist arrivals amidst the country’s recovery efforts.

Sri Lankan visa requirements for Indian citizens

Here are some of the Sri Lanka tourist visa requirements for Indian citizens:

• A valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka.
• A properly completed online visa application form with a payment of the applicable visa fee.
• A confirmed return ticket or onward ticket, along with sufficient funds to cover their stay in Sri Lanka.
• Proof of accommodation bookings in Sri Lanka.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if arriving from an infected area.
• Health insurance covering the period of their stay in Sri Lanka.
• A copy of the Sri Lanka travel itinerary.

Sri Lanka’s visa-free countries

It’s important to distinguish between the free e-visa programme and visa-exempt countries. The following three visa-exempt countries do not need to apply for an e-visa – they are granted entry upon arrival to Sri Lanka with just their passports.

• Singapore: 30 days, can extend to 160 days.
• Maldives: 30 days, can extend to 160 days.
• Seychelles: 60 days, can extend to 90 days per calendar year

Currently, Sri Lanka allows tourists from seven countries to obtain visas free of charge. This policy change can be traced back to several key reasons. One significant factor was a decline in tourist arrivals following the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka in 2019.