Sri Lanka, an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait will extend free visa tourist visa policy to 40 countries as part of its efforts and a strategic move to revitalize its tourism sector and sustain economic recovery.
This marks a renewed effort following a similar proposal launched in August 2024 to extend visa - free travel to 35 countries, which was approved at cabinet level but never came into effect.
The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath announced this move on 25th July 2025, an expansion that follows a cabinet decision to broaden the scope of a visa - waiver program launched in March 2023, when at that time, visa - free entry was granted to nationals of seven key markets, such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand, as part of a pilot project aimed at attracting more international tourists in the post Covid - 19 era.
Next to the seven countries mentioned above which will continue to have a visa - free entry, the expanded list includes several key long - haul and regional markets such as : Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, The United Arab Emirates, The United Kingdom and The United States.
Travellers from these countries will then be able to enter Sri Lanka without paying visa fees and receive a 30 - day visa on arrival. The visitors from the selected countries will need an ETA, an Electronic Travel Authorization in advance, a simplified online process that facilitates pre – arrival screening and documentation.
The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka acknowledged that the decision to eliminate visa fees could result in a short term revenue loss estimated at $66 million per year, however increased tourist arrivals, higher foreign exchange inflows and broader economic stimulation would more than compensate for the immediate fiscal impact.
The Minister stated to media that the country stabilized its economy, and through bold policy the aim is to ensure a sustained increase in arrivals and foreign exchange earnings.
The tourism sector, which accounts for roughly 12% of Sri Lanka’s GDP, has been a cornerstone of the country’s recovery efforts, following the twin shocks of the COVID – 19 pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.
Visitor numbers increased in 2024 and this country surpassed 1.3 million tourist arrivals as of 22nd July 2025 reflecting a strong momentum in Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery, reflecting a growing global interest in the country as a travel destination.
With the aim to revitalize the tourism sector a global marketing campaign was launched in April 2025, alongside local efforts to boost spending and expand accommodation options. The campaign titled “Sri Lanka, A Story for Every Season, “ highlights the island’s year - round appeal, showcasing wildlife, cultural heritage, spiritual sites, landscapes, and adventure tourism.
To accommodate rising demand, Sri Lanka is also investing in tourism infrastructure, including the expansion of Bandaranike International Airport, upgrades to road networks connecting heritage and beach destinations, and incentives for hotel and resort developments in less - known areas.
Sri Lanka is aiming to attract between 2.5 and 3 million visitors in 2025, demonstrating its ambition to reclaim its position as a global travel destination. The revitalization efforts are part of a broader recovery narrative, with the tourism sector playing a role in the country’s economic and cultural development.
With the advent of this extending free visa policy, Officials believe that removing visa barriers could unlock even faster growth, especially from high - ending spending markets.
Link
https://www.travelmole.com/news/sri-lanka-free-visa-40-countries/
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