The Sri Lankan government has officially expanded its visa fee waiver program, with immediate effect, to include visitors from 40 countries. The Government announced.
What does “waived visas” mean? Visitors from these countries no longer have to pay the typical visa processing fee (previously around USD 50). They still need to complete the required Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or e‑Visa application, but these applications are now free of charge.
List of Countries to Receive Visa-Free Entry to Sri Lanka:
1. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2. Federal Republic of Germany
3. Kingdom of the Netherlands
4. The Kingdom of Belgium
5. The Kingdom of Spain
6. The Commonwealth of Australia
7. Republic of Poland
8. The Republic of Kazakhstan
9. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
10. The United Arab Emirates
11. Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
12. People’s Republic of China *
13. The Republic of India *
14. The Republic of Indonesia *
15. The Russian Federation *
16. The Kingdom of Thailand *
17. The Federation of Malaya *
18. Japan *
19. Republic of France
20. United States of America
21. Canada
22. Czech Republic (Czechia)
23. Republic of Italy
24. Swiss Confederation (Switzerland)
25. Republic of Austria
26. State of Israel
27. Republic of Belarus
28. Islamic Republic of Iran
29. Kingdom of Sweden
30. Republic of Finland
31. Kingdom of Denmark
32. Republic of Korea
33. State of Qatar
34. Sultanate of Oman
35. Kingdom of Bahrain
36. New Zealand
37. State of Kuwait
38. Kingdom of Norway
39. Republic of Türkiye
40. Pakistan
What travelers need to know:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration of stay | Tourists may stay for up to 30 days per visit under this policy. |
| Application process | Travelers must still apply online via the ETA or e‑Visa platform. |
| Validity period | The waiver takes effect immediately as of July 26, 2025. |
| Other fees | No visa application fee for qualifying countries, but standard port taxes or airport charges may apply. |