Sri Lanka’s Free Visa Policy for 35 Countries Delayed
ETA System Reinstated with Fees
The highly anticipated free visa policy for tourists from 35 countries, announced by Sri Lanka’s previous government, failed to take effect on October 1, 2024. Despite the reactivation of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, tourists still need to apply and pay for their visas.
Back in August, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government introduced the idea of offering free visas to boost its struggling tourism sector, impacted by COVID-19, political instability, and a recent “visa crisis.” The visa fee waiver for nationals of 35 countries, including Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European and Asian nations, was seen as a crucial step in attracting more visitors.
However, as of today, the policy has not been implemented.
The delay stems from the lack of parliamentary approval. According to Cabinet spokesperson and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, while the previous government endorsed the plan, Parliament was dissolved before it could be ratified. The current government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is exploring alternatives with the Attorney General’s Department, but a solution may not be reached until Parliament reconvenes.
In the meantime, the ETA system has been reinstated. Visitors from the 35 countries must still apply online and pay the $50 visa fee. Only nationals from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand currently qualify for free visas through the ETA system. It remains to be seen if more countries will be added in the future.
In a classic case of over promise and under deliver, a Facebook commentator shared the post of a tourist who was rather miffed as she had to pay US$ 60 for a one month visit visa when she arrived on the 1st of October 2024. Posting a copy of the receipt and a comment the disappointed traveller stated “FREE VISA…..FYI FYI FYI – My experience today arriving in Sri Lanka, the “long awaited and hoped” FREE VISA DATE as of October 1st.. It has not been accepted by the new government…INSTEAD … it is now 10USD more than I paid the first time I arrived. 60usd – 58 euro or 18,650 LKR…and of course…only 30days…So you need to queue in Migration Colombo and Pay again….”
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