In a move designed to boost international tourism from many of its key markets, the Sri Lankan government will offer free visas to travellers from 40 countries for a one-year period.
The countries covered in the programme include most European countries, alongside India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The single-entry visa is valid for 30 days. Travellers must still apply for an electronic travel authority (ETA), but the fee is waived.
This initiative updates the previously applied free-visa scheme for seven countries (China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan).
Sri Lanka is targeting three million visitors in 2026, after a record 2.36 million in 2025.