Sri Lanka announces visa free travel for Indians from October 1

The government of Sri Lanka has announced visa free travel for the citizens of India and those of 34 other countries to the island nation, often called the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, to boost tourism.

Indians, besides citizens of 34 other countries, will now be able to travel to Sri Lanka without lengthy visa procedures for their vacations. “This visa-free entry will be available for a period of six months,” said Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Indians can choose to opt for visa on arrival also till October 1. The current visa fee for Indians is $50, or approximately Rs 4,197.

Which other counties have been granted visa-free travel to Sri Lanka?

Citizens from 34 other countries, besides India, such as the UK, China, the US, and Germany, will enjoy this visa-free travel to Sri Lanka. The full list includes countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand. Other nations on the list are Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and New Zealand.

What is Visa-Free Travel?

Visa-free travel, as the name suggests, enables the citizens of a country to arrive at the destination country without having to obtain a visa in advance if the destination country has granted visa-free travel status to the tourists’ home country. This makes travel hassle free and much cheaper as visa fees and commissions are saved.

Several countries offer visa-free travel to the citizens of India, allowing them to visit without lengthy procedures.

In most cases where visa-free travel is granted, the travelers only need a passport to pass through customs. However, some countries may require additional documents like proof of onward travel. In certain places, you might also need to pay an airport or departure tax.

Sri Lanka Attempts to Attract Indian Travelers

Indian travellers have traditionally been the largest group visiting Sri Lanka, accounting for 20% of the total arrivals in 2023, driven by the geographical proximity between the two countries. The new visa-free policy is expected to further boost these numbers, especially given the fact that Maldives is now no longer the first choice among Indians for a beach holiday following inappropriate remarks for the Indian Prime Minister by some members of the Maldivian government.

In fact, Sri Lanka had already taken steps to attract more Indian visitors. In October 2023, the country waived visa fees for tourists from India and six other nations, a policy that was extended until May 31, 2024. Additionally, Harin Fernando has been actively promoting tourism in India through roadshows, encouraging more visitors to explore Sri Lanka.