Full list of 40 countries with visa-free entry to Sri Lanka

james Friday, 25 July 2025 06:34 PM

No body gets motivated to visit a country because its visa free. Charge them $100, that's 20 million dollars in revenue if 2lks of tourists shows up you are throwing away

Reply 79       20

Nimal Friday, 25 July 2025 06:57 PM

From when is this going to happen?

Reply 1       19

Das Friday, 25 July 2025 07:25 PM

Good move, but some countries in the list are questionable, as they are in RED list in Europe.

Reply 16       18

Blackpool Prem Friday, 25 July 2025 07:36 PM

Very good move, please analyze tourist arrivals and consider to implement visa fee waiver for other countries also.

Reply 6       18

Lennard Friday, 25 July 2025 07:45 PM

It’s clear that NPP is determined to ruin Sri Lanka once and for all. Visa-free entry with no specific conditions, like well-defined duration of stay and mandatory departure. People familiar with this situation, especially in Western nations, are likely mocking this decision. Just wait and see what happens over the next 12 months—this is no joke. It will overwhelm the country with immigrants. This isn’t just a hypothetical idea it’s a fact. This shows how desperate NPP is for foreign cash. This will lead to unimaginable issues, from child exploitation and drug trafficking to a rise in STDs. Well done, NPP.

Reply 60       31

Samy Selvarajah Friday, 25 July 2025 07:50 PM

We welcome you as visitors without visa fees and we thank the Govt: of Sri Lanka for making this arrangements. Free visa means no visa fees. Most of the crooks from most of the countries have come and done BUSINESS in Sri Lanka. Those will be punished and exported to HELL. So, we pray for the true visitors. All are welcome with God's blessings.

Reply 3       23

Does free visa and visa free mean the same? Friday, 25 July 2025 08:28 PM

Does free visa and visa free mean the same?

Reply 5       11

Citizens Friday, 25 July 2025 08:50 PM

For all these countries Sri Lanka has to take Visa including even India ....

Reply 1       22

S Lokumeegodage Friday, 25 July 2025 08:57 PM

How many of these countries allow Sri Lankan's to enter with visa on arrival?

Reply 7       38

Cassie Friday, 25 July 2025 09:53 PM

That's great! I save on visa fees for my family when we visit Sri Lanka. It is an expensive trip. As Sri Lankan origin non-citizens we pay more for hotels and all the attractions than locals do. Tickets to Sri Lanka costs around $2000 each for us. Costs add up while in SL for transport especially. If anything, this visa fee waiver only makes it more attractive to visit Sri Lanka.

Reply 11       39

Basil Fonseka Friday, 25 July 2025 10:19 PM

Basil Fonseka from Canada How long can we stay ?

Reply 1       13

Patriot Friday, 25 July 2025 10:21 PM

These 40 countries are not poor, anyone traveling from these countries to Sri Lanka paying higher airfares round trip avarage $2000 plus per person. No tourist expect free visa however they will laugh

Reply 22       12

John Friday, 25 July 2025 10:24 PM

While the reintroduction of free entry visas is welcomed by many travelers, it is disappointing to see yet another public announcement take precedence over unfulfilled commitments. In May 2024, your government publicly stated that a Permanent Residency Visa program would be implemented—offering long-term stability and investment opportunities for foreigners with strong ties to the country. To date, there has been no further communication, clarity, or action taken regarding this promise. Before launching new short-term incentives such as free tourist visas, the government should first honor its earlier commitments, especially those aimed at long-term residents and contributors to Sri Lanka's economy and society. Empty promises damage trust. We urge you to follow through on the Permanent Residency Visa initiative without further delay.

Reply 5       42

John Friday, 25 July 2025 10:27 PM

While the reintroduction of free entry visas is welcomed by many travelers, it is disappointing to see yet another public announcement take precedence over unfulfilled commitments. In May 2024, your government publicly stated that a Permanent Residency Visa program would be implemented—offering long-term stability and investment opportunities for foreigners with strong ties to the country. To date, there has been no further communication, clarity, or action taken regarding this promise. Before launching new short-term incentives such as free tourist visas, the government should first honor its earlier commitments, especially those aimed at long-term residents and contributors to Sri Lanka's economy and society. Empty promises damage trust. We urge you to follow through on the Permanent Residency Visa initiative without further delay.

Reply 4       17

VRAJ Friday, 25 July 2025 10:49 PM

I have suggested many times since 2023 on the comment page.

Reply 3       14

Milroy Peter Friday, 25 July 2025 10:57 PM

Is this effective immediately to all these countries they didn’t say a starting date

Reply 2       8

Dr Tissa Fernando Friday, 25 July 2025 11:14 PM

This was done mostly to facilitate the visit by the Diaspora community. It was one of the promises made by Great Pachanayake to them during his visits to them.

Reply 20       11

The Nomad Traveller Friday, 25 July 2025 11:20 PM

Good Move to boost tourism. Many tourists would appreciate the move, especially from the Middle East and Europe during summer. However, we need to ensure that our Airport Immigration system can cope with the increase in arrivals. I’m currently in Thailand, came here Visa free as a Sri Lankan. The Immigration process took only 5 mints. The officer checked my return ticket, scanned my facial recognition, took biometrics (digital finger prints) all within this period, stamped a stay for 60 days on my passport (with exit date mentioned) and said Welcome to Thailand.

Reply 1       31

Islander Saturday, 26 July 2025 02:16 AM

"... 40 countries whose nationals will be eligible for visa fee waivers ...." But the government must enforce a nominal processing fee when stamped. Those employees have to be paid for their duty at the airport, and it cannot come from the taxpayers.

Reply 5       4

Ylg Saturday, 26 July 2025 02:24 AM

Do we get visa free entry to these countries too

Reply 1       3

Sandun Saturday, 26 July 2025 03:03 AM

Sheer irony is that citizens from these countries can well afford a visa fee of 20 USD! However, can we afford to lose the estimated 66 million USD revenue? Also, opening flood gates will cause problems, and we don’t have the resources to address them.

Reply 3       12

Sandun Saturday, 26 July 2025 03:11 AM

It is very unlikely that people who stay longer than 3 weeks will spend lavishly! The average western person budgets for a two-three week holiday; unless very wealthy. After that, they are more likely to be budget travellers or coming here for a working holiday to maintain their holiday! The no visa policy is more likely to appeal to the latter type of tourist.

Reply 4       5

Indrani J. Saturday, 26 July 2025 03:50 AM

Not a very bright move....worse we have opened the door even wider and easier for the illegal occupiers to come in and run their illegal businesses, buy lands through the locals, and expand their territories.

Reply 6       11

Des Saturday, 26 July 2025 04:53 AM

As a tourist I would be happen to pay $35 usd as long as it goes into the right hands. If you can't afford the visa you can't afford to travel!!

Reply 3       7

Gunaratne Saturday, 26 July 2025 06:01 AM

What about Singapore and Maldives.

Reply 0       5

Ghost Saturday, 26 July 2025 06:58 AM

So basically we don't charge a visa fee for any country in the world as we are so welcoming. The remaining few countries will ask us to waive the visa fee too. Let's hope everything happens for good.

Reply 0       3

Pathmaranjan Saturday, 26 July 2025 08:24 AM

Excellent move. More Tourists will come to Sri Lanka.

Reply 6       5

Sisira Amarasekara Saturday, 26 July 2025 08:37 AM

Now that SriLanka should lobby to allow Sri Lankans to visit those countries (atleast the ones in Asia) with least visa restrictions or visa free. Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia in the past offered Sri Lankans visa free entry.

Reply 0       3

Rukshan P Saturday, 26 July 2025 10:46 AM

Some of the commenters on here should do their research before blurting out ridiculous anti-foreigner sentiments. Firstly, this announcement just means that the visit visa is free from costs, not free from restrictions. Visitors can come for 30 days with the visa issued on arrival and there is the same requirement to leave before that or extend for further time at a cost (like the current requirement). This is in line with dozens of other countries who compete for the same foreign tourist $. A French family would visit Bali or Thailand for free … so why pay $200 extra to visit Sri Lanka? Secondly, and more importantly, this government and the previous, ALREADY gives free visas to Chinese, Russians and Indians (amongst other countries) despite the fact that these tourists spend less money on average than Europeans.

Reply 6       14

M Arganthukaya Saturday, 26 July 2025 12:13 PM

Sri Lanka has the recent experience of one who had been advised to do away with Taxation !! So we must tread carefully. As the saying goes " Good things No Cheap, Cheap Things, No Good". So SL will be classed in the Cheap No good category. SL must focus on High spending , High end category of Tourists.

Reply 4       8

Suruppa Daya Saturday, 26 July 2025 01:03 PM

There is no mention of when this comes into effect. Perhaps after the current tourist season is over.

Reply 0       2

M Fernando Saturday, 26 July 2025 07:51 PM

Meanwhile the US has slapped another USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee on countries including SL on top of other fees. Way to go Sri Lanka !! What a clever move !!?

Reply 1       3

Harsha Saturday, 26 July 2025 08:30 PM

Reply to John- The immigration office is well aware of the numerous marriages of convenience between foreigners and locals to circumvent legislation of land ownership and right to stay in Sri Lanka. This might contribute to the perceived delay in addressing even legitimate permanent residency matters. There cannot be a blanket rule given the above situation. Dealing cases individually would be a more prudent approach. Secondly, you mentioned that there are rights of a spouse married to another national? Well, tell that to Trump and other western countries who do not automatically allow foreigners to reside in their countries irrespective of marriage to their citizens.

Reply 4       12

John Sunday, 27 July 2025 01:06 AM

Reply to Harsha- While your concern about fraudulent marriages is valid and deserves serious attention, using it as a blanket justification to delay or deny legitimate residency applications is deeply problematic. It risks punishing genuine couples — many of whom have built families, invested in the country, and contributed economically and socially — for the actions of a few bad actors. A functioning immigration system must be able to differentiate between abuse and legitimate cases, and if it cannot, that reflects a failure of governance, not of the applicants. Furthermore, referencing countries like the U.S. or Europe doesn't fully hold up. While no country grants automatic residency through marriage, most have clear, consistent legal pathways that allow for due process, timelines, and appeals. Sri Lanka, by contrast, is often criticized for its opaque procedures, lack of communication, and arbitrary delays — even in cases that have been promised resolution, such as the implementa

Reply 2       4

Roger Smith Sunday, 27 July 2025 02:46 AM

Federation of Malaya. Never heard of such country.!

Reply 2       1

Big Sam Sunday, 27 July 2025 12:29 PM

Effective when??

Reply 0       3

John Sunday, 27 July 2025 02:52 PM

Part 1 To those Sri Lankans who are angry about foreigners marrying into your country, Let’s be very clear: this narrow-minded, jealous attitude towards foreigners who legally marry a Sri Lankan and build a life here is not only hypocritical, it's deeply ungrateful and short-sighted. Sri Lankans are living, studying, working and marrying abroad by the millions—in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. They’re building families there. They get rights, benefits, and even citizenship through marriage. And no one screams at them to “go back home.” So why the double standards? If you think foreigners shouldn’t get any rights—even after legally marrying a Sri Lankan—then be consistent. Let’s tell every Sri Lankan living abroad to pack up, give up their jobs, their spouses, and their lives, and fly home immediately. That’s fair, right?

Reply 0       10

John Sunday, 27 July 2025 02:53 PM

Part 2 To those Sri Lankans who are angry about foreigners marrying into your country, Let’s not pretend this is about protecting national values. It's jealousy, plain and simple. Some of you can’t stand to see a foreigner being welcomed into the community, or gaining respect. Why? Because deep down, you feel left behind. Instead of improving your system, you attack those who follow the rules. And let’s be honest: no foreigner gets a free ride. We deal with slow bureaucracy, broken promises, disrespect, and outdated visa systems—while still paying taxes, contributing to the economy, and supporting local families. So if you're so eager to shout "No rights for foreigners!", maybe take a moment and ask: What exactly are YOU doing for your country, other than pointing fingers? We’re not asking for special treatment—just equal treatment. Just like your own people get abroad. Grow up. The world is global now. Marrying someone from another country is not a crime. Hating someone for it

Reply 0       4

Kusala Sunday, 03 August 2025 08:49 PM

I am an Australian who lived in Sri Lanka for in the past

Reply 0       0

petiyakanda Wednesday, 06 August 2025 04:53 PM

The aim of offering fee free visas to these countries would be to increase tourist numbers and boost tourist revenue which is in 2023 was only 1.2% GDP. Even a low budget tourist would spend maybe LKR 150,000 over 10 days. This far outstrips revenue from the visa fee (currently LKR 15,000). Thailand received a significant boost in tourist numbers after introducing 60 day visa exemption for 93 countries. However, their tourist numbers are currently down due to the earthquake early in the year, civil unrest and the current Cambodia border skirmishes. Sri Lanka can pounce

Reply 0       0