Sri Lanka has announced free tourist visa, in the form of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), for nationals of 40 countries. Starting May 25, this scheme includes nationals of India, UAE, Pakistan, among other nations. This applies to those holding diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports, according to Sri Lanka’s official ETA website.
All foreign nationals from these 40 countries, along with nationals of Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, who have bilateral reciprocal agreements with Sri Lanka, must obtain the ETA prior to arrival.
While the ETA is free effective May 25, if fees were paid by any of these nationals before May 25, they are non-refundable.
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How long is the duration, can the visa be extended?
For nationals from these 40 countries, the free-of-charge visa applies for a stay of 30 days. Under the new scheme, double entry is permitted for tourists from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka within the 30-day validity period.
If an applicant who has obtained a free ETA wants to extend their stay beyond 30 days, they will have to apply for a visa extension. This will require payment of the applicable visa fee.
In particular, Maldivian nationals will receive a 90-day tourist visa through ETA system in lieu of the agreement between the nations, according to the official Sri Lankan website.
Full list of 40 countries
Take a look at the full list of countries that are included, here:
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Australia
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Austria
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Bahrain
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Belarus
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Belgium
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Canada
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China
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Czech Republic
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Denmark
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Finland
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France
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Germany
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India
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Indonesia
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Iran
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Israel
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Italy
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Japan
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Kazakhstan
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Kuwait
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Malaysia
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Nepal
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Netherlands
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New Zealand
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Norway
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Oman
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Pakistan
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Poland
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Qatar
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Russia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland
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Thailand
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Turkey
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United Arab Emirates
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United Kingdom
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United States
Source: Khaleej Times