Sri Lanka extends visa-free access for Indians
Sri Lanka extends visa-free access for Indians
To boost tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka has renewed visa-free entry for visitors from India and six other select countries, aiming to make travel more accessible and convenient for international tourists. The countries included in this initiative are India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, allowing their nationals to visit Sri Lanka for up to 30 days without visa fees.
The Sri Lankan government’s decision comes as part of efforts to rebuild the tourism industry, which has faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s ongoing economic and political crises. The visa-free entry scheme, launched in October as a pilot project, reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to promoting tourism and creating seamless travel experiences for visitors from key markets.
Although the visa-free entry allows visitors from the select countries to stay in Sri Lanka for 30 days, they are required to apply for their visa online through the website www.srilankaevisa.lk before their arrival. This online application process is designed to ensure smooth processing while maintaining security checks for incoming tourists.
Despite the visa-free entry for specific countries, the Sri Lankan government has maintained a $50 fee for visitors entering the country on arrival visas for 30 days. This decision was influenced by the tourism industry’s appeal to the government to cap visa fees to encourage international travel. The move to transfer the visa-issuing process to a private company, which raised the fee to $100, had sparked criticism for potentially discouraging tourists from visiting Sri Lanka.
Tourism is one of the primary sources of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka, and the sector has faced numerous setbacks due to the pandemic and the country’s economic instability. The recent changes in visa policies are aimed at reviving the tourism industry and attracting more international visitors, contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
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