Great news for Indians planning to visit Sri Lanka! Starting October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka will offer visa-free entry to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK, and the US. This visa-free access will be available for six months, according to Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando, as reported by PTI.
This decision follows a Supreme Court interim order on August 2 that suspended the e-visa services provided by IVS-GBS and VFS Global. Previously, Indians could apply for an e-visa or use a visa on arrival since the free visa extension ended on May 31, 2024. With the suspension of the e-visa service, Indians can now use the visa-on-arrival option until October 1.
Currently, the visa fee for Indians is $50, or about Rs 4,197.
Who Will Benefit?
Citizens from numerous countries, including India, the UK, China, the US, and Germany, will be able to travel to Sri Lanka without a visa. The full list of visa-free countries includes the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, 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 allows you to enter a country without needing to obtain a visa beforehand. This simplifies travel by avoiding complex visa processes and saving on visa fees. Typically, you only need a passport to pass through customs in visa-free countries. However, some countries might require additional documents, such as proof of onward travel or payment of an airport tax.
Also Read: Traveling Abroad? Check Out These 26 Visa-Free Countries for Indians in 2024
Sri Lanka’s Efforts to Attract Indian Travelers
Indians have been the largest group of visitors to Sri Lanka, making up 20% of the total arrivals in 2023. The new visa-free policy is expected to further increase this number. In October 2023, Sri Lanka waived visa fees for tourists from India and six other countries, a policy extended until May 31, 2024. Minister Harin Fernando has been actively promoting Sri Lanka through roadshows in India to attract more visitors.
In 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed 246,922 Indian tourists, with 123,992 visitors from the UK. The introduction of visa-free travel is a crucial step in revitalizing Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which has struggled since the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The country earned $1.5 billion from tourism in the first half of 2024, up from $875 million during the same period in 2023, according to the central bank.
List of Visa-Free Countries for Indian Nationals
- Sri Lanka: 30 days
- Angola: 30 days
- Barbados: 90 days
- Bhutan: 14 days
- Dominica: 180 days
- El Salvador: 90 days
- Fiji: 120 days
- Gambia: 90 days
- Grenada: 90 days
- Haiti: 90 days
- Iran: 15 days
- Jamaica: 90 days
- Kazakhstan: 14 days
- Kiribati: 90 days
- Macao: 30 days
- Malaysia: 30 days
- Mauritius: 90 days
- Micronesia: 30 days
- Nepal: 90 days
- Palestinian Territories: 30 days
- Rwanda: 30 days
- Saint Kitts and Nevis: 90 days
- Senegal: 90 days
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines: 90 days
- Thailand: 30 days
- Trinidad and Tobago: 90 days
- Vanuatu: 30 days
Entry Requirements for Visa-Free Countries
- A valid passport
- Maximum duration of stay
- Proof of return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel/medical insurance
- Criminal record check
- Customs and declarations