Sri Lanka has introduced visa-free access for citizens of 38 countries. Find out who will be able to visit the country under simplified rules and what conditions for travel have already been established

At the end of August, the leadership of Sri Lanka announced that it plans to introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of 35 countries from October 1, 2024, but given the high popularity, the other day it was decided to launch the visa-free entry program and increase the number of participants.

Therefore, from September 3, 2024, travelers from 38 countries, including India, Great Britain and the United States, will be able to enter Sri Lanka without a visa. The program will be valid for 6 months. The initiative is aimed at stimulating the country's economy and tourism sector.

Citizens of which countries can travel to Sri Lanka without a visa?

According to the official announcement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabri, from September 3, 2024, citizens of Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Ob United Arab Emirates, Nepal, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.

Electronic visa services have been suspended

The approval of the visa-free regime is also associated with certain problems of the system of issuing a visa after the arrival of the e-Visa. Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended the provision of e-visa services. Such actions are aimed at streamlining the procedure to prevent confusion among travelers. For 6 months, travelers from 38 specified countries will be able to use visa-free entry instead of applying for an e-visa.

Importantly! Sri Lanka has excluded citizens of 9 countries from the policy of obtaining visas upon arrival: representatives of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria do not have the right to obtain visas upon arrival in Sri Lanka. Links. These applicants must submit their visa applications directly to the Immigration Department headquarters through a representative.

Requirements for foreigners for visa-free entry to Sri Lanka

The visa-free regime will allow citizens of these countries to enter Sri Lanka without first obtaining a visa. However, travelers must still meet certain requirements:

- Have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of intended arrival in Sri Lanka.

- Provide a ticket to Sri Lanka and back to the country of destination.

- Confirm the availability of a sufficient amount of funds to stay on the island.

On the basis of the visa-free regime, tourists will be able to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days.

Features of health insurance in Sri Lanka

The Government of Sri Lanka has always emphasized the need to make adequate healthcare available to everyone living in the country. Throughout Sri Lanka, there are a large number of public hospitals where tourists or expats can receive medical care for free. However, the quality of medical care in these institutions is not one of the best in the world.

On the other hand, private hospitals are equipped with modern equipment. Their standards of treatment are much higher than in public hospitals. Private hospitals offer a level of service according to world standards and have a similar level of medical care to European countries. You can save on treatment in private clinics if you take out an insurance policy before your trip.

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Are you planning to travel or move abroad? An important component of a successful trip is a travel insurance policy, because it guarantees the provision of high-quality medical care in any corner of the world and is able to protect you from unnecessary expenses during the trip. You can buy insurance from verified agents on the Visit World portal.

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How many tourists visit Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka's tourism sector has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this year the country is showing fantastic results for the number of visits. In particular, in the first half of 2024, the number of tourists increased by 60% compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the latest figures from the Sri Lanka Development Authority, India remains the largest source of tourists to the island with 246,922 travelers, followed by the United Kingdom with 123,992 tourists.

What is there to see in Sri Lanka?

With exceptional cultural attractions, sacred pilgrimage sites, tea plantations and cozy beach towns, Sri Lanka is an exciting country that attracts a diverse range of travelers from families and honeymooners to foodies and surfers.

Cultural attractions of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka impresses with its cultural triangle – this area is a testament to Sri Lanka's ancient heritage and boasts several UNESCO sites:

- Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, is the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. In the 5th century, it served as the royal palace of Prince Kashyapa, then it was used as a Buddhist monastery.

- Anuradhapura is the first capital of Sri Lanka, founded in the 4th century, which flourished for more than 1000 years. Anuradhapura is a sacred city in Sri Lanka.

- You can also visit Sri Lanka's second capital, Polonnaruwa, which features monumental ruins built between the 11th and 13th centuries.

- At the southern end of the Cultural Triangle is Kandy, the last capital of the ancient kings and today the island's second largest city. Kandy is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is believed to house one of Buddha's teeth.

Tea plantations

Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of tea in the world, which is quite a feat considering its small size. Introduced by the British in the 19th century, tea remains an important part of Sri Lankan culture.

Black tea, called Ceylon tea, after the country's colonial name, is grown on more than 400 tea plantations in Sri Lanka. Tea is still harvested by hand by highly skilled workers, mostly women.

The landscapes of tea plantations are fascinating and truly impressive.

Coast

The length of Sri Lanka's coastline is almost 1,300 km, so fans of beach recreation and surfing will be able to find entertainment for themselves here. If you come between December and April, go to the southern and western parts of the island. Here you will find dozens of beach towns.

Safari

Sri Lanka has the highest biodiversity in Asia, you can meet animals in 25 national parks.

The most famous is Yala National Park, home to the largest number of leopards in the world. Also visit Udawalawe, a park famous for its large population of Asian elephants.

Colombo

Most trips to Sri Lanka begin or end in Colombo, so a tourist should spend a few nights in the unofficial capital of the country to enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the city.

The main attractions are the red and white striped Jami Ul Alfar Mosque, the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, located in a colonial-era hospital, and the Colombo National Museum.

The change in migration policy will allow Sri Lanka to stimulate the tourism industry and accept a larger number of foreign travelers, and given the large number of tourist facilities, foreigners are in for a pretty interesting vacation here.

We will remind you! The Sri Lankan government recently announced an update to its migration policy aimed at simplifying the visa system and attracting investors. Read who can get a permanent residence permit in Sri Lanka in this article.

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Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

For safe relocation to Sri Lanka, consult a migration specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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