• By Travelspoc

Sri Lanka has announced visa-free access for Indians and citizens from 34 other countries starting October 1

According to recent reports, starting October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka will allow visa-free entry for citizens from 35 countries, including India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This six-month initiative, approved by the Sri Lankan government, aims to enhance tourism and strengthen international relations. It is anticipated that this move will make travel to Sri Lanka more appealing, particularly for Indian tourists, who have historically made up the largest group of international visitors to the island.

The visa-free access will extend to a variety of countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, and others. This initiative follows a successful pilot program launched in October 2023, which granted free visas to citizens from seven countries, including India and China. The positive outcomes of this pilot likely encouraged the government to broaden the program. For Indian travelers, this policy holds particular importance, as India has consistently been Sri Lanka’s top source of tourism.

In 2023, Indian tourists represented 20% of all international arrivals, with over 246,000 visitors. The new visa-free policy is expected to further boost these numbers, making it even easier for Indians to explore the country.

Rules

• Can stay in country for up to 6 months
• Passport must be valid for 6 months from the last date of your intended stay in Sri Lanka.
• No need to apply for any visa before arrival
• Tourist Visa will be issued on spot at immigration on arrival

Requirements

• Valid Passport
• Return ticket
• Sufficent funds

Rules on the e-visa website

• Travellers can still apply online (eta.gov.lk/slvisa/) and get visas sorted before arrival

For details contact operations@travelspoc.com