The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has expanded the visa-free entry program for tourists from Mainland China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand as a pilot project with immediate effect until March 31, 2024. The formal regulations, which will outline the eligible stay periods and other conditions, will be published in the coming weeks.

Here's a closer look at this policy change and what it could mean for the country's tourism industry.

What is the new visa-on-arrival policy?

Thegovernment has abolished the visa fee for tourists from 48 countries who arrive in the country via visa-on-arrival for a period of six months. This policy change is aimed at boosting tourism in the country, which has suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The policy is free of cost and aims to boost tourism and aid economic recovery from the pandemic. The policy will be in place for six months, and the government will assess the loss of revenue from visas after this period.

Why is the Sri Lankan government offering this policy?

The government hopes that this policy will encourage more tourists to visit the country, which will provide a much-needed boost to the country's tourism industry. The tourism sector is an essential part of the country's economy, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) and providing employment opportunities for the local population.

Which countries are eligible for this policy?

Tourists from 48 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Russia and several European countries, are eligible for Sri Lanka's new visa-on-arrival policy. The list of countries is subject to change, and the government will assess the impact of this policy change on the country's revenue after six months.

How will this policy change benefit tourists?

Tourists will benefit from this policy change as they will no longer have to pay for a visa,. This will make Sri Lanka a more attractive destination for tourists, as it will reduce their travel costs.

The new visa-on-arrival policy for Sri Lanka will benefit tourists by eliminating the cost and hassle of obtaining a visa before arrival. This move is expected to boost tourism to the country and aid its economic recovery from the pandemic. 

Tourists will be able to save the cost of visa fees and invest it in their travels. Additionally, the policy aims to attract more visitors to Sri Lanka who are willing to spend money on tourism activities and boost the country's tourism industry.

How will this policy change benefit Sri Lanka?

This policy change is expected to have a positive impacton Sri Lanka's tourism industry, which has suffered significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By making it easier for tourists to visit the country, Sri Lanka hopes to attract more visitors and generate more revenue for the country's economy.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Sri Lanka's tourism industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Sri Lanka's tourism industry. The country closed its borders to international tourists in March 2020 and only reopened them in January 2021. As a result, the number of visitors to the country has decreased significantly, affecting the country's tourism revenue.

In 2023, the importance of tourism to Sri Lanka's economy is expected to continue to grow, as the country looks to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How has Sri Lanka responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Sri Lanka has taken several measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country closed its borders to international tourists, imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions, and ramped up its vaccination campaign. As of May 2023, Sri Lanka has administered more than 40 million vaccine doses.

What are the economic benefits of tourism for Sri Lanka?

Tourism is one of Sri Lanka's most important industries, contributing significantly to the country's GDP. In 2018, tourism accounted for about $4.4 billion or 4.9 percent of the country's GDP.

According to the official, Sri Lanka ended with 102,545 tourists in the month of January 2023 and in the first week of February 2023 it received 18,000 tourists. Tourism accounts for about 5 percent of Sri Lanka's Gross Domestic Product, with Britain, India and China being the main markets.

How will this policy change impact Sri Lanka's economy?

The policy change is expected to have a positive impact on Sri Lanka's economy by increasing the number of visitors to the country and generating more revenue for the tourism industry. The government hopes that this policy change will help the tourism industry recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAQ

What is the new visa policy in Sri Lanka?

The new visa policy in Sri Lanka is a free visa-on-arrival policy for citizens of 48 countries, allowing them to enter the country without additional entry requirements.

Which countries are eligible for the new visa policy in Sri Lanka?

Citizens from 48 countries, including European countries, the United States, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Russia are eligible for the new visa policy in Sri Lanka.

How long will the new visa policy be in place?

The new visa policy will be in place for six months, and the government will assess the loss of revenue from visas after this period.

How will the new visa policy benefit tourists?

The new visa policy will benefit tourists by eliminating the cost and hassle of obtaining a visa before arrival. This move is expected to boost tourism to the country and aid its economic recovery from the pandemic. Additionally, tourists will be able to save the cost of visa fees and invest it in their travels.