Sri Lanka Offers Free Tourist Visa for EU – A Boon for Local Tourism

From 1st May 2019, Sri Lanka will introduce a new travel policy whereby tourists from countries of the European Union, amongst other select nations, can benefit from free visitor visas. This, in turn, is expected to have a positive impact on tourism by attracting more travellers to the country. Apart from diverse cultural and nature-related experiences in Sri Lanka, luxury villa options by the beach such as those offered at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort are amongst the other draws here.

Initially expected to have a trial run for a period of six months, this new policy is seen as one that would stimulate tourist arrivals especially during the ‘off season’. Other countries that will benefit from this free tourist visa include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia. Plans are underway to extend the policy to China and SAARC countries as well.