Sri Lanka’s Free 30-Day Visa-on-Arrival: Driving Growth in International Tourism

Sri Lanka has introduced a new visa policy offering free 30-day visa-on-arrival access to travellers from 40 countries, an initiative aimed at strengthening the island’s position as an international tourism destination. Announced by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the policy also extends to visitors from countries with reciprocal visa agreements, including Singapore, the Maldives, and Seychelles. Eligible travellers are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. Once approved, the visa allows double entry, with the 30-day validity commencing from the visitor’s first day in Sri Lanka.

As the policy is expected to encourage longer stays, premium accommodation providers such as Araliya Hotels & Resorts are well positioned to benefit from the increased demand. These luxury hotels in Sri Lanka offer exceptional comfort and convenient access to some of the island’s most sought-after destinations. India remains Sri Lanka’s largest source market for international arrivals, while the expanded list also includes Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, China and Denmark. The policy is expected to support continued growth in visitor arrivals while further strengthening Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.