Sri Lanka has decided to extend its free tourist visa policy to 40 countries, in a move aimed at boosting tourism and supporting its ongoing economic recovery.
The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Friday, July 25, 2025.
This decision follows Cabinet approval last week, expanding the current list of seven eligible nations to a total of 40 countries.
Who Was Already Eligible?
Since March 2023, Sri Lanka has been offering visa-free entry to tourists from:
China
India
Indonesia
Russia
Thailand
Malaysia
Japan
New Countries Added
Some of the major countries now added to the list include:
United Kingdom (UK)
United States (US)
Canada
Pakistan
Iran
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Australia
Economic Impact
While Sri Lanka expects to lose around $66 million annually in visa fee revenue, Minister Herath stated that the increase in tourist arrivals would more than make up for the loss through indirect economic benefits.
