If you’ve been putting off a Sri Lanka trip because of visa costs, Parliament just removed that excuse.
On 7 May 2026, Sri Lanka’s Parliament officially approved regulations granting free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisation to tourists from 40 countries a measure introduced to support the recovery of the tourism sector, with authorities estimating it could attract an additional 247,000 tourists and generate $317 million in extra tourism revenue.
Here’s everything you need to know before you book.
What Exactly Is Being Offered?
This is not a visa-on-arrival or a full visa exemption. Eligible travellers will still need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before their trip only the ETA fee is being waived. The standard tourist ETA fee was previously around USD 50. Under the new rules, that cost drops to zero for qualifying nationalities. The ETA application itself remains a simple online process completed before departure.
The free ETA covers a 30-day stay, with double-entry permitted meaning you can leave Sri Lanka and re-enter once within the same 30-day window. Business, work, and long-term stay visas are not affected by this scheme.
The Full List of 40 Countries
Seven countries already benefited from the free ETA before this expansion: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand.
The new regulations extend free ETA access to the following 33 additional countries: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.
What This Means in Practice
If your country is on the list, the process is straightforward. Visit the official Sri Lanka ETA portal at eta.gov.lk, complete the online application with your passport and travel details, and receive your approval before you fly. No fee, no embassy visit, no paperwork beyond the online form.
It is worth noting that no official implementation date has been announced yet following Parliament’s approval. The regulations have passed, but travellers should verify the fee waiver is active on the official ETA portal before applying, to avoid paying the standard fee in the interim.
Why Sri Lanka Is Making This Move
The timing is deliberate. Overall visitor numbers to Sri Lanka fell 22% following airlines rerouting away from conflict zones, prompting the government to use the free ETA expansion as a low-cost stimulus to stabilise arrivals. The scheme is approved for an initial one-year period, with the possibility of extension based on results.
For travellers, the timing works in your favour. Fewer crowds, competitive hotel rates, and now — no visa fee. Sri Lanka’s beaches, hill country, ancient temples, and wildlife are all still very much there. The only thing that’s changed is the cost of getting in.
