Sri Lanka set to offer free tourist visas to 39 countries including Nepal

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is set to introduce a six-month programme granting free tourist visas to passport holders from 39 countries, a government official has said.

The initiative, aimed at supporting the recovery and growth of the tourism sector, was initially approved at a Cabinet meeting on July 21, 2025. Under the programme, eligible visitors will be issued tourist visas free of charge, Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Draft regulations for the scheme have been prepared by the Legal Draftsman’s Department in line with the provisions of the Immigration and Emigration Act. These regulations will now be presented to Parliament for approval.

The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and subsequently endorsed by the Cabinet.

List of 39 countries eligible for the free tourist visa scheme

1. Nepal  
2. China  
3. India  

4. Belgium  
5. Spain  
6. Australia  
7. Poland  
8. Kazakhstan  
9. Saudi Arabia  
10. United Arab Emirates  
11. United Kingdom  
12. Germany  
13. Netherlands  
14. Indonesia  
15. Russia  
16. Thailand  
17. Malaysia  
18. Japan  
19. France  
20. United States of America  
21. Canada  
22. Italy  
23. Switzerland  
24. Sweden  
25. Norway  
26. Denmark  
27. Finland  
28. Ireland  
29. Portugal  
30. Greece  
31. Turkey  
32. South Korea  
33. Vietnam  
34. Singapore  
35. Philippines  
36. Brazil  
37. Argentina  
38. New Zealand  
39. Belarus

By RSS/Xinhua