Sri Lanka has launched a new phase in its efforts to boost tourism, lowering the cost and hassle of obtaining a visa for holidays, family visits, or short business trips.
From May 25, 2026, many citizens from around the world will be able to obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for tourism routes for free for 30 days, with a facility for issuing double entries has also been created.
This aggressively headlines the plan, which sees 40 countries enjoy a fee-free ETA, and specifically focuses on reviving tourism and increasing short‑stay visitors.
What 40 Countries Get Under the New ETA
From 1st July, there will no longer be a need to pay a fee for a visa application for those who will board the flights for tourism or family visit purposes in Sri Lanka from countries like the UAE, India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc, even if they are citizens of any of the 40 countries, to stay for 30 days.
The free ETA will be valid for an initial period of 30 days from the date of first entry and will entitle you to make two entries over that period, which means you can leave for and return to Sri Lanka one more time without having to obtain a fresh visa.
- This is for a short visit/business ETA (online)
- Validity is 30 days starting from the first date presented; double entry is permitted
- Foreigners: No fee for tourists
How It Fits Into Sri Lanka’s Wider Visa Plan
Important notice for 🇮🇳 travellers visiting 🇱🇰
— Mahishini Colonné (@Mahishini) May 24, 2026
From 25 May 2026, all foreign nationals travelling to #SriLanka for tourism purposes must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival. Indian 🇮🇳 tourists are eligible for a FREE 30-day ETA.
Apply online:… pic.twitter.com/ijfqy5Mgwj
Sri Lanka isn’t just playing in a tilt against these countries. This year, the government expanded an ETA-qualifying pathway for nationals of 40 countries, such as India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and many key markets in Europe and the Gulf.
Nationals of these 40 countries still have to apply for an ETA online, but the visa itself is granted at no cost for 30‑day short visits.
The other participants (from countries not listed above) still swap using the normal ETA procedure and pay the normal fee and administration fee through the online application process.
The scheme forms part of a package of measures by the Sri Lankan tourism ministry to facilitate travel to the island amid years of political and economic crisis.
How To Apply: Step‑By‑Step Guide For Travellers
The entire exercise is conducted online and the basic process has not changed even in the new free‑ETA environment for Indians. It is recommended that it be applied for on the official visa-on-arrival Sri Lanka online application portal before leaving Sri Lanka. Visa-on-Arrival is not recommended on account of the recent focus on ETA before departure.
Typical tasks the Indian tourists do are:
1. Make sure to check out the official website
Visit the Sri Lanka ETA site at eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ and select the “Short Visit” / “Tourist” category.
2. Enter some basic information
Enter your passport number, date of birth, country, email and expected arrival date in Sri Lanka.
3. Fill in the visa category and visa intentions fields
Choose a visa type and purpose. Please select “Short Visit – Tourist” (or “Business” if relevant); Indians primarily take advantage of fee waivers as tourists and for short-stay business.
4. Upload required documents
This will usually consist of a scanned copy of your passport bio‑page and of a recent passport-size photo.
5. Break down the charges (only if necessary)
In case of Indian nationals who apply for tourism, the fee is exempted, which will show as “zero” or “free visa” for the applied category of the visa.
6. Get ETA by e-mail
In your email, you will receive an ETA Approval after processing (typically within 24 to 72 hours). Print it or save the PDF on your phone and show it at check‑in and immigration.
Staying Longer Than 30 Days in Sri Lanka
You can also extend the duration of your visa beyond the 30‑day free period, but you will most likely have to pay the standard visa extension fee. The exact fee and necessary documents may vary, so visitors are requested to please check the ETA website or contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo, before the 30th Day of their arrival.
Keep in mind some of the following things:
- There is no automatic extension; they can only be applied for in advance.
- Breaking any of the 30-day rules may result in a fine or a problem with the entry on subsequent trips.
Practical Implications for Travellers
The free 30-day ETA makes Sri Lanka a low-cost, short-break destination for tourists from 40 countries, especially those coming from cities on city-break trips closer to Colombo.
The main objective is to have a relaxed beach culture mix (Kandy, Galle, Negombo, Mirissa) without having to budget for the visa fees, which may be charged for visits that will last no more than a month, due to the lack of one-sided family visas being issued for that period and the multiple-day flights from Colombo covering that distance.
Simultaneously, short-term business travellers and professionals in connection with meetings or site visits to Colombo or its industrial/commercial zones are also eligible to avail the double-entry option, which provides the facility to cross over for a rapid domestic travel (e.g., to the UAE) and then return without having to go through the entire visa application process again.
Quick Reference Table: The 40‑Country Free‑ETA Group vs. Others
Here is how the 40‑country fee‑free ETA cohort compares with the rest of the world under Sri Lanka’s current rules.
| Category | Who it covers (nationality) | Visa fee for 30‑day ETA | Double entry allowed | Notes |
| 40‑country free‑ETA group | The 40 nationalities that get a free 30‑day tourist ETA are: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye (Turkey), UAE, United Kingdom, United States of America. | Free for 30‑day tourist ETA (short‑visit tourism/business) | Yes, within 30 days for short‑visit ETA | Members of this group must apply online before travel; all enjoy the same fee‑waiver scheme effective 25‑05‑2026. |
| Rest of the world | All other nationalities not in the above 40‑country list | Standard ETA fee applies for 30‑day short‑visit ETA | Rules depend on visa type and conditions | Short‑visit ETAs are still available; applicants must apply online and follow nationality‑specific fee and condition rules. |
This structure now treats the first row universally, focusing on the shared benefit across all 40 eligible countries, rather than singling out India.
Things To Keep In Mind Before You Visit Sri Lanka
The visa policy still applies to all visitors, even if they don’t have to pay, just because of their visa. Not being caught by the visa policy is not enough, even if it is free; all travellers are subject to the host country’s policy. You must:
- Must have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival
- Demonstrates onward or return travel documents (flight ticket) and sometimes provides evidence of sufficient funds or hotel reservations
- Apply for ETA online in advance, as far as possible, as early as 48–72 hours (or more, if travels are complicated) before departure
The new 30-day free ETA, from Sri Lanka, is more than a “special favour” for visitors from the 40 countries. It is more of a reflection of Sri Lanka recognising nationals from these countries as a prime high-value visitor market.
The island is banking on a chance that more Indians come back for extended visits, multiple trips and greater excursions from Colombo, having easier access to the visa embassy via the online application process, lower fees, or free visa applications, and with a generous
30-day double-entry window.
