Sri Lanka will introduce a six‑month program granting free tourist visas to passport holders from 39 selected countries, in a bid to boost the nation’s tourism industry.
Approval for the initiative was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on July 21, 2025.
Under the Immigration and Emigration Act, draft regulations prepared by the Legal Draftsman for the issuance of free visas will be presented to Parliament for approval.
The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and received Cabinet endorsement.
The government expects the move to encourage more visitors and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a leading travel destination.
The selected countries, as announced by Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa at the post- Cabinet media briefing held today (31), are as follows;
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- 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
- Turkey
- UAE
- United Kingdom
- United States (Newswire)
