Sri Lanka Extends Visa-Free Entry for Nationals of 7 Countries Until End of May 2024
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Visa-free travel to Sri Lanka will be extended until May 2024 for citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.
- Sri Lanka introduces an e-Visa fee waiver for the same countries, offering a 30-day single-entry option.
- The initiative, initially introduced in October 2023, has been recently extended until April 30.
Travelers from seven countries, including China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan, will enjoy visa-free travel to Sri Lanka until the end of May 2024.
According to the official Sri Lanka eVisa Website, the latter also introduced an e-Visa fee waiver scheme for citizens from the countries mentioned above. In addition, visitors can benefit from this scheme by choosing the 30-day single-entry eVisa option, VisaGuide.World reports.
Sri Lanka has transitioned from the ETA system to the new eVisa scheme. All visitors must complete an eVisa application prior to their arrival in the country.
Last year, the island country introduced a similar strategy, granting free visas to foreign travelers from China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.
Initially introduced in October 2023, this move was recently extended until 30 April 30. The aim was to lure visitors and strengthen bonds with big markets worldwide.
Since Last Year, Citizens of 48 Countries Can Enter Sri Lanka Without Visas
In April last year, Sri Lankan authorities announced that citizens coming from 48 nations were exempted from additional entry requirements after the same adopted a visa-free regime on arrival policy.
The move also signalled a departure from the previous visa system, which mandated fees ranging from $20 to $40, which applicants can acquire online or through Sri Lanka consulates and embassies.
The list of beneficiaries includes European nations and the United States, Thailand, Australia and Canada. At the same time, South Korea, New Zealand, and Russia joined these countries.
Sri Lanka Offers a Standard Tourist Visa for $75 With a 180-Day Validity
During the same period, Sri Lanka unveiled a revamped e-visa system that said tourists could obtain a standard tourist visa for $75, which comes with a generous 180-day validity period and the flexibility of a continuous 60-day stay within the country.
Notably, the visa fee structure varies for different regions. For countries within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the visa fee is set at US$35. However, visitors to Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles, and the Czech Republic can enjoy visa-free entry.
For those seeking long-term stays, Sri Lanka offers multiple entry visas tailored for different durations. A one-year visa allows multiple tourist entry, with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit, for a fee of US$300. Similarly, there are options for two-year, five-year and ten-year visas, each allowing multiple entries and limited stays of 180 days per visit, with fees set at US$500, US$1,000 and US$1,000, respectively.
Source: https://visaguide.world/news/sri-lanka-extends-visa-free-entry-for-nationals-of-7-countries-until-end-of-may-2024/
