According to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, the move is aimed at promoting tourism, attracting more international visitors, and strengthening travel ties with key partner nations. Travelers from the selected countries will now be able to apply for tourist entry permits without paying the usual ETA processing fee.
The countries covered under the new scheme include 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, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Citizens holding diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports from these nations are eligible for the free tourist ETA.
Despite the fee waiver, authorities stressed that all foreign nationals must still obtain an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka. This requirement also applies to travelers from countries with reciprocal visa arrangements, including Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore.
Under the current arrangement, tourists can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days with double-entry access during the validity period. Maldivian nationals, however, are permitted to stay for up to 90 days. Visitors seeking to extend their stay beyond the permitted period may apply for a visa extension by paying the relevant extension fees.
The Department of Immigration & Emigration further noted that applicants who paid ETA fees before today’s implementation date will not be eligible for refunds. Apart from the waiver of ETA processing charges for eligible visitors, all existing rules and regulations governing the ETA system will continue to remain in effect.
