The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to waive visa fees for 40 additional countries to boost tourism, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

He made these remarks at a ceremony held in Colombo today (25 July).

The “Hotel Show Colombo 2025” exhibition was inaugurated this morning at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall in Colombo.

The event was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

“In the past, we allowed tourists from seven countries to visit Sri Lanka without charging visa fees. The United Kingdom was among them,” Minister Herath noted.

“At the most recent Cabinet meeting, we decided to waive visa fees for entry to 40 additional countries. Accordingly, once the relevant gazette notification is issued, a total of 47 countries will be able to visit Sri Lanka without a visa fee.”

The Minister emphasized that by taking this decision, the Treasury will forgo an annual income of approximately USD 66 million.

“However, while we may lose that amount directly, we expect to generate greater indirect income for the country through the growth of the tourism industry,” he said.

“The responsibility of ensuring this growth now lies with those of you engaged in the tourism sector,” the Minister added.

List of Countries: 

1.            United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

2.            Federal Republic of Germany

3.            Kingdom of the Netherlands

4.            The Kingdom of Belgium

5.            The Kingdom of Spain

6.            The Commonwealth of Australia

7.            Republic of Poland

8.            The Republic of Kazakhstan

9.            The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

10.          The United Arab Emirates

11.          Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

12.          People’s Republic of China *

13.          The Republic of India *

14.          The Republic of Indonesia *

15.          The Russian Federation *

16.          The Kingdom of Thailand *

17.          The Federation of Malaya *

18.          Japan *

19.          Republic of France

20.          United States of America

21.          Canada

22.          Czech Republic (Czechia)

23.          Republic of Italy

24.          Swiss Confederation (Switzerland)

25.          Republic of Austria

26.          State of Israel

27.          Republic of Belarus

28.          Islamic Republic of Iran

29.          Kingdom of Sweden

30.          Republic of Finland

31.          Kingdom of Denmark

32.          Republic of Korea

33.          State of Qatar

34.          Sultanate of Oman

35.          Kingdom of Bahrain

36.          New Zealand

37.          State of Kuwait

38.          Kingdom of Norway

39.          Republic of Türkiye

40.          Pakistan