Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand will no longer be eligible for visa-free entry from September 15, 2026, according to a new visa notice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.
Under the new measures, all Sri Lankan travellers will be required to obtain a Thai visa before departing for Thailand. Visa applications must be submitted online through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has also clarified that it will not accept visa applications submitted in person or in physical form.
According to the Embassy, tourist visa applications submitted by Sri Lankan passport holders are expected to take approximately 3–7 working days, calculated from the date on which all required documents have been duly completed and submitted.
Processing times for Non-Immigrant Visa and DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) applications may take longer.
Foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives who hold valid work or residence permits may also require additional processing time.
The Embassy has cautioned applicants that it reserves the right to request additional documents or information when necessary. Applicants may also be asked to attend a visa interview on a case-by-case basis.
The new requirement represents a significant change for Sri Lankan travellers, who will need to complete the visa process before travelling to Thailand from September 15 onward.
The Embassy has urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for the latest visa requirements, procedures and updates.
