Sri Lanka has announced that nationals from 40 countries, including India, will be eligible to obtain a free tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for stays of up to 30 days, with effect from May 25, 2026.
According to the revised policy, the free ETA facility will apply to travellers holding diplomatic, official, service and ordinary passports from eligible countries.
The list of 40 countries includes 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, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Sri Lankan authorities clarified that all foreign nationals, including citizens of the 40 eligible countries as well as travellers covered under bilateral reciprocal agreements with Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, must continue to obtain an ETA prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.
Under the bilateral agreement between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Maldivian nationals will continue to receive a 90-day tourist visa through the ETA system.
The government stated that ETA applications for travellers from the eligible 40 countries, as well as nationals of the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, will be processed free of charge under the new scheme.
However, authorities noted that ETA fees paid before May 25, 2026, will not be refunded.
Under the revised framework, eligible travellers will receive a free tourist visa valid for 30 days with a double-entry facility permitted within the validity period from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.
Travellers wishing to extend their stay beyond 30 days will be able to apply for visa extensions upon payment of the applicable extension fees.
Sri Lankan authorities further clarified that travellers from countries not included under the revised free ETA scheme will continue to remain subject to the existing rules and regulations governing Sri Lanka’s ETA system.
