Sri Lanka rolls out free ETA access for travellers from 40 countries from May 25

Travellers from 40 countries, including India, will no longer be required to pay visa processing fees for short-term visits of up to 30 days, with a double-entry facility allowed.

Sri Lanka has announced a free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facility for travellers from 40 countries, including India, in a move aimed at boosting tourism and simplifying entry procedures for international visitors. The new policy will come into effect from May 25, 2026.

Under the revised system, eligible travellers will no longer be required to pay visa processing fees for short-term visits of up to 30 days, with a double-entry facility allowed within this validity. Visitors, however, must still obtain an ETA online before travelling to Sri Lanka.

The free ETA scheme applies to citizens of 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.

For Indian travellers, the new arrangement is expected to make travel to Sri Lanka faster and more convenient. Although Indian passport holders previously had access to visa-on-arrival facilities, passengers were still required to complete immigration formalities after landing.
With the introduction of the no-cost ETA system, travellers can now complete the authorisation process digitally before departure, helping reduce waiting times and streamline arrivals at Sri Lankan airports.