Sri Lanka’s Free ETA Scheme Delayed: Travelers Required to Pay for Now

Exciting news about visa fees in Sri Lanka has travelers buzzing. The country plans to waive Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fees for visitors from 33 additional countries. However, this change has not yet taken effect, and travelers must continue paying for their ETAs.

What Was Announced?

On July 25, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath shared plans to expand the current ETA fee waiver. Currently, this waiver applies to seven countries, but the goal is to cover 40 nations. The intention behind this move is to attract more tourists and boost the local travel industry.

Why There’s Confusion

This announcement is reminiscent of a similar situation in 2024. At that time, Sri Lanka indicated plans to broaden visa exemptions but delayed the actual implementation. As of now, no official decree is available, and the Sri Lankan immigration website (eta.gov.lk) remains unchanged. Additionally, there is no confirmed start date for the fee waiver.

Current Rules for Travelers

Until any official changes occur, travelers must adhere to the existing ETA process:

• Apply for an ETA: Ensure you have your ETA before traveling.
• Fee: The cost remains USD 50.
• ETA Validity: The ETA is valid for six months, allows two entries, and permits a stay of up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days).

Who Qualifies for the Free ETA?

Currently, only travelers from the following seven countries can enjoy the free ETA:

• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Russia
• Thailand

This applies to holders of ordinary, diplomatic, official, or service passports from these nations.

The 33 Countries Under Consideration

If the new policy goes into effect, these are the 33 countries being considered for the ETA waiver:

Asia

• Iran
• Israel
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Nepal
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates

Europe

• Austria
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom

Oceania

• Australia
• New Zealand

Americas

• Canada
• United States

Other

• Bahrain

Note: Malaysia and Japan are already part of the current seven countries.

Why This Matters for Travelers

Tourism plays a vital role in Sri Lanka’s economy. In 2024, the country attracted over two million visitors and aims to exceed three million this year. Waiving visa fees could significantly contribute to this goal, despite an anticipated revenue loss of $66 million. Officials remain optimistic that increased tourist numbers will offset this loss.

Bottom Line

Currently, the ETA visa fee waiver for 33 new countries is just a proposed plan. So, if you are traveling to Sri Lanka, take these steps to stay informed:

• Don’t assume your country qualifies for the waiver.
• Apply for your ETA as usual.
• Pay the required fee.