On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Sri Lanka’s Parliament passed amendments to the Immigration and Emigration Act that are intended to allow citizens of 40 countries to obtain a free visa for a period of one year.

The measure, aimed at supporting the tourism sector, confirms progress on a plan that was already approved by the Cabinet at the end of March. However, an official implementation date has not yet been announced.

Under the proposed procedure, eligible travelers will be able to receive a free 30-day visa. Entry formalities will not be completely abolished, however: Sri Lankan authorities emphasized that travelers will still be required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance. Only the ETA fee will be waived.

If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, you will need a visa. VisaCenter can handle your Sri Lanka visa application on your behalf, saving you time and effort.