Visiting Sri Lanka, known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean†for its natural beauty, cultural treasures, and stunning food scene, is set to become easier and more affordable for British tourists with the announcement of new visa rules. The government revealed that visas for UK tourists will be free starting from October as part of a plan to boost the country’s tourism sector. This six-month pilot programme will run from October 1 to April 1, 2025, offering free 30-day visas to tourists upon arrival.
Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana explained, “The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry.†The visa scheme extends to tourists from 34 other countries, including the UK, Germany, China, India, and Australia. Sri Lanka, home to 22 million people, is renowned for its beaches, ancient temples, and delicious local cuisine.
Despite facing challenges such as the impact of COVID-19 and a financial crisis in 2022, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has shown signs of recovery. Last year saw nearly two million arrivals by mid-August, with the UK ranking as the second largest source of tourists after India, welcoming 123,992 British visitors. Interest in travelling to Sri Lanka has surged following the announcement of the free UK tourist visa programme, with Google searches for “travel to Sri Lanka†increasing by 566% in the past month, according to data from holiday providers like Travel Republic.
Gemma Brown, Head of Product at Travel Republic, highlighted the significance of Sri Lanka’s new visa policy in making the destination more accessible and affordable for UK travellers. The waiver of the standard $50 (£38) visa fee and the simplified visa application process are expected to attract more British tourists. However, this trial period for the free visa programme is only set to last for six months, until April 2025, after which it will be re-evaluated.
The changes are anticipated to elevate Sri Lanka’s appeal as a travel destination for UK tourists, evident in the increased interest shown through online searches. Travellers from the UK have a limited time to take advantage of the visa-free programme before the trial period ends next year.