Sri Lanka Resumes Online Visa, Expands Visa-Free Entry to 35 Countries

Sri Lanka has revived its online visa system after suspending a controversial outsourcing deal. The country now offers visa-free access for travelers from 35 nations and continues to provide visas on arrival for others. These changes are part of Sri Lanka's efforts to rejuvenate its tourism industry.
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Sri Lanka has announced the reopening of its online visa application (e-Visa) platform, a move aimed at revitalizing the country’s tourism industry. The government made this decision after terminating a contentious multimillion-dollar outsourcing contract awarded to a foreign consortium.

The reinstatement of the online visa service aims to simplify the entry process for tourists as the island nation continues to recover from the economic crisis that plagued it in 2022.

Why the e-visa Process Was Suspended?

The suspension of the e-Visa visa system was a result of a multimillion-dollar outsourcing contract awarded to a foreign consortium, led by India-based VFS Global.

The agreement, made in April 2023, faced criticism from rights groups who raised concerns over a lack of transparency in the bidding process. Critics also highlighted the potential for the consortium to profit billions over the 16-year contract period.

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The deal required travelers to pay a $25 visa processing fee, but the government scrapped it when they reinstated their in-house online visa platform.

Streamlining Visa Access to Boost Tourism

To further encourage tourism, Sri Lanka has also introduced a new initiative granting visa-free entry to citizens of 35 countries, including India, for a trial period of six months starting on October 1, 2024. This move is aimed at attracting more international visitors to the island.

Previously, Sri Lanka tested a similar program in 2023, offering free visas to travelers from key markets such as;

  1. India
  2. China
  3. Russia
  4. Malaysia
  5. Japan
  6. Indonesia
  7. Thailand

Though the initiative ended in March 2024, it successfully boosted tourism, leading to the decision to expand visa-free access to a larger number of countries.

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Alternative for Tourists: Visa on Arrival

For travelers from countries not covered under the visa-free program, Sri Lanka offers the option of obtaining a visa on arrival. This makes travel to the country more accessible, ensuring that all visitors can easily enjoy its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant history.

With the revival of the online visa platform for e-visas and expanded visa-free access, Sri Lanka hopes to welcome more tourists, aiding the country’s ongoing recovery and revitalization of its tourism industry.

Conclusion

These changes come as Sri Lanka seeks to rebuild its economy after a financial crisis in 2022 severely impacted its tourism revenue. By simplifying the visa process and reducing costs for travelers, the government is optimistic about the future of tourism on the island.


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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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