Sri Lanka Visa Woes: Tourists Face Long Waits and Uncertainty

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is grappling with a severe crisis as the government struggles to resolve the ongoing visa debacle.

The controversial VFS Global e-visa system, plagued by high fees and operational difficulties, has been suspended by the courts following public outcry. However, the replacement system has also been fraught with challenges, leaving tourists stranded and uncertain.

Cabinet Sub-Committee Appointed for Resolution

Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardana confirmed that the issue was discussed in detail at a recent cabinet meeting. He disclosed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had formed a cabinet sub-committee tasked with resolving the matter swiftly.

“We are committed to finding a solution and will inform the public as soon as we have one in place,” Minister Gunawardana assured.

Challenges with the VFS Global System

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles explained that the delay in restoring the Mobitel platform stems from the recent overhaul of the Department of Immigration’s back-end system to integrate with the VFS Global framework.

This system change introduced new visa categories, making a return to the old Mobitel platform more complex than anticipated.

Short-term tourist visas have been particularly problematic. Many travellers reported that the VFS Global site was difficult to navigate, especially when it came to uploading passport photos. The platform’s requirements for specific photo sizes often led to rejections, causing frustration, particularly among older visitors.

Minister Alles indicated that adjustments to the VFS Global system could be considered, provided that specific problems were communicated.

Temporary Visa-on-Arrival System Introduced

Amid the suspension of the e-visa system, Sri Lanka has introduced a temporary visa-on-arrival program to ease the burden on travellers.

This measure allows tourists to obtain their visas upon landing at select airports across the country, providing a stopgap solution while the government works to resolve the e-visa issues.

The visa-on-arrival program is seen as a relief for many travellers who were previously stuck in visa application limbo.

However, the system comes with its challenges, including longer wait times at immigration and potential congestion at airports. Travel experts have advised visitors to prepare for possible delays during the visa-on-arrival process.

Looking Ahead

The Sri Lankan government is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, with the cabinet sub-committee actively seeking a permanent solution. In the meantime, the visa-on-arrival system offers temporary relief for tourists, though a long-term fix for the e-visa platform remains a priority.

As Sri Lanka continues to address these challenges, the travel industry is hopeful for a more efficient and user-friendly visa application system that will help boost tourism in the coming months.