Indian tourists can travel to Sri Lanka without a visa from October 1

The Sri Lankan government has announced that citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK, and the USA, will be allowed visa-free entry. Indian travellers can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 60 days without a visa. This permit will be valid for six months starting October 1, 2024, as stated by the country's Tourism Minister, Harin Fernando.

On August 2, the country's Supreme Court issued an interim order to IVS-GBS and VFS Global, directing them to suspend the e-visa service. This decision was made in response to recent developments.

Previously, following the end of the free visa scheme on May 31, 2024, it was announced that Indians could apply for an e-visa or obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka. With the e-visa service now suspended, Indian travellers can still use the visa-on-arrival option, which currently incurs a fee of approximately Rs. 4,200.

Citizens from various countries, including India, England, China, the USA, and Germany, can travel to Sri Lanka without a visa. The complete list of visa-free countries also includes the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and New Zealand.

Visa-free travel enables individuals to enter a country without needing to secure a visa in advance. This simplifies the travel process, allowing travellers to bypass complex visa procedures and save on associated fees. Typically, all that's needed is a valid passport. However, some countries may also request proof of travel arrangements or an airport tax payment upon arrival.

In 2023, Indians represented 20% of all foreign arrivals in Sri Lanka, and the new visa-free policy is anticipated to boost this figure even further. In October 2023, Sri Lanka waived visa fees for tourists from India and six other countries, with this policy set to remain in effect until May 31, 2024.

Some other countries that allow visa-free entry for Indian citizens include Angola (30 days), Barbados (90 days), Bhutan (14 days), Dominica (180 days), El Salvador (90 days), Fiji (120 days), Gambia (90 days), Grenada (90 days), Haiti (90 days), Iran (15 days), Jamaica (90 days), Malaysia (30 days), Mauritius (90 days), Nepal (90 days), Rwanda (30 days), and Thailand (30 days). This visa-free access makes travel to these destinations more convenient for Indian travelers.

When travelling to visa-free countries, you will need some basic documents. These include a valid passport, details of your duration of stay, a return ticket, funds for travel expenses, proof of accommodation, travel or medical insurance, a criminal record check, and a customs declaration.