Visa on arrival for 39 countries from May 1 till October; see full list of countries

Cabinet approval to issue visa on arrival to tourists visiting Sri Lanka from 39 countries will come into effect from May 1 and will continue till October 2019.

Cabinet  decided to issue these visas on gratis basis as an incentive to attract tourists.The programme which is a pilot project will be effective for an initial period of six months, a statement from the Tourism Development Ministry said adding that the programme will be considered for continuation thereafter based on the progress achieved during the pilot period.

The Cabinet Memorandum in this regard was presented by Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga and received Cabinet approval on March 19 2019.a.

The countries included in the visa on arrival programme are as follows:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Cambodia
5. Croatia
6. Cyprus
7. Czech Republic
8. Denmark
9. Estonia
10. Finland
11. France
12. Germany
13. Greece
14. Hungary
15. Ireland
16. Italy
17. Latvia
18. Lithuania
19. Luxembourg
20. Malta
21. Netherlands
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Romania
25. Slovak Republic
26. Slovenia
27. Spain
28. Sweden
29. United Kingdom
30. United States of America
31. Japan
32. Australia
33. South Korea
34. Canada
35. Singapore
36. New Zealand
37. Malaysia
38. Thailand
39. Switzerland

Minister Amaratunga was quoted as saying the programme was being introduced to boost arrivals during what is usually perceived as the ‘off season.’ 

The Department of Immigration and Emigration is now in the process of making necessary arrangements to implement the visa on arrival programme from May 1.