New Delhi: Having just experienced a fall, Sri Lanka wishes to elevate its economy. The best way to do so is to promote tourism in the country since Sri Lanka is known for its stunning places and the rich history of the country. It has reportedly made visa-free travel for India and 34 other countries easier. So, now you can plan your quick getaways to Sri Lanka and spend wonderful times on your holidays!
Sri Lanka closed the online visa services on August 2, 2024, due to their problems with the online portal. Visitors can no longer obtain visas online, and guests will have to obtain visas on arrival on the island. The country has canceled the e-visa service for tourists, who wish to visit as a result of this short-term measure.
🚨 Sri Lanka will be visa-free for Indians from October 1, 2024. pic.twitter.com/VpDNJiuFqV
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) October 1, 2024
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Visa-Free Entry For Citizens Of 35 Countries Starting October 1, 2024
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry, has announced that citizens of 35 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, India, Russia, South Korea, and Japan, will be granted visa-free entry into Sri Lanka from the first of October 2024 for half a year.
First steps towards a visa free regime ! pic.twitter.com/6VnQcPLkfI
— M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) August 21, 2024
Srilankan Government Introduces E-Visa Portal
Sri Lanka’s newly elected President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has unveiled an e-visa facility to make tourist arrivals in the country more uncomplicated. The facility was put on hold following allegations that the contract was awarded illegally; and with further concerns over the agreement made through outsourcing, an inquiry into the deal has been called for owing to doubts cast upon the purchase that this partnership can earn up to $2.75 billion for 16 years.
Here’s Is The Process To Apply For Visa
- Go to the online portal for visa application for the Republic of Sri Lanka.
- Start filling in your details.
- After you fill in the basic details you need to mention the passport issue date and the expiry date.
- Then add machine readable passport click on next and follow the further process.
Sri Lanka Restores Online Visa System, Eliminating $25 Fee For Tourists
Since then, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka intervened and asked immigration authorities to go back to the online visa application system, which was being used before outsourcing to VFS Global. Tourists can now apply for visas without the previously charged $25 fee that many in the industry feel is very welcome.
Sri Lanka Proposed Visa-Free Entry For 67 Countries To Boost Tourism
Last few months ago, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando, proposed allowing visitors from 67 countries to enter the country without a visa. According to the minister, the plan “is designed to attract more visitors to the island and in this way try to reach the target number of 2.3 million visitors by 2024”.
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