pakistan
Sri Lanka launches free tourist visa scheme
Key takeaways
- According to a circular issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration on May 19, the move follows Cabinet approval granted on March 30, 2026, before later receiving parliamentary endorsement.
- The circular also instructed Sri Lankan diplomatic missions and relevant authorities to inform travellers about the updated entry requirements.
- The requirement will also apply to citizens of the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, who were previously exempt from the ETA process.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Add ARY News on Google AAResize Sri Lanka has officially confirmed that its new free tourist visa scheme for citizens of 40 selected countries will come into effect on May 25, 2026, under the country’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.
According to a circular issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration on May 19, the move follows Cabinet approval granted on March 30, 2026, before later receiving parliamentary endorsement.
The circular also instructed Sri Lankan diplomatic missions and relevant authorities to inform travellers about the updated entry requirements.
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