Planning your next international holiday just got a lot easier especially if Sri Lanka has been on your bucket list. The island nation has expanded its visa-free entry policy to 40 countries, and yes, India is on that list!

This big move is part of Sri Lanka’s plan to give tourism a major boost and help the country recover from the economic challenges it faced after the pandemic and the 2022 financial crisis.

Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, made the announcement directly at the Hotel Show Colombo 2025. While the country could miss out on roughly USD 66 million annually in visa fee collections, the government believes the increase in visitors will more than make up for it in the long run.

Until recently, only seven countries including India, China, and Japan were eligible for visa-free travel. However, the Cabinet of Sri Lanka has decided to extend the privilege to 40 countries following a successful trial run that started in March 2023.

This means travelers from nations such as the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and many more can now experience Sri Lanka without going through the usual visa application process.

The minister highlighted that this step is part of a bigger tourism strategy: “Our economy is stabilized, and now our focus is on welcoming more international visitors,” he said.

For Indian travelers, this is fantastic news. Whether you’re thinking about relaxing on golden beaches, spotting leopards in national parks, or exploring centuries-old temples and fortresses, Sri Lanka is now a more accessible getaway than ever.

Countries Now Eligible for Visa-Free Entry to Sri Lanka:

India, China, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Canada, Czech Republic, Austria, Turkey, Belarus, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Poland, New Zealand, Bahrain, and Switzerland.

With this expanded visa-free policy, Sri Lanka is making it clear it’s ready to welcome the world.

Check updated visa rules on Visabud