The Department of Immigration and Emigration introduced a 30-day Sri Lankan tourist visa that is free of charge for 40 eligible countries, effective May 25, 2026.

Key takeaways:

This visa fee waiver allows tourists from the 40 eligible countries (view full list here) to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at no charge. Nationals of countries not included on the list will continue to follow standard Sri Lankan ETA regulations.

The ETA is valid for 30 days for nationals of the eligible countries and for 90 days for nationals of Maldives, including double-entry permission.

Tourists who obtain a visa under this scheme and want to stay beyond 30 days may apply for a visa extension, subject to applicable fees.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. 

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.  

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has officially implemented the Digital Nomad Visa allowing foreign nationals to live and work remotely in Sri Lanka.

Key takeaways:

A digital nomad visa was announced in 2023 but has not been implemented until now.

The Digital Nomad Visa allows visa holders to:

  • Reside in Sri Lanka for up to one year (renewable)
  • Enroll dependent children in international or private schools
  • Access Sri Lankan telecommunication, internet and utility services
  • Enter property rental or lease agreements
  • Open and maintain personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka

To be eligible, applicants must be over 18 years old, service clients/earn income exclusively outside of Sri Lanka and meet a minimum monthly remittance of US$2,000.

The application fee is US$500 per applicant.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Sri Lankan government has reinitiated its previous electronic travel authorization (ETA) visa system.

Key Points:

  • As BAL previously reported, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued an interim order suspending the new eVisa platform, which was implemented in April 2024.
  • The Department of Immigration and Emigration has now reopened the old ETA system as a temporary measure for tourist and business visas.

Additional Information: The Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the eVisa considered fundamental rights petitions that challenged potential procedural violations and negative impacts to the Sri Lankan tourism sector. Travelers who have applied and obtained an eVisa from the new system will not be affected and will be able to utilize their visas if they applied before 5 p.m. IST on Aug. 2. BAL will continue following updates on the new eVisa platform and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Sri Lanka has expanded its visa-free entry policy to 35 countries.

Key Points:

  • The government recently extended the visa-free travel policy for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand.
  • Effective Oct. 1, foreign nationals from 35 countries will qualify for visa-free entry and be granted a single-entry tourist visa for a maximum period of 30 days.
  • The policy is effective for six months and includes the following countries:
    • Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.

Additional Information: As BAL previously reported, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka recently issued an interim order suspending a new eVisa platform, which was originally implemented in April 2024. Government officials have recently undertaken several policy updates designed to simplify the visa system and attract more investors and tourists, and the new visa-free expansion is designed to compete with neighboring destinations in the field of tourism.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued an interim order suspending the new eVisa platform, which was implemented in April 2024.

Key Points:

  • The Department of Immigration and Emigration is in the process of reinitiating the previous electronic travel authorization (ETA) visa system that was in place before the introduction of the new eVisa system. The government has not yet confirmed when the old ETA visa system will be online.
  • In the meantime, travelers from eligible countries may apply for on-arrival 30-day tourist visas.
  • Business visas are currently suspended indefinitely.

Additional Information: Travelers who have applied and obtained an eVisa from the new system will not be affected and will be able to utilize their visas as long as they applied before 5:00 p.m. IST on Aug. 2, 2024.

BAL Analysis: The Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the eVisa considered fundamental rights petitions that challenged the potential procedural violations and negative impacts to the Sri Lankan tourism sector. BAL will continue following the suspension and will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Sri Lanka has published regulations for a new permanent residence visa scheme.

Key Points:

  • As BAL previously reported, government officials have announced several policy updates recently that are designed to simplify the visa system and attract more investors and tourists.
  • The government has now approved a policy update that will allow eligible persons of Sri Lankan descent and their dependents to obtain a permanent residence visa to live and work in Sri Lanka.
  • The initial visa will have a 10-year validity period with renewal capability.
  • The policy change is a result of several appeals the government has received recently from Sri Lankans living overseas who have been unable to obtain dual citizenship due to existing laws in their respective countries.
  • The implementation plan for the new visa scheme is currently being created by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Additional Information: Under the regulations, a person of Sri Lankan descent or whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased under the Citizenship Act may apply for the new permanent residence visa. In addition, certain non-Sri Lankan spouses and dependents are eligible. The primary applicant will be required to pay US$1,000 for the visa, while a non-Sri Lankan spouse and child will be charged US$400 each.

BAL Analysis: The new visa will provide permanent residency access to persons of Sri Lankan descent and their dependents who are currently unable to apply for dual citizenship. BAL will continue following the implementation of the new visa scheme and will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Sri Lanka has launched its official eVisa application website.

Key Points:

  • The Department of Immigration and Emigration has transitioned from the ETA system to the new eVisa scheme for tourist and business visas, operated by IVS-GBS and VFS Global.
  • The Department of Immigration and Emigration has also implemented new sub-visa categories under the tourist and business visa categories.
  • Sri Lankan authorities recently implemented visa-free travel for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand. Nationals of these countries are still required to apply for an eVisa prior to travel and should select the 30-day single-entry eVisa option when applying on the new online system. The eVisa fee waiver scheme is valid until May 31.

BAL Analysis: As BAL previously reported, government officials have recently announced several other policy updates designed to simplify the visa system and attract more investors and tourists.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The government of Sri Lanka extended its visa-free entry policy for nationals from seven countries until May 31.

Key Points:

  • The government extended its visa-free travel policy for nationals from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand.
  • The application process is transitioning from the Electronic Travel Authorization system to the new eVisa scheme. Nationals from these countries will still be required to complete an eVisa application prior to their arrival in the country.
  • The scheme will grant a single-entry stay for a maximum period of 30 days.

BAL Analysis: As BAL previously reported, government officials said this new policy initiative, along with several other recent policy updates, are designed to simplify the visa system and attract more investors and tourists.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Sri Lankan government will implement new measures designed to simplify visa policies, improve residence access and attract more investors and tourists.

Key Points:

  • The measures include the following changes:
    • Instead of renewing visas annually, a new policy will allow foreign students to complete their entire period of study by making a one-time payment of US$200.
    • A new digital nomad visa will permit foreign nationals with a monthly income of US$2,000 or more to reside in Sri Lanka.
    • A new “investment visa” category will be introduced under the residence visa. This new category will replace the following existing residence visa categories:
      • Golden Paradise
      • Condominium
      • Resident Guest Scheme
      • My Dream
    • A new residence visa category will be created for Colombo Port City Economic Commission expatriate staff, including spouses and dependent children.
    • A new residence visa category will open for Sri Lankan nationals’ foreign spouses, including parents and dependents of the foreign spouse.
    • A new residence visa category will be introduced to restore Sri Lankan citizenship that has lapsed and will include dependent children, foreign parents and widows.

Additional Information: Sri Lankan authorities will also implement visa-free travel for nationals from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand. The authorization will be in effect until March 31, 2024. Nationals of these countries will still be required to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization prior to travel. The scheme will grant a stay of up to 30 days with multiple entries.

BAL Analysis: Government officials said these new policy initiatives are designed to simplify the visa system and attract more investors and tourists. The new measures should benefit employees, as well as foreign spouses and students who wish to stay in Sri Lanka. The new schemes should take effect by the end of 2023. BAL will continue following the implementation of these measures and will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Sri Lankan government recently launched its “Golden Paradise” visa program for investors.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now apply for the 10-year “Golden Paradise” investor visa through this website.
  • To be eligible for the investor visa, individuals must:
    • Open a “Golden Paradise” bank account and deposit at least US$100,000. Visa holders will be able to withdraw $50,000 after the first year.
    • Email proof of their bank deposit, six-month police record, medical report and a copy of their passport biographical page to goldenparadise@immigration.gov.lk when notified to submit such evidence.
    • Compete the Residence Visa application and the Personal Particular form.
  • Foreign nationals who obtain a visa can sponsor spouses and dependent children.
  • Individuals will not be allowed to work while in Sri Lanka on the investor visa.

Additional Information: More information regarding the “Golden Paradise” investor visa is available here.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals who meet the investment requirements of the new program are now eligible to apply for the long-term visa.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.