Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath told Business Today on 12 April 2026 that Colombo will seek cabinet approval next week to widen its pilot free-ETA scheme from seven nations to 40. India, already eligible for the fee waiver, remains central to the expansion as visitor arrivals dip amid Middle-East flight disruptions. Under the proposal, citizens of Australia, most EU states, the US, Gulf countries and South-East Asia would join India, China and Russia in receiving complimentary 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisations through March 2027. Officials project the broadened list could lift arrivals by 18 % and inject an extra USD 500 million into tourism receipts this year. The free-ETA pilot, launched in October 2025, helped push Indian arrivals to 39,000 in March, but overall visitor numbers fell 22 % after airlines rerouted away from conflict zones. Hoteliers on the south-west coast report cancellations from Europe averaging 15 %.
![Sri Lanka Fast-Tracks Plan to Extend Free ETA Visas to 40 Countries, Keeps India on List]()
For travellers eager to take advantage of Sri Lanka’s evolving ETA policies, VisaHQ offers a streamlined online application service that cuts through bureaucracy and delivers fast, trackable approvals; Indian citizens can start the process in minutes at https://www.visahq.com/india/
Extending the waiver is seen as a low-cost stimulus while the central bank keeps capital-control rules tight. Indian tour operators welcome the move but urge clarity on airport processing. They note that dual processes—visa-on-arrival and ETA—have confused travellers and airline check-in staff. Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration says new QR-coded approvals and a simplified e-payment portal will go live before any launch date. Corporates running incentive trips should verify that employees use the ETA pre-clearance to avoid queues at Bandaranaike International Airport.
For travellers eager to take advantage of Sri Lanka’s evolving ETA policies, VisaHQ offers a streamlined online application service that cuts through bureaucracy and delivers fast, trackable approvals; Indian citizens can start the process in minutes at https://www.visahq.com/india/
Extending the waiver is seen as a low-cost stimulus while the central bank keeps capital-control rules tight. Indian tour operators welcome the move but urge clarity on airport processing. They note that dual processes—visa-on-arrival and ETA—have confused travellers and airline check-in staff. Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration says new QR-coded approvals and a simplified e-payment portal will go live before any launch date. Corporates running incentive trips should verify that employees use the ETA pre-clearance to avoid queues at Bandaranaike International Airport.
