Sri Lanka offers free visas to UK tourists to revive tourism
- Sri Lanka plans to waive visa fees for tourists from 33 countries, including the UK.
- The tourism sector is recovering, aiming to become a significant contributor to the national economy.
- The government anticipates that increased tourist arrivals will compensate for the financial loss associated with the fee waiver.
Sri Lanka, a South Asian island nation, announced plans to waive visa fees for tourists from 33 countries, including the UK, in an effort to boost its tourism sector. The decision was confirmed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath at the Hotel Show Colombo on July 25, 2025. Currently, British travellers are required to obtain a 30-day tourist visa that costs $50. The Sri Lankan government faces an estimated annual loss of £50 million by implementing this policy change; however, officials are optimistic that the increased tourist influx will offset this loss and strengthen economic growth through tourism. The visa fee waiver also extends to travelers from several major markets, including the US, Germany, Australia, and the UAE. Additionally, citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan have been able to enter Sri Lanka without a visa fee since September 2024. This prior step is seen as a trial leading to broader policy changes aimed at revitalizing the tourism industry, which showed signs of steady recovery in the preceding months. The tourism sector is a crucial part of Sri Lanka's economy, contributing significantly to national revenue and employment. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority reported welcoming over 2 million tourists in 2024, with the majority being Indian, Russian, and British visitors. The government hopes that easing visa restrictions will attract more visitors, helping to recover from setbacks faced due to economic challenges and global circumstances. Despite the anticipated economic loss from waiving visa fees, the Sri Lankan government led by Vijitha Herath believes that these efforts will result in a robust inflow of tourists, thereby ensuring a steady growth trajectory for the economy. Future growth in the tourism sector is vital for Sri Lanka, where the economy is being stabilized through various policy changes that aim to increase foreign visitor numbers and enhance the overall travel experience to the island.