May 26, Kathmandu – Sri Lanka has introduced a 30-day free tourist visa scheme for citizens of 40 countries, including Nepal. According to an announcement from Sri Lanka’s immigration system, this regulation took effect on May 25, 2026. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu stated in a press release that under the new arrangement, Nepali travelers will no longer need to pay visa fees to visit Sri Lanka. However, obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online prior to travel is mandatory.
The embassy’s notification emphasized that although the visa is free, all travelers must apply through the ETA system and gain approval before entering Sri Lanka. Under this provision, tourists are allowed up to two entries within 30 days from their initial date of entry. This free ETA service is available to holders of ordinary, diplomatic, and official passports.
Tourists wishing to stay in Sri Lanka for more than 30 days can extend their visa by paying the prescribed visa fees. The embassy’s website clarifies that applicants who paid ETA fees before the regulation’s commencement (before May 25, 2026) will not be refunded. Alongside Nepal, countries such as India, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Malaysia, and others make up the list of 40 eligible nations. Citizens of the Maldives, under a mutual agreement, are granted a 90-day free tourist visa. According to the press release from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu, this facility can be accessed either online or by directly contacting the embassy.
