Previously, visitors had to apply for the $50 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travelling to the country. However, the destination has now extended ETA-free entry to a further 40 countries, including the UK, for stays of up to 30 days. The change took effect on Monday (25 May).

Nationals from seven mainly Asian countries had previously been eligible to visit without an ETA. Sri Lanka's parliament approved the measure earlier this month, with public security minister Ananda Wijepala saying the measure would support the recovery of Sri Lanka's tourism sector.

Sam Clark, co-founder and managing director of Sri Lanka specialist tour operator Experience Travel Group, said: "This is absolutely the right move at the right time.

"Demand softened during the recent Middle East airspace disruption, through no fault of Sri Lanka’s, and the country now needs every possible reason for travellers to place it back on their shortlist.

"Free ETAs, combined with direct British Airways flights from October, create a compelling incentive for people to discover or rediscover this remarkable island.”

The Foreign Office confirmed the change in an update to its Sri Lanka travel advice on Tuesday (26 May). The advice now states ETAs will be issued free of charge as of 25 May 2026. Visitors can apply for extensions on the initial 30 days through the country's official immigration portal.

The FCDO warns overstaying could lead to detention, a fine, deportation, a travel ban or future entry refusal.

The change took effect days after Sri Lanka's prime minister Harini Amarasuriya wrapped up an official visit to the UK, during which she met with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper and education secretary Bridget Phillipson, and discussed various issues including student mobility, trade and exports, and the country's recovery from Cyclone Ditwah.