Sri Lanka Parliament Approves Free ETA for 40 Countries — UAE, GCC, Indian, Pakistani Travellers Exempt from USD 50 Fee (ETA Still Mandatory)

On Thursday 7 May 2026, the Sri Lanka Parliament approved regulations under the Immigration and Emigration Act, expanding the country's free ETA scheme to 40 countries for a one-year period. The Cabinet had earlier approved the proposal on 30 March 2026 (covering 39 countries at that stage), and the formal Parliamentary approval finalises the policy with an additional country added.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Vijitha Herath, confirmed the accelerated rollout. The scheme is designed to offset a 22% decline in tourist arrivals (March 2026 vs March 2025) caused by Middle East tensions, air connectivity disruptions, and elevated travel costs.

The 40 eligible countries fall into two groups: those that already enjoyed free ETA before this approval, and those newly added by the Parliamentary regulation.

Important: nationalities NOT on the list — including Filipino, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan diaspora, Egyptian, Lebanese, Nigerian, and most African passport holders — still pay the USD 50 ETA fee under the regular tourist regime.

The single most misunderstood part of this announcement is that "free visa" does NOT mean "no application required". Eligible travellers must still complete the Sri Lanka ETA application online before travelling. The fee is waived — the process is not.

The change is purely a fee waiver. Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration continues to screen every applicant, deny applications that fall short of the entry criteria, and reserve the right to refuse entry at the airport even with an approved ETA.

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular short-haul leisure destinations for UAE residents — beaches, hill country, cultural triangle, and direct flights from Dubai under 5 hours. The free ETA scheme dramatically reduces the cost barrier for the majority of UAE-resident nationalities.

For a family of four travelling on eligible passports, the saving is up to USD 200 (~AED 735) on ETA fees alone. This is a meaningful incentive for short-haul Sri Lanka holidays from Dubai.

1. 1Visit the official Sri Lanka ETA portal at eta.gov.lk. Avoid third-party sites — only the official portal can issue valid ETAs.
2. 2Click "Apply" and select your nationality. The system will confirm your free ETA eligibility automatically based on your passport.
3. 3Fill in personal details exactly as per your passport — name spelling, passport number, and date of birth must match.
4. 4Provide travel details: arrival date, accommodation in Sri Lanka, return flight booking.
5. 5Submit the application. No payment is required for eligible nationalities — the system shows USD 0.
6. 6Receive ETA approval by email — typically 1-3 business days.
7. 7Print the approved ETA PDF and carry it with your valid passport when travelling.

Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration confirms that approved ETA holders enjoy multiple-entry rights for the validity period and a maximum 30-day stay per visit.

The Sri Lankan government will assess tourism arrival numbers, revenue impact, and traveller feedback during the 6-month review. Continuation, expansion to more countries, or revision of conditions are all on the table at that point.

1. 1If you are an eligible nationality (UAE, GCC, Pakistani, Indian, UK, US, EU, etc.) planning Sri Lanka travel, apply for the free ETA at eta.gov.lk before booking non-refundable flights.
2. 2Allow 1-3 business days for ETA approval. Apply at least one week before travel for buffer.
3. 3Carry your printed ETA approval together with your valid passport on the day of travel.
4. 4For families: each traveller (including children) needs an individual ETA application — even though all are free for eligible nationalities.
5. 5If you are NOT on the eligible list (Filipino, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Lebanese, Nigerian, etc.), the standard USD 50 ETA fee still applies. Apply via the same portal.
6. 6Do NOT use third-party "expediter" sites that charge inflated fees — the official eta.gov.lk portal is direct and free for eligible nationalities.
7. 7Verify the latest list of eligible countries on eta.gov.lk before each trip — additions and removals are at the discretion of the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration.
8. 8Contact OraVisa for Sri Lanka travel planning, including documentation review and family-trip coordination.

This update is based on Parliamentary approval announced on 7 May 2026 under the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Act, and corroborating coverage from the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration (immigration.gov.lk), the Sri Lanka ETA portal (eta.gov.lk), Business Today, and MICE Travel Advisor. Information is provided for general guidance to UAE residents. The free ETA scheme is initially valid for one year from approval, subject to review at the 6-month mark. For the latest official information, visit eta.gov.lk before applying or travelling.