The Government of Sri Lanka has moved to ease travel for a broad set of visitors by offering visa-free entry to Russians and citizens of six other nations. This update was shared by Ali Sabri, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via social media on X, signaling a notable shift in the country’s visa policy.
The policy announcement makes clear that the cabinet has approved free visas for travelers from Russia, along with a group of other countries, as part of a new visa regime. This aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader push to attract more international visitors and to simplify the entry process for travelers arriving from key markets.
In a pilot phase, Sri Lanka will grant visa-free entry to citizens from India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia with immediate effect. The arrangement is designed to operate as a provisional measure until March 31, 2024, after which its status would be reassessed in light of evolving travel demand and security considerations. This approach allows Sri Lanka to test the impact of waiving visa fees on tourism flows while maintaining a clear timeline for evaluation.
On October 15, Sri Lankan authorities announced the elimination of visa fees for travelers from several major markets. Specifically, citizens of the Russian Federation, China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia would no longer incur visa charges, a change that is expected to simplify planning and budgeting for international visitors and could influence winter travel itineraries for both individuals and tour groups.
Looking back, industry observers had noted Russia’s sustained interest in Sri Lankan holidays during the winter season. Earlier reporting highlighted that destinations such as Thailand and the United Arab Emirates continued to be favored by Russian travelers during the northern-hemisphere winter, a trend that some markets witnessed again this year as people started to map out their year-end and New Year getaways. The recent visa policy changes appear to be part of a broader strategy to capture a share of this seasonal travel demand by reducing friction for travelers from these countries.
For travelers and travel planners, the practical takeaway is that Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a more accessible option for winter travel, with potential cost savings from waived visa fees and a streamlined entry process. Tour operators and travel agencies may respond by showcasing Sri Lanka as a compelling winter escape, especially for visitors from Russia, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia who are arranging trips at the tail end of the year or at the start of the new year. In parallel, travellers are advised to verify the current status of visa requirements closer to departure, as policy details can change with new government decisions and periodic reviews. Weighing the benefits of visa-free access against other considerations—such as travel advisories, flight availability, and local entry requirements—will help travelers optimize their itineraries for the upcoming season. (Source: Sri Lankan government announcements and travel policy briefings.)