Sri Lanka has introduced a free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourists from 40 countries with effect from 25 May, the Department of Immigration and Emigration said.

The scheme applies to nationals holding diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports from Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The free ETA will be valid for 30 days and will allow double entry from the date of first arrival within the validity period.

The department said all foreign nationals, including those covered by the free visa scheme and nationals of Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, must obtain an ETA before arrival.

Under Sri Lanka’s bilateral agreement with Maldives, Maldivian nationals will continue to receive a 90-day tourist visa through the ETA system.

The ETA will be processed free of charge for eligible applicants. However, ETA fees paid before 25 May will not be refunded.

Visitors who wish to remain in Sri Lanka beyond 30 days may apply for an extension by paying the applicable visa fee. Nationals of countries not covered by the free ETA scheme will continue to be subject to Sri Lanka’s general ETA rules.