Are we getting closer to resolving the “visa crisis” in Sri Lanka? We hope so, and so do tourists and travel professionals.

For the past month, following the suspension of its e-Visa system due to problems with its management by a foreign consortium, Sri Lanka has been issuing visas on arrival to its international visitors.

To simplify its entry procedures and attract more travelers, the country unveiled a few days ago an initiative of free visas for citizens of 35 countries starting October 1, 2024.

While waiting to find out whether this ease of entry to the island will result in the issuance of an e-Visa, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a Visa on Arrival free of charge, Sri Lanka today announced a new measure for entry into the country…

According to Ali Sabry, “this decision will help ease congestion at visa counters”.

Indeed, many Sri Lankan media are reporting today that long queues have been observed over the past few days at visa on arrival counters at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.

“Today cabinet approved one chop system like in Singapore for the 38 countries with visa free to start with immediate effect , also have given president full authority to execute the operation, this will definitely help ease the congestion currently face by tourist”, adds former Tourism Minister and Presidential Advisor on Tourism Affairs Harin Fernando on X.

Interviewed by the Daily Mirror, Harin Fernando explains that “this indicates that the visa has been approved and authorised without the need for additional approvals or complicated procedures. This approach is designed to expedite the process making it quicker and more straightforward for applicants”.

38 countries (finally ?) exempt from visa requirements for Sri Lanka

Few information for the moment on this next “One-Chop” system, a simplified procedure notably set up by Singapore to facilitate and accelerate administrative formalities related to immigration, particularly with regard to visas and work permits.

In visa context, “One-Chop” refers to a process by which all the necessary formalities are completed in a single step, often by a single authority, and result in rapid approval.

While the previous statement listed 35 countries as eligible for free visas, the Sri Lankan authorities are now announcing a visa waiver for 38 nationalities, without specifying for the moment which nations will be eligible.

The 35 countries on the initial list “were” as follows:

• Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

Free visa, exemption from visa formalities, definitive list of eligible countries, precise date of entry into force of these measures, … more information should be available in the next few days.