Sri Lanka Grants Visa-Free Entry for Saudis, Emiratis
The initiative aligns with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the nations.
Sri Lanka will allow visa-free entry for citizens of 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, starting from October 1st, 2024. Tourists from these countries will receive a 30-day visa upon arrival, with the visa-free access valid for a six-month period.[1]
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the decision, which will ease travel for Saudi citizens. The initiative aligns with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the nations.
In June 2024, Saudi Arabia ranked third as a potential market for Sri Lankan tourism, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. The Sri Lankan Council of Ministers approved the visa-free policy following a recommendation from a committee of experts who conducted studies on the matter.
In May, it was announced that a unified tourist visa would be available for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) before the end of this year.
The rollout of the unified tourist visa aligns with the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, providing a substantial boost to the sector's contribution to regional GDP.