Pakistanis can now travel to Sri Lanka with six-month free visa scheme

Sri Lanka is moving ahead with a proposal to offer free tourist visas for six months to passport holders from 39 countries, including Pakistan, as part of efforts to support its tourism sector.

A government official said draft regulations will be presented to parliament after receiving cabinet approval. The initiative is aimed at boosting visitor numbers and supporting economic recovery.

Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said the proposal had originally been approved at a cabinet meeting on July 21, 2025. Under the scheme, eligible travellers will be granted tourist visas free of charge.

The list of countries includes Pakistan along with Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.

Officials said the draft regulations were prepared by the Legal Draftsman’s Department under the Immigration and Emigration Act. The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs before being endorsed by the cabinet.

Once cleared by parliament, the programme will be implemented for a period of six months.