By Sri Lanka has announced that it will allow visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries starting October 1, 2024, as part of a strategy to boost tourism. The list includes countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, India, China, and Japan. This decision is intended to make Sri Lanka a more attractive destination for international travelers, potentially increasing tourist arrivals and benefiting the local economy.
List of countries to be offered visa-free access to Sri Lanka:
1. United Kingdom
2. Germany
3. Netherlands
4. Belgium
5. Spain
6. Australia
7. Denmark
8. Poland
9. Kazakhstan
10. Saudi Arabia
11. UAE
12. Nepal
13. China
14. India
15. Indonesia
16. Russia
17. Thailand
18. Malaysia
19. Japan
20. France
21. United States
22. Canada
23. Czech Republic
24. Italy
25. Switzerland
26. Austria
27. Israel
28. Belarus
29. Iran
30. Sweden
31. South Korea
32. Qatar
33. Oman
34. Bahrain
35. New Zealand
Countries with the most visa-free or visa-on-arrival access are typically ranked highly on the Henley Passport Index. As of 2024, Japan, Singapore, and Germany usually hold top spots, offering their citizens access to around 190 countries without requiring a visa in advance. These countries benefit from strong diplomatic ties and global mobility, making travel easier for their citizens.
Significant Progress
As of 2024, Sri Lanka’s passport ranks 96th globally on the Henley Passport Index. This is a slight decline from its 2023 position at 95th. The Sri Lankan passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 43 countries, a modest improvement over recent years. Despite the drop in ranking, Sri Lanka has made significant progress compared to previous years, having been ranked 103rd in 2022 and 107th in 2021.
