Sri Lanka raises visa fees for tourists

This is an additional expense to plan for if you are going to Sri Lanka soon.

From December 1, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will cost tourists $50 (€48), compared to $35 (€33.50) currently.

It allows you to stay in the country for 180 days and must be requested online before departure, provided you have a valid passport at least six months after the date of arrival and a confirmed return ticket.

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It is still possible to apply for a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka: the costs then amount to 60 dollars (58 €) and the authorization is only valid for 30 days.

Note that the transit visa (valid for two days) and the visa for children under 12 remain free.

Restrictions related to Covid-19 were lifted in early 2022. "

", indicates the France Diplomacy website.

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A response to the economic crisis

The increase in these prices is part of the 2023 budget proposal recently presented by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe.

It aims in particular to attract more foreign currency in order to boost the country's economy, which is very dependent on tourism, and above all to calm the political and economic crisis which has been shaking the country for several months.

At the height of the demonstrations, at the beginning of the summer, the Quai d'Orsay had even advised the French against going there.

Sri Lanka is not the only country to appeal to the wallets of tourists in a post-Covid context.

Nepal increased its visa fee by €5 in October.

The Philippines did the same in November with its three-month single entry visas (33 dollars instead of 27).

Bhutan tripled its “Sustainable Development Fee” in September 2022, increasing it from $65 to $200 per day ($250 in high season).

In Thailand, a tourist tax of approximately €8 will be implemented from January 1, 2023 in order to finance sustainable tourism projects.