Sri Lanka launches free ETA tourist visas for travellers from 40 countries, including Bahrain

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has officially launched a new travel policy offering free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA) to tourists from 40 countries, prominently adding Bahrain to its fee-exempt list for the first time.

Effective May 25, 2026, the milestone initiative removes financial barriers to entry, simplifying pre-departure digital processing to systematically boost inbound vacation arrivals.

Under this revamped scheme, eligible travelers can secure a double-entry tourist pass valid for 30 days entirely online without paying any processing fees. This represents a significant financial drop from previous visa regulations, in which non-SAARC visitors, such as Bahraini passport holders, were required to pay USD 50, while SAARC nationals paid USD 20.

The landmark policy aims to revitalize Sri Lanka’s tourism sector by streamlining airport immigration lines and presenting the country as a highly competitive short-haul and long-haul destination. Government authorities clarified that while entry is now free, all passengers must still register on the official portal before boarding flights.