Sri Lanka’s inbound tour operators are reassuring visitors that they will be able to apply for visas on arrival after the country’s online visa application service was suddenly suspended on Friday.
The online service, which had been operated by VFS Global since 17 April 2024, was suspended by order of the Supreme Court with immediate effect on 2 August.
The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) has since issued a joint statement with the country’s hotel’s association THASL stating that visitors will be able to obtain visas on arrival at the airport.
The visa on arrival costs US$50, the same as the eVisa fee, and will be available at all immigration counters in the arrivals hall, said the statement.
The Supreme Court also ordered the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which was in operation before 17 April, be restored.
“We anticipate that the said ETA system will be up and running within the course of next week,” added the statement from SLAITO and THASL.
Online visa applications submitted after 5pm on 2 August will be refunded.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) has yet to update its travel advice for Sri Lanka and is continuing to advise that visitors must apply for an eVisa in advance, but the link included by the FCDO takes users to a page stating that the service has been suspended.
