The Sri Lankan government recently declared that citizens from 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will now have visa-free access to the country. Starting from October 1, tourists from these countries will be issued a 30-day visa upon arrival and will be allowed to stay for up to six months. This move is aimed at boosting tourism and trade between Sri Lanka and these nations. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh expressed its pleasure in making this announcement, stating that all Saudi citizens will be able to enter the country without a visa from October 1, 2024. Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad described this decision as historic and believes it will strengthen the relationship between the two countries, especially as they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.
Saudi Arabia is considered the third potential market for Sri Lankan tourism and the 23rd export market for tourists visiting Sri Lanka as of June 2024, according to a report by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. This visa-free entry for Saudi citizens is expected to further boost tourism from the country to Sri Lanka. The decision was made following a recommendation by a committee of experts, who conducted studies on introducing a visa-free regime for tourists from various countries. This move is also seen as a way to enhance communication and promote closer ties between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Council of Ministers approved the recommendation, highlighting the government’s commitment to facilitating tourism and trade between the two nations.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Ameer Ajwad praised the decision taken by the Sri Lankan Council of Ministers, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on tourism and trade between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. This initiative is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, especially as they are marking the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. With Saudi Arabia being identified as a key market for Sri Lankan tourism, this visa-free entry for Saudi citizens is expected to attract a larger number of tourists from the country. The Sri Lankan government’s decision reflects its commitment to promoting tourism and fostering closer relations with countries like Saudi Arabia.
The visa-free access granted to citizens from 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is set to come into effect from October 1, 2024. Tourists from these countries will be issued a 30-day visa upon arrival, allowing them to stay in Sri Lanka for up to six months. This decision is expected to have a positive impact on tourism and trade between Sri Lanka and these nations. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh welcomed this move, stating that all Saudi citizens will be able to enter the country without a visa starting from October 1, 2024. This initiative is aimed at enhancing communication and promoting closer ties between the two countries, particularly as they are celebrating their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Saudi Arabia has been identified as a key market for Sri Lankan tourism, ranking third as a potential market in June 2024. Additionally, it is the 23rd export market for tourists visiting Sri Lanka during the same period. The visa-free entry for Saudi citizens is expected to further boost tourism from the country and increase the number of visitors to Sri Lanka. This decision follows a recommendation by a committee of experts, who conducted studies on introducing a visa-free regime for tourists from various countries. The Sri Lankan Council of Ministers approved this recommendation, underscoring the government’s commitment to facilitating tourism and trade between Sri Lanka and countries like Saudi Arabia. The move is seen as a positive step towards strengthening the relationship between the two nations and promoting closer ties in various sectors such as tourism and trade.
