Sri Lanka Announces Visa-Free Entry for Bahrainis Starting October 1

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Report By Ashen Tharaka

To boost tourism and aid its economic recovery, Sri Lanka has announced that Bahrainis will be eligible for visa-free entry starting October 1. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to attract tourists from 35 countries, including major markets like China, India, and Russia.

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved the issuance of free 30-day tourist visas under a six-month pilot program, which will run from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. This move is expected to significantly enhance the country's appeal as a travel destination, helping to revive its tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the recent economic crisis.

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister stated that the government’s long-term goal is to transform Sri Lanka into a visa-free destination similar to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. "The aim of the government is to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry and to provide a seamless travel experience for visitors," the Minister said during a weekly cabinet briefing.

The list of countries eligible for the visa-free entry program is extensive and includes India, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, the United States, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and New Zealand.

This initiative is expected to attract a significant number of tourists from these countries, boosting Sri Lanka’s economy and strengthening its global tourism footprint.

The program will be closely monitored, and based on its success, the Sri Lankan government may consider extending or expanding it to include more countries in the future.