Maldivians will soon be eligible for one-year visas to Sri Lanka, with the new policy set to come into effect at the start of August. The announcement comes as Sri Lanka prepares to welcome Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for a state visit by his Sri Lankan counterpart, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Until now, Maldivians visiting Sri Lanka were typically issued 30-day visas on arrival, which could be extended up to six months through online applications. The revised policy represents a significant shift, aimed at facilitating long-term stays and restoring the close travel and service ties between the two countries.
Sri Lanka has historically been a popular destination for Maldivians, especially for education, medical treatment, and leisure. However, the number of Maldivians travelling to the country had fallen sharply following the tightening of visa regulations after the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The reintroduction of longer visas is expected to make travel easier for Maldivians who frequently visit Colombo and other cities for health services and other personal matters.
The decision also aligns with broader efforts by Sri Lanka to attract international visitors and stimulate its tourism-dependent economy. Sri Lankan authorities have recently expanded free visa access to a total of 47 countries, building on earlier measures to waive fees for travellers from select Asian and European nations.
The formal launch of the one-year visa for Maldivians is anticipated to coincide with President Dissanayake’s visit to the Maldives, underlining renewed momentum in bilateral cooperation.
