Sri Lanka to issue one-year visas to Maldivians

Maldivians will be eligible for one-year visas to Sri Lanka starting next month, Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath said.

Vijitha said that while Sri Lanka has so far issued only short-term visas to Maldivians, the new long-term visa will allow stays of up to one year. The policy will come into effect from next Friday, according to Sri Lankan newspapers.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to arrive in the Maldives on Monday for an official visit, during which the new visa policy is expected to be formally announced.

Currently, Maldivians are granted a 30-day visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, which can be extended up to six months online for a fee.

Minister Vijitha said that Maldivians have traditionally travelled to Sri Lanka for medical treatment, but recent visa restrictions had hampered this.

“The decision has now been changed and one-year visas will be issued to Maldivians,” he said.

Sri Lanka recently waived visa fees for tourists from 40 countries, including several in Asia and Europe, as part of efforts to revive its tourism industry.