Visa Free Entry to Sri Lanka for Australian Passport Holders (Normally ~ US$79)

tightarse on 17/04/2019 - 19:43
Last edited 26/04/2019 - 15:24 by 1 other user

Moved to Forum: Original Link

Bucking a general trend for soaring visa fees across South Asia, Sri Lanka is set to roll out free visas on arrival for citizens of 39 countries from 1 May 2019. The move will save the average tourist US$20-40 in visa fees making it easier and cheaper than ever to visit this idyllic Indian Ocean island.

The included countries are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, USA.

See here for cost of ETA (thanks to trev likes bargains).

Mod 26/4: The program (due to start 1st May) has been suspended indefinitely. Deal moved to the forum as it's now cancelled.

General Discussion

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Comments

    • mlburnian on 24/04/2019 - 19:09

      The fact that this post got so many downvotes shows how clueless we are. What he is saying is fact, read the UN and 4 corners reports

  • mtfranklin on 18/04/2019 - 05:53
    +1

    Went in 2016 to Hikkaduwa, a touristy place with a bunch of my school mates. Had a terrible experience with racism. Most tourists are eastern Europeans and the local businesses treat people of color differently. In one restaurant, when we wanted to be seated in the first floor, we were told that first floor was only to Europeans. Bars and nightclubs charge locals and other non whites while whites are allowed in without fees. No wonder the country had a long civil war due to racism.

    • C781097 on 18/04/2019 - 06:47
      +1

      Was there last year and would have to agree there are certainly heaps of Russian tourists on the south coast.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2019 - 07:35

      You think that's bad try visiting Cairns where hostels ban locals and other Australians from staying. Dodgy businesses like this usually don't last very long. It's the buyer not the seller that has a right to discriminate. They can choose which business they want to give their money to. Sellers choosing which customers to sell to is just a recipe for bankruptcy.

    • npnp on 18/04/2019 - 10:31

      I'm of Sri Lankan background (born and raised) therefore can confirm racism do exist but not more so compared to anywhere else (including Australia). It's a different kind of racism than what we experience elsewhere. (I'd rather say 'economically motivated' one not colour based as you have described). If a hotel treats someone different that's probably because their pre-judgment on whether that someone is a potentially good customer or not. A local (often dark skinned) would know prices and would be tight when spending so less profit for the business whereas a European is usually seen as 'generous' when spending so automatically gets treated highly.
      Nonetheless, it's not common and things are changing. It's an amazingly beautiful country with friendly people, I would not jump in to conclusions due to bad attitudes of a few.

      • Xiaomi on 18/04/2019 - 10:48

        It's a different kind of racism than what we experience elsewhere. (I'd rather say 'economically motivated' one not colour based

        I think it's clear that if you're not Sri Lankan/Indian but white, than the price will be increased. If this is not colour based racsim, tell me what is?

        • npnp on 18/04/2019 - 13:12

          I have seen backpackers are treated same way as locals and most of them are white. Not to argue with you but how do you explain that? I need to stress this once again, 99% of places I've stayed have been absolutely fine.

        • Cheaplikethebird on 18/04/2019 - 13:56
          +1

          Economically based racism, i.e you can be brown but still not experience racism if you appear wealthy. Big difference between that and hating brown people because you think they’re inferior.

          • Xiaomi on 18/04/2019 - 18:24
            +1

            @Cheaplikethebird: Yep makes sense. I'm white, so I've seen this toward white people. I don't hang around, so I'd imagine it would happen to anyone that has a foreign accent. Good point.

          • Bryanalves on 23/04/2019 - 10:15

            @Cheaplikethebird: So discriminating based on money is ok and color isnt? Any sort of discrimination is no ok.

            • Cheaplikethebird on 24/04/2019 - 12:48

              @Bryanalves: Sometimes it's just a matter of business. Ever heard of regional pricing?

              • Bryanalves on 24/04/2019 - 14:12

                @Cheaplikethebird: Discriminating based on color/race is business too but is not allowed. Like hiring a certain race that matches the cuisine of your restaraunt.

                • Cheaplikethebird on 24/04/2019 - 15:45

                  @Bryanalves: Descrimination based on wealth is not the same as color/race (things you cannot change and should not effect the way you interact with the world) and is often necessary to create a fair and workable economic environment, tax brackets are one example.

  • davebern on 18/04/2019 - 08:51

    Thanks for that. I'm going in September.

  • bizarredeal on 18/04/2019 - 11:26

    I thought normally 30USD. Have gone up? Is this a promotion before it goes up officially?

  • johnny1983 on 18/04/2019 - 11:57

    Im landing the day before at 11:35pm. Hopefully I arrive at the customs counter after midnight

    • notpotatoman on 25/04/2019 - 22:20
      +1

      The free Visa program has been delayed indefinitely due to the current situation.

      • johnny1983 on 26/04/2019 - 14:53

        Ok thanks for letting me know

  • vovka on 21/04/2019 - 19:12
    -5

    There are lots of others, safer places in the world.

  • jv on 21/04/2019 - 23:55
    +1

    Death toll currently stands at > 200… :(

    • AMelbournian on 22/04/2019 - 11:36
      +1

      Currently at 228. The government knew about the attack and decided to do nothing about it.

      • jv on 22/04/2019 - 12:14
        +2

        Probably worried if people knew in advance, it would affect tourism…

      • Bargaingeek on 22/04/2019 - 12:41
        +2

        You can't compare their security apparatus to ours or other developed nations. 3rd world countries are generally very lax and don't take serious action on threats. That's a risk everyone traveling to these countries should be willing to take

      • AMelbournian on 22/04/2019 - 17:51

        This was confirmed by the PM himself and two other cabinet members. Generally, Sri Lanka had good intelligence agencies and armed forces. Remember that they defeated a terrorist organisation who had an army, navy and an air force. Current government went on a witch hunt and a lot of high-ranked (as well as low-ranked) intelligence officers are in remand custody for unconfirmed allegations,

        • Lucky1 on 23/04/2019 - 14:48
          -2

          Winning a war by killing innocent people does not make them good.

        • AMelbournian on 24/04/2019 - 03:19

          Do you have any proof?

        • AMelbournian on 25/04/2019 - 13:29

          Google it you will find the info you need

          If it's on the internet, it must be true! People have started to lose their common sense it seems.

      • Lps on 23/04/2019 - 03:35
        +1

        It’s not a good look..or outcome.

  • FBI on 22/04/2019 - 12:31
    -5

    There is a live documentary on YouTube called Sri Lankas Killing Fields :-( :-( Is this free visa entry worth your and your loved ones lives ??

  • vovka on 23/04/2019 - 09:12
    -1

    ESTA Visa to USA is 14 US Dollars. Why the hell visa to Sri Lanka was 79 US dollars? Like it was a place people are dying to see or as of recent seeing and die.

    • Eeples on 23/04/2019 - 09:21
      -1

      Visa prices are not set by demand and supply.

      If you wanted to find out why visas cost various amount depending on what passport you are using I suggest you educate yourself.

      • vovka on 23/04/2019 - 17:53
        -1

        Your own explanation lacks of valid arguments and solid facts, which indicates poor education.

        • Eeples on 23/04/2019 - 22:26

          I’m not your teacher. This isn’t school. You wanna find out about why visa prices vary… entirely up to you.

  • Bryanalves on 23/04/2019 - 10:07
    +1

    There's a travel warning for safety. Dont go unless you have a valid reason to.

    • Eeples on 23/04/2019 - 10:55

      I think it is interesting that Australia may be the only western-type country to raise its Sri Lankan travel advisory so high.

      • Bryanalves on 23/04/2019 - 13:08

        Cos bangladesh arbitrarily raised its travel advisory on us even though we didnt get shot up but NZ did.

        • Eeples on 23/04/2019 - 22:31

          I don’t know why or if Bangladesh raised its travel advisory to Australia…. if that is what you are saying. Maybe because the person responsible was an Australian. I don’t agree with it, if it happened, but it isn’t arbitrary (as he was an Australian).

          Not sure the reason Australia raised its threat level for Sri Lanka is because Bangladesh (according to you; I don’t know) raised its threat level when visiting Australia. Does that really make sense to you?

          • Bryanalves on 23/04/2019 - 22:38

            @Eeples: Cos bangladesh offended us by thinking nz and aus is the same. So we did the same thing with sri lanka and bangladesh.

            • Eeples on 25/04/2019 - 21:36

              @Bryanalves: As I said Bangladesh raised its threat level for Australia citing the gunman was Australian.
              Australia has not raised its threat level for Bangladesh since Feb 6th.

  • notpotatoman on 25/04/2019 - 22:19
    +4

    The free Visa program has been delayed indefinitely due to the current situation.

    https://www.thedailystar.net/world/south-asia/news/sri-lanka…

    https://economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_halts_free_visa_on_arrival…

    • Bryanalves on 25/04/2019 - 22:49
      -1

      I cant downvote the deal

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