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Only a month after they confirmed ‘officially’ a new Entry Travel Authorization system would be launched, requiring all Americans to request a digital permit before traveling, Sri Lanka has backtracked and effectively struck down the ETA.
One of the trendiest destinations in Asia right now, it is a tropical island-nation with a diverse landscape made up of towering mountains, lush jungles inhabited by rare wildlife, and endless miles of unspoiled golden sands.
Fortunately, U.S. citizens (as well as all other foreigners) will no longer need to worry about pre-departure bureaucracies flying to Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka Is Reinstating Its Previous Visa Policy
According to Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Sri Lankan ETA is ‘suspended’ until further notice.
The requirement was set to come into force on October 15, 2025, but seeing that it’s already November, and there had been no further announcements or an update on an ETA portal or app, we suspected something like this might transpire.
The ETA would apply to all short-term visitors, and this includes American tourists, for stays of up to 30 days on the island.
What Were The Existing Rules Before?
Under the previous rules, Americans had the option to either get a digital entry permit in advance, or apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA), at no cost.
This effectively means they could simply board the next flight out to Sri Lanka, from wherever they are in the world, and only worry about a visa when crossing the actual border. No need to fill out complicated forms, nor submit documentation in advance.
Needless to say, a mandatory ETA would automatically eliminate the VoA option. Well, that wouldn’t be the case anymore had the Government’s plans gone ahead.
As per the official statement, tourists can continue flying to Sri Lanka under the previous immigration rules.
This means you can choose between sorting out your visa in advance online, prior to traveling, or getting it stamped for free at the border. Whichever way you decide, it has no impact on your entry into Sri Lanka, nor your authorized stay of 30 days.
The ETA Phenomenon
Whether we like them or not, ETAs and e-Visas are becoming the new norm governing international travel.
They’re the reason why the U.S. passport, formerly at number 1 in the global passport ranking in 2014, has dipped to a historic no. 12 low this year, directly impacting Americans’ freedom of movement around the world.
The Situation In Asia
For instance, Vietnam has exempted a number of European nations of applying for an e-Visa ahead of traveling, and even China, which operates one of the strictest immigration policies globally, is now welcoming EU citizens visa-free, while not granting Americans the same privilege.
Japan is also planning to introduce an ETA in 2028, and Thailand has been considering its own, although it has not been implemented as of yet.
What About Europe & The Rest Of The World?
Over in Europe, the United Kingdom introduced a mandatory digital travel permit back in January. This means U.S. passport holders can no longer simply hop on a flight to London without extra checks, as easy as that.
They need to submit an online application in advance, so they have the right to fly in the first place.
Soon enough, 29 other European countries that participate in the Schengen Area will impose a similar requirement, the ETIAS, on U.S. travelers. Anyway, you get the gist of it: traveling internationally is a lot more complicated now than it was 10, or even just 5 years ago.
In South America, Brazil revoked Americans’ right to visa-free travel, and now they need to apply for an entry permit online, costing $80–100.
Israel and Saint Kitts and Nevis are two other examples of countries that have recently rolled out Entry Travel Authorization systems.
If you’re heading to Sri Lanka, you’re safe for now, but take it with a grain of salt: as the 2022 post-pandemic travel optimism fades, and countries resort to tougher visa regulations, it will be an interesting decade ahead for global hoppers.
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