July 27, Colombo (LNW): In a strategic move to strengthen regional tourism and economic ties, Sri Lanka will begin issuing one-year visas to citizens of the Maldives starting 1 August 2025, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced on July 25.
Delivering remarks at a tourism exhibition held in Colombo, Minister Herath said the decision followed extensive policy consultations aimed at revitalising the country’s struggling tourism industry by encouraging greater inflows from neighbouring nations.
“Previously, Maldivian visitors were only eligible for short-term visas under limited conditions. This new policy will allow them to stay for up to a year, with particular focus on promoting medical tourism and longer visits,” he explained.
Sri Lanka has long been a favoured destination for Maldivians seeking advanced medical care and educational services. However, the introduction of stricter visa conditions in recent years led to a noticeable decline in arrivals from the island nation. Officials now hope that the revised visa policy will reinvigorate travel between the two countries, offering mutual economic benefit.
The announcement comes just days before Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to travel to Malé at the invitation of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The visit, set for next Monday, will include high-level talks on expanding cooperation in tourism and hospitality, with particular attention to creating opportunities for Sri Lankan suppliers to collaborate with hotels and resorts in the Maldives.
This visa reform aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader strategy to make the island more accessible to global visitors. In a related move, the government recently removed visa fees for travellers from 40 countries—including the United Kingdom—aiming to make the destination more competitive in the post-pandemic tourism landscape.
Whilst acknowledging that such initiatives may lead to short-term revenue losses through visa fees, Minister Herath stressed that the long-term benefits of increased tourist arrivals and stronger regional partnerships would more than compensate for the initial fiscal impact.
