Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said the 30-day visa to visit Sri Lanka has been reinstated.
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The cost of obtaining a short-term visa to visit Sri Lanka rose from $50 to $100 in April.
However, there is debate as to why.
The increase comes as Sri Lanka moves from using the domestic Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to an electronic visa system operated by visa processing company VFS Global.
Sri Lanka Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told CNBC on Thursday that VFS Global “missed” the issuance of 30-day visas when it started processing visas to the country on April 17, adding that “technical He claimed that this was due to a “problem”.
In response, VFS Global stated that “the visa categories were introduced in accordance with government directives.” [Sri Lanka’s] Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DI&E). ”
The parties agreed that the $50, 30-day travel visa was reinstated as of May 7th. VFS Global said in an email to CNBC on Monday that on that day, “DI&E reintroduced the 30-day visa category for everyone.” nationality. ”
Fernando said Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Public Security withdrew from the ETA system due to concerns about frequent hacking of websites by fraudsters.
“We wanted to choose a global company with a very good reputation,” he said.
VFS Global stood out among the options, he said. The company works with 67 governments and operates in more than 150 countries, according to its website.
However, VFS Global’s fees have angered many in Sri Lanka’s travel industry and led to corruption allegations by Sri Lankan opposition leaders.
A spokesperson for VFS Global told CNBC that the fees (totaling around $25 per visa, according to local media) will be paid through an agreement signed with the Sri Lankan Immigration Department on December 21, 2023. It was said that it had been revealed.
“Service fees are approved by all governments and are based on a variety of factors, including the scope of the overall effort, the anticipated volume of applications, and the cost of resources and infrastructure required to meet service level agreements. to be determined,” VFS Global said. “For example, for Schengen countries, the fee for a short-term visa can be up to 40 euros.”
However, Fernando said the cost has been significantly reduced for 30-day visas. Currently, the Sri Lankan government maintains a rate of $40 and VFS Global charges $10, he said.
Citizens of seven countries are eligible for a free visa to enter Sri Lanka.
“Please note that the 30-day free visa for seven countries: India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand is always available and valid for travel to Sri Lanka until May 31, 2024. ” said a VFS Global spokesperson.
However, applicants from these countries will still have to pay VFS Global fees, Fernando said.
“The Sri Lankan government will not charge, but the platforms will,” he said. As a result, “there is still debate as to whether VFS should be completely abandoned.”
Sri Lanka’s “visa-free” policy should not be confused with the “visa-free” agreements that many Asian countries enacted last year. These agreements exempt travelers from the need for a visa.
Per Sri Lankan policy, a visa is required.
Mr Fernando said Sri Lanka was considering adding 60 more countries to its “free visa” list.
“Pre-COVID-19, more than 40 countries received free visas,” he said, adding that a government-appointed committee would make a decision within 30 days.
“I have no doubt that a visa policy will be introduced soon,” he said.
