Top Australian-friendly destinations: Sri Lanka joins growing list of countries relaxing visa terms

Top Australian-friendly destinations: Sri Lanka joins growing list of countries relaxing visa terms
Sofia Geraghty
By Sofia Geraghty


Sri Lanka and the Netherlands are the latest nations attempting to lure tourists to their shores with more holiday-maker-friendly visa terms.

The Netherlands opens visa-free travel for Australian travellers

Starting October 1, 2024, and for 6 months, Sri Lanka will issue free 30-day visas to tourists from 35 countries including Australia. This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s goal of attracting 3 million foreign tourists in 2024. Other countries included are the US, UK, China and India.

The change means that tourists will no longer have to pay the $50 visa fee during the peak season from December to mid-April.

The move is part of a larger bid to help boost Sri Lanka’s tourism industry which is still recovering post-Covid. Tourism in the country peaked in 2018 when 2.5 million tourists spent US $4.4 billion.

Luxury resort Resplendent Ceylon welcomed this initiative. The resort offers a number of unique experiences such as Ceylon Tea Trails in the tea highlands and Wild Coast Tented Lodge beach-side at Yala National Park.

Earlier this year, Travel Weekly went on a 14-day tour of Sri Lanka with Inspiring Vacations. You can find out more here:

The Resplendent Island: Sri Lanka

A shift in visa terms

Sri Lanka is just the latest country to update its visa terms to make the more friendly for Australian tourists. Here are some of the other nations welcoming us with open arms.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has decided to open its borders to a total of 191 countries, a move that ranks the Dutch passport as the strongest in the world.

The decision will likely have massive impacts on the local aviation market with Netherlands national carrier KLM likely to see an increase in international travel as Dutch passport holders look to make the most of its strength.

Bali

In July it was announced that Bali is scrapping its controversial visa-on-arrival fee. The $50 had to be paid for at Bali airport or online beforehand.

The fee had initially been scrapped in 2016, however, it was brought back as the island moved to recoup costs after Covid.

Thailand

In July, Thailand introduced a 60-day visa exemption, doubling the period for Australians and New Zealanders, Visa on Arrival (VOA) schemes and Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), plus student visas in a bid to boost tourism.

Thailand will grant the visa exemption for nationals from a total of 93 countries and territories, up from 57 countries previously. Visitors under this scheme will be allowed to stay for tourism purposes and short-term business engagements for a period not exceeding 60 days, which can be extended at the Immigration Office for another period not exceeding 30 days.

Thailand’s new visa exemptions include longer stays for Aussies

China

In June, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared Australia’s relationships with China as ‘renewed and revitalised’ amid talks that lead to a new 15-day Visa for Aussie travellers among other political issues.

The new visa-free travel policy is aimed at boosting tourism and re-establishing closer ties between the two countries. While no initial details were provided on how the program would work, a similar announcement in May allowed 12 countries – mainly from Europe but also including Malaysia – to enter China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism or visiting relatives and friends.

Australians to be granted visa-free entry to China, as new era of travel begins

Korea

In January Korea made a bid to attract K-pop fans to the country with its new Workcation (Digital Nomad) Visa (F-1-D).

Previously, remote workers travelling in Korea were limited to stays of up to 90 days, the new ‘workcation’ Visa is valid for one year upon entry, with the possibility to extend for an additional year.

Applicants aged 18 or older must have worked for an overseas company for at least one year and have earned a salary equivalent to at least 85,000,000 KRW (around $97,000 AUD) in the previous year.

South Korea launches new visa options for ‘K-Culture’ lovers, digital nomads and remote workers

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