Sri Lanka to give one-year visas to Maldivian citizens

Sri Lanka has decided to give one-year visas to Maldivian citizens starting next month.

According to news outlet Economy Next, the decision was announced by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijith Herath at the opening of the Hotel Show Colombo 2025 on Friday.

“Up to now we gave only short-term visas for Maldives citizens, subject to certain observations,” said Herath.

“From August 1, we will give Maldives citizens one-year visas.”

The announcement comes with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake set to embark on a three-day state visit to the Maldives on Monday.

Sri Lanka had previously hosted a large number of Maldivian citizens who travel there for education, medical care or on holiday.

But the numbers had plummeted after Sri Lanka tightened its visa regulations in the wake of the deadly Easter bombings in 2019.

“Now we have changed the decision and Maldives citizens would be given one-year visas,” said Herath on Friday.

He also announced the decision to expand free visas to 47 countries from the current 7.