Good news for Sri Lankans planning a religious pilgrimage to India. The High Commission of India in Colombo has restored its free visa facility for eligible Sri Lankan pilgrim groups after a temporary suspension.
The High Commission also clarified that there has been no increase in visa fees, despite recent rumours circulating among travellers.
Free Visas Are Available Again
The free visa facility is available for groups of 10 or more Sri Lankan pilgrims, including those travelling to visit Buddhist holy sites in India.
According to the High Commission, the service was temporarily suspended after the visa processing system changed to a new outsourcing agency. The new service provider began operations on 7 July 2026, allowing the free visa programme to resume.
To receive a free visa, pilgrim groups must have their applications recommended and forwarded by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
No Visa Fee, But a Service Charge Still Applies
The High Commission also cleared up confusion about visa fees.
It said eligible Sri Lankan pilgrim groups do not have to pay a visa fee, and that policy has not changed.
However, applicants must still pay a service processing fee of LKR 1,855 to the Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC). The High Commission explained that this is a processing charge paid to the service centre, not a visa fee.
Here’s What Pilgrims Need to Do?
If you are applying through the Indian High Commission, you must first complete your visa application online.
After that, you need to visit one of the Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) located in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Hambantota or Batticaloa to submit your application.
Under India’s latest visa regulations, applicants aged 12 to 70 must also visit an ICAC centre to provide their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph.
The High Commission said a faster process has been introduced for senior citizens to reduce waiting times. Completing biometric registration before travelling will also help speed up immigration clearance when pilgrims arrive in India.
India remains one of the most popular destinations for Sri Lankan religious pilgrims, especially those visiting places connected to the life of Lord Buddha.
With the free visa facility now restored, eligible pilgrim groups can once again travel without paying a visa fee. The High Commission also hopes its clarification will reassure travellers that the visa fee has not increased, and that they only need to pay the standard application processing charge.
Last modified: July 27, 2026
