Sri Lanka and Thailand are moving to speed up plans for visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders.
Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath discussed the matter with Thailand’s Acting Foreign Minister Sarun Charoensuwan in Bangkok.
The two sides want to speed up the process for a visa exemption for ordinary passport holders.
The proposed arrangement could make travel between the two countries easier. It could also support tourism and closer links between their people.
However, the visa-free arrangement has not yet taken effect. Both sides are working on the steps needed to put it in place.
Sri Lankan travellers face visa changes
Thailand changed its visa rules for Sri Lankan passport holders on September 15.
Sri Lanka is no longer on Thailand’s previous list of countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry.
The new discussions could lead to a new visa exemption for ordinary passport holders. The Foreign Ministry said the plan would help travel, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides also discussed trade, investment, tourism, labour mobility, education, maritime security and cultural exchanges.
New opportunities for workers
The meeting follows recent agreements between Sri Lanka and Thailand on labour cooperation and employment.
Thailand has set an initial target of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers under the new employment arrangements.
The agreements cover areas such as worker protection, legal rights, work permits and welfare.
The two countries also want to improve cooperation in other areas that can benefit their people.
For Sri Lankan travelers, the visa exemption talks are the most immediate development.
The two governments have yet to announce the final terms or the date when the proposed visa exemption will begin.
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Last modified: September 16, 2026
