Sri Lanka cancels free long-term visas for Russians and Ukrainians
29 February 2024 20:41
Sri Lanka is refunding the mandatory payment for long-term visas for citizens of Ukraine and Russia, whom it allowed to live free of charge after the outbreak of a full-scale war. The Guardian writes about this with reference to a government official’s statement, Kommersant Ukrainian reports 
For two years, citizens of Ukraine and Russians have had permission to live in the country without paying for visas. Now they will have to pay about $50 for a 30-day visa.
“Those who want to stay can apply for new visas. They can extend their visas immediately and stay here,”
– said Public Security Minister Tiran Alles.
Approximately 300-400 Russians and Ukrainians are estimated to have been in Sri Lanka since February 2022, said Priyantha Fernando, chairman of the island’s tourism authority.
Last week, immigration authorities announced that all Russian citizens and Ukrainians who do not have new visas must leave the country by 7 March. They said they were ending the free long-term visa scheme for citizens of these two countries. The announcement coincided with the Russian owners of one of the nightclubs hosting a disgraceful “whites only” party.
