Sri Lanka Ranks 35th in Global Welcoming Index, 170th in Passport Mobility 📈

Sri Lanka ranks 35th out of 199 countries in Passport Reports’ September Welcoming Ranking, contrasting sharply with its global passport mobility ranking of 170th. • Inbound Accessibility & Reciprocity: Sri Lanka allows visa-free, eTA, or visa-on-arrival entry for passport holders from 135 countries. Five nations (Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and Tanzania) present a reverse entry pattern. • Outbound Mobility: Sri Lankan passport holders have a Mobility Score of 53 (26.8% global access), covering: - 16 visa-free destinations (e.g., Thailand for 60 days, Singapore for 30 days) - 33 visa-on-arrival/facilitated entry destinations (e.g., India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Maldives) - 4 eTA destinations (Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Seychelles) - 145 destinations requiring prior visas. • Regional Breakdown: Sri Lankan passport holders enjoy the highest access in the Caribbean (50%), Africa (46.3%), Oceania (42.9%), and Central Asia (40%). Regional access across Asia stands at 24.5% (ranking 40th among 50 passports). Europe, the Gulf, and the Middle East record 0.0% access, with all destinations requiring visas. • Global Context: Sri Lanka ranks 152nd among WTO members, 53rd in the Commonwealth, and 114th in the G77, reflecting key structural considerations for international relations and tourism growth.