On-line Arrival Visa Should be Given Alternatives or Scrapped.
Posted on October 24th, 2011
Prof. Hudson McLean
Just as the Island of Sri Lanka is emerging from one debacle, the bureaucrat who devised the On-line Entry Visa with No Options, should have his head tested.
Most countries have Entry Visa on Arrival or obtainable through a Travel Agency Services from the local Consulate.
USA and UK have online Entry Visa procedure, but they are in a different league.
Entry Visa to Singapore is obtainable on Arrival Free of Charge to EU, USA and several other citizens or from its Consulates in various countries and usually takes upto 72 hours and costs about US$ 10-20. Indonesia, Philipines, Malaysia offer Visa on Arrival and takes a few minutes prior to Immigration.
The cost of the Entry Visa may be bundled into Airline ticket or given other simple alternatives, such a Visa Counter at Entry Points.
Sri Lanka is neither a vital Business Priority country. Nor it is a Holiday Priority country. There are many highly competitive options with similar tropical environment and cost structure in Asia, South Asia and a few in the Mediterranean.
In terms of inward investment Sri Lanka should capitalise on the current peaceful environment, growing infrastructure programmes, re-development and facilitate easier Entry & Comfort to inward investors.
Let the Hotel Industry prosper, create more employment in the services sector, by facilitating easier access to Sri Lanka. Make the visitors feel that they are Wanted!
The online Entry Visa will not be looked at positively or in a friendly manner by either Holiday Makers or Businessmen.
The whole concept should be placed for Presidential consideration to alleviate the discomfort to all but the Sri Lankan, Singaporean and Maldivian citizens, who may account for less than a minority of all revenue generating custom.
On-line Arrival Visa Should be Given Alternatives or Scrapped.
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October 24th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
On arrival Visa should be waived specially for India.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
” Sri Lanka is neither a vital Business Priority country. Nor it is a Holiday Priority country. There are many highly competitive options with similar tropical environment and cost structure in Asia, South Asia and a few in the Mediterranean”.
This is what you will end up getting when tries to do “ tit for tat ” .
October 25th, 2011 at 7:31 am
I agree with you Prof. When I first heard of the scheme. I thought he was someone who previously worked in Aussie Immigration or something which have some of the tightest immigration laws in the world. I would only say that this online scheme may have been introduced by the Sri Lankan govt. so that they can do a quick background check on anyone before arriving in Sri Lanka. To make sure nationals other than Sri Lankan are coming to Sri Lanka as genuine tourists. Which is understandable. However in my opinion, Sri Lanka is one of the best countries to come to. A small island that seems to have everything. Great all year round sunny weather, fine good hearted friendly welcoming people, beautiful scenery. An ancient two thousand year old Buddhist civilization and fascinating history. The potential for tourism in Sri Lanka is enormous. So it would be good for Sri Lanka to make tourism as attractive as possible for travellers from other countries. So I agree Prof McClean with his last sentence. “On-line Arrival Visa Should be Given Alternatives or Scrapped.”
October 27th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
The visa online is ok, but frankly to give the option of one month with double entry is nothing. Other countries give at least 3 months. India gives 6 months visa for 50 dollars. It is not worthy a trip from Europe to Sri Lanka for only one month. They should offer more attractive schemes. We will prefer Africa in place of a so meager option.