Govt to revise ETA admin fee

by Manjula FERNANDO

The Government is expected to announce a revised ‘administrative charge’ for the new visa scheme that is to be implemented from next year.

The decision follows concerns raised by foreign Governments including India.

Immigration Controller General Chulananda Perera said he held discussions with the Finance Secretary to this effect last week following requests by a number of countries via their missions here that the administrative fee proposed in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETC) scheme was substantially high.

“In our proposal to the Treasury Secretary we have recommended a low administrative fee for SAARC states and a slightly higher rate for other countries,” he said indicating this fee could probably be lower than half of the earlier proposed rate.

“The discussion with the Treasury Secretary was fruitful and the Government is flexible on the concerns raised by the other countries,” the Immigration Controller General added.

The revised plan proposes to exclude children from the visa processing fee among other things.

The Cabinet sanctioned the new visa scheme that was introduced on a test run basis in October. Hence the revised rates will also need to be ratified by Cabinet before implementation. The new charges are expected to be announced next moth coinciding with the Budget.

Under the new scheme that was to come into effect from January 2012, a flat rate of US $ 50 was to be charged for the electronic travel document, for which the applicant will be issued a visa on arrival at the BIA. This was applicable to all countries excluding Singapore and the Maldives which continues to enjoy free, on arrival visa on reciprocity. The fee was to cover administrative expenses while the visa itself, to be issued online, was free.

Many countries in the region raised concerns over the new rates, especially India which tops the annual tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.