Sri Lanka ETA Requirements for New Zealand Citizens

What Is the Sri Lanka ETA for New Zealanders?

The Sri Lanka ETA is an online travel authorization available to New Zealanders. It allows holders to board a flight or ship to the country. Upon arrival, ETA holders from New Zealand are automatically granted a visa on arrival for Sri Lanka, with no additional paperwork to fill in.

This means that the ETA provides the quickest and easiest way to get a Sri Lanka visa for New Zealanders.

It is available through a simple application process that takes a matter of minutes to complete. Visitors can apply from the comfort of their homes and do not need to visit an embassy or consular office for a travel permit.

The Government of Sri Lanka introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization in 2012 to make it easier for selected nationals, including New Zealand passport holders to authorize short-term visits.

Do New Zealand Visitors Need an ETA for Sri Lanka?

Yes, the Sri Lankan visa policy includes New Zealanders among the nationalities authorized to enter the country with an approved ETA.

New Zealand nationals can choose between the following types of ETAs to enter Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka Tourist ETA: New Zealander tourists can travel to Sri Lanka for leisure, relaxation, and cultural visits. Once granted, this ETA is valid for 180 days (6 months). New Zealanders can enter Sri Lanka twice during this period and stay for up to 30 consecutive days during each stay.
Sri Lanka Business ETA: Professionals from New Zealand can enter Sri Lanka for business meetings, corporate events, or conferences. Like the Tourist ETA, it is valid for 180 days upon approval. It grants multiple entries, where New Zealanders can stay for up to 30 days in the country during each visit.
Sri Lanka Transit ETA: New Zealand travelers who are transiting through Sri Lanka can apply for the Transit ETA. It is valid for 180 days and allows a single entry into the country. To be granted one, they must provide proof that their onward ticket leaves 48 hours or sooner after their arrival. If their stopover is longer than 2 days, they should apply for either the Tourist or the Business ETA to match their travel needs.

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

New Zealand passport holders must have a valid visa to enter Sri Lanka. The simplest and fastest way to get one is to first apply for the ETA online.

The ETA is required for visits for tourism or business, or to transit through Sri Lanka to another destination.

The ETA authorizes New Zealanders to fly or sail to the country. Upon arrival at border control, they will be issued with a Sri Lanka tourist visa, business visa, or transit visa, depending on the purpose of the trip.

If New Zealand passport holders need to travel to Sri Lanka for other reasons such as full-time employment or studies or need to stay for longer than a month consecutively, we recommend scheduling an appointment at the Sri Lankan Consulate in Wellington for further details.

Sri Lanka ETA Requirements for New Zealand Citizens

Sri Lanka has a few basic visa requirements for New Zealanders, as do most countries. The most important requirements they must meet for the Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authorization are the following:

New Zealand Passport valid for 180 days (6 months) from their arrival date in Sri Lanka
Frequently used email address where they will receive their approved ETA
Debit or credit card to pay the processing fee

New Zealander travelers with a passport set to expire in less than 6 months on the date they reach Sri Lanka must send it for renewal at their earliest convenience and before initiating their application.

We also recommend they check their bank cards have been previously activated for online payments, and they register with an email address they frequently use since all communications will be exclusively online.

Application Process for the Sri Lanka ETA For New Zealand Nationals

Applying for a Sri Lanka ETA from New Zealand is a simple process and takes just a few minutes to complete.

It is done entirely online, so there is no need to go anywhere in person or deal with paperwork.

New Zealanders must simply fill in an online questionnaire, entering the required information into the relevant fields.

This includes the following basic personal information:

Full name
Citizenship
Gender
Place of birth
Date of birth

Applicants from New Zealand must also provide a few contact details:

Personal address
Email account
Phone number

Some passport and travel information is also required:

Passport issue date
Passport issuing country
Passport expiry date
Reason for visit

Do children from New Zealand need to apply for an ETA for Sri Lanka?

Children under the age of 16 included on their parent or guardian’s New Zealand passport can also be included on their Sri Lanka ETA application form.

The following children must have their own ETA:

Minors over the age of 16
Any child with their own passport

Parents or guardians may complete an individual ETA application for their dependents on their behalf.

How long does it take to get an ETA for Sri Lanka for New Zealand Visitors?

The vast majority of applicants from New Zealand will receive an email confirming their approved Sri Lanka ETA within 2 business days.

In rare cases, it may take slightly longer due to factors such as high volumes of applicants or errors or inconsistencies in the information provided. For this reason, it is advisable to apply in good time before traveling from New Zealand to Sri Lanka.

Passengers are advised to bring a printed copy of the ETA in case they are asked to show it at the Sri Lankan border.

Traveling to Sri Lanka with the ETA from New Zealand

New Zealand nationals with approved ETAs are authorized to travel to the country. The ETA grants entry through any international airport or seaport, offering you sufficient flexibility to meet your travel requirements.

You should make sure your travel plans comply with the allowed number of days per visit (30) and arrive and leave within the ETA’s validity period (6 months from the date of issue).

Upon reaching border control, they must submit the following documentation and information for inspection:

New Zealand passport (must be the same one used during the application process)
A printed copy of their Sri Lanka ETA
Proof of onward travel (return or onward ticket)
Proof of sufficient funds to cover their visit

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