Understanding The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization from New Zealand

Updated on Jun 18, 2024 | Sri Lanka e-Visa

This is a comprehensive article whose main purpose is to educate foreign travellers like the passport holders of New Zealand about how they can obtain a Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens online.

Since an eVisa for Sri Lanka is a revolutionary introduction in the modern world of tourism and travel, all visitors, from not only New Zealand, but other parts of the globe, should be aware of how an electronic travel authorization works and what are some of the best features of the travel permit that makes it a favourable and feasible eVisa option for most travellers!

What Are Some of The Most Special Features Of The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization That Makes It A Unique Travel Document?

Here are some of the most special features of the Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens that makes it a unique travel document as compared to the other travel documents out there:

Electronic Application

Obtaining a traditional Visa for Sri Lanka means that the applicant will have to make in-person visits to the Embassy till they obtain an approved Visa. Fortunately, this is not the case for obtaining an electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka.

Why you may ask? Well, Sri Lanka Visa application process is carried 100% online on a digital application website which eliminates the need to visit an Embassy to apply for a Visa for the country. Thus eVisa is an efficient and time-saving travel document for busy applicants.

Quick Processing Periods

An electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka is usually processed and approved within 24 hours to 72 hours of application. This is contrary to the time taken by an Embassy to process a Visa application for Sri Lanka which can go up to several days. And several weeks as well.

Single And Multiple Entries

With an electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka, the applicant will be provided double entries and multiple entries on their Tourist eVisa and Business eVisa respectively. This means that the traveller can enter and exit from Sri Lanka more than once without having to apply for a new eVisa each time they wish to visit the country.

Digital Linking

Once an application for eVisa is processed and approved, the electronic travel authorization will be electronically linked with the applicant's passport. This reduces the need for the applicant to apply for a Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival after they have landed in Sri Lanka. This also means that the applicant will not have to go through lengthy procedures at the entry port to obtain Visa stamps for entering Sri Lanka as an eVisa is enough.

How Is An Electronic Travel Authorization For Sri Lanka Different From A Typical Visa?

A Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens is an electronic travel permit that is tailored to allow foreign passport holders such as the nationals of New Zealand to enter the country for short-period visits. With a Tourist eVisa, the traveller will be able to tour around the country 30 days. However with a Business e-Visa you explore business opportunities for up to 90 days per vist

Moreover, visitors who will not be staying in Sri Lanka for a period longer than 48 hours as they are transiting through the country are recommended to obtain a Sri Lanka Transit eVisa.

Please keep in mind that an electronic travel authorization is not similar to a Visa for Sri Lanka. While both travel documents are used to legally stay in Sri Lanka for a specific period, the way in which they are obtained are completely different. Here are some essential pointers that make the electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka different from a typical Visa for the country:

  1. The Application Procedure: The electronic travel authorization application procedure is completed within minutes fully online. On the other hand, a traditional Visa will take a long while to be applied as the applicant will have to make long visits to the Embassy location.
  2. Motive Of Travel: Generally, an electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka is granted to those travellers who plan to enter the country for short visits to fulfil travel motives such as: A. Tourism. B. Business. C. Transit. On the other hand, a traditional Sri Lanka Visa is obtained for long visits to Sri Lanka which includes the above-mentioned purposes along with work and study purposes as well.
  3. Cost Of Application: Generally, the cost of application or eVisa fees is much lower as compared to the fees charged by a traditional Visa for Sri Lanka.
  4. Duration Of Stay: An electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka will allow travellers to stay in the country for a period of thirty days. On the other hand, a traditional Sri Lankan Visa can be obtained for longer durations of stay.

What Are Some Essential Eligibility Criteria Which Will Grant A New Zealand Traveller A Sri Lanka eVisa Online?

Here are the essential Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens eligibility criteria, which upon meeting, can grant a valid electronic travel permit for visiting Sri Lanka:

  1. A valid New Zealand passport: To obtain an electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka, all visitors should have a machine readable passport granted by the New Zealand Government. The validity held by this passport should be: 06 months.
  2. No criminal history or overstaying records: Before applying for an eVisa for Sri Lanka, the applicant should ensure that there is no criminal record associated with their name. Moreover, if an applicant has a record of overstaying in Sri Lanka, they may not be eligible for an eVisa.
  3. Must apply digitally: All applicants from New Zealand, who are fully eligible to obtain an eVisa, should be capable of applying digitally for the eVisa. This can be done according to the time and location preference of the traveller.
  4. Pay the application charges: The passport holders of New Zealand, who are obtaining a Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens, should arrange a valid credit/debit card to pay the eVisa charges online.
  5. Provide personal data: On the electronic travel authorization application form, the applicant will have to fill out certain personal data such as: A. Full name. B. Gender and nationality. C. Date of birth, etc. Along with that, the applicant will have to provide details about their New Zealand passport and travel plans to Sri Lanka.

What Are Some Of The Most Heavenly Temples In Sri Lanka That Should Be Visited For A Successful Spiritual And Religious Journey?

Some of the most heavenly temples to pay visit in Sri Lanka this year with the Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens are as follows:

  • The Gangaramaya Temple: The location of this stunning temple is Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • The Temple Of The Sacred Tooth Relic: The location of this beautiful temple is Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • The Naguleswaram Temple: The location of this divine temple is Kankesanturai, Sri Lanka.
  • The Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple: The location of this sacred temple is Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
  • The Shaktipeeth Shri Shankari Devi Temple: The location of this eye-catching temple is Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
  • The Kataragama Temple: The location of this holy temple is Kataragama, Sri Lanka.
  • The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple: The location of this spiritual temple is Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka.
  • The Cave Temple: The location of this captivating temple is Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
  • The Muthiyangana Temple: The location of this mesmerising temple is Badulla, Sri Lanka.
  • The Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple: The location of this serene temple is Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Summary

  • The Sri Lanka eVisa from New Zealand is an incredible travel permit for business purposes as it allows visitors to enjoy multiple entries on each eVisa.
  • A Sri Lanka eVisa for New Zealand citizens is linked electronically to the valid passport of the applicant which reduces the need to apply for a VOA after arriving in Sri Lanka.
  • To be eligible to obtain an electronic travel authorization for Sri Lanka, the applicant should first ensure that their New Zealand passport is fully eligible for an eVisa according to the standards set by the Sri Lankan Government. 

READ MORE:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sri Lanka e-Visa. Get answers to the most common questions about the requirements, important information and documents required to travel to Sri Lanka.


Apply for Sri Lanka e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Citizens from Australia, Denmark, Canada and France can apply online for Sri Lanka e-Visa.