New Zealand passport → Sri Lanka
New Zealand passport → Sri Lanka
Visa requirement for citizens of New Zealand travelling to Sri Lanka for tourism or short visits.
⚡Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)Verified — last checked 25 Oct 2026 against an official source
Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration — free ETA notice, 25 May 2026 immigration.gov.lk
Free ETA under the 40-country scheme (30 days, double entry).
Value last changed 25 Oct 2026 — see the changelog.
What to do next
- Apply a few days before departure. The authorisation for Sri Lanka is applied for online through the official government channel. It is not a visa, but it is mandatory.
- Wait for approval before check-in. Airlines will not board you without an approved authorisation, so do not leave it to the airport.
- Travel on the same passport. The authorisation is linked to your passport — if you renew it, you need a new authorisation.
Before you go
- Passport usually needs 6+ months of validity beyond your travel dates
- An approved electronic travel authorisation — airlines check before boarding
- The same passport you used for the authorisation application
- Proof of onward or return travel
- Accommodation details and evidence of sufficient funds
Requirement details
- Requirement
- ⚡Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Apply before travel?
- Yes — online authorisation, usually approved quickly
- Evidence
- Last verified 25 Oct 2026 · Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration — free ETA notice, 25 May 2026
What this means
Sri Lanka requires holders of a New Zealand passport to obtain an electronic travel authorisation before travelling. This is not a visa, but airlines will not board you without it. Apply through the official government channel a few days before departure.
Whatever the requirement, your passport generally needs at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates, and border officers can ask for proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. Rules on this page cover ordinary passports and short tourist visits — work, study and long stays follow different rules.
Plan the rest of the trip
No visa needed for this route — but for trips that do need one, VisaHQ can prepare and submit the paperwork for a service fee.
Visit VisaHQ →Travel medical insurance built for long and short trips, with per-day pricing and monthly subscriptions.
Visit SafetyWing →Local and regional eSIMs so you land with data working — no physical SIM swap, no roaming bill.
Visit Airalo →Free information first: everything above is the full answer. These are optional services travellers often use for this route.
Frequently asked questions
You need an authorisation, not a visa. Electronic travel authorisation required before travelling; airlines will not board you without it.
Up to 30 days under the current rule.
Yes — last verified on 2026-10-25 against an official source: Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration — free ETA notice, 25 May 2026.