Sri Lankan authorities have launched a Digital Nomad Visa category in a bid to interest foreign professionals in living and working on the South Asian island and boost the country’s knowledge economy and visitor numbers.
With Jaffna, Sri Lanka, ranked first in Lonely Planet’s 2026 “Most Exciting Destinations” (and the only Asian destination in the top 15), the country is building momentum. A resort claimed to be the nation’s largest private investment launched in Colombo’s City of Dreams in 2025, marking what developers said was “a new benchmark in South Asia for world-class lifestyle, entertainment, and retail offerings.” And mid-way through the year, officials added 33 countries to their free visa for 30-day stays scheme, taking the total beneficiaries to 40.
Tourist visas have since become available by app. Now, according to an official statement, another shift in visa policy is designed to “attract foreign professionals who wish to live and work remotely from Sri Lanka, while serving clients or companies based outside the country.”
To be eligible, the foreign national must be at least 18 years old and engaged in remote employment, freelancing or own a business (not registered in Sri Lanka) that serves clients outside Sri Lanka. The minimum monthly income requirement for an individual is USD $2,000.
Main applicants are permitted to bring spouses and dependents, but the minimum income threshold goes up by an additional USD $500 for every dependent over two people. Application fees also apply. It costs USD $500 per year, per person.
Applicants will need to submit:
- A completed visa application form
- A request letter from the applicant
- Photocopy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
- Birth Certificate (for dependants)
- A completed security clearance form
- A medical clearance report
- Proof of a clean criminal record from the home country police (dating no further back than three months)
- International health insurance coverage valid in Sri Lanka
- Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy
- Proof of the minimum monthly remittance for the main applicant and the dependents
Applications go to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, where they are evaluated for eligibility and compliance, leading, if successful, to approval. Once issued, the visa lasts one year but can be extended, subject to resupplying the required documents and proof of tax and registration via the Inland Revenue.
Digital nomad visa holders are entitled to reside legally in Sri Lanka for up to 12 months, renewable annually; open and maintain personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka; enter into property agreements; enrol children into international or private schools; and access Sri Lankan co-working spaces, ICT programs, and tourism-related events organized by the government or private sector.
