Digital Nomad Visa

Sri Lanka's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a dedicated residence visa for foreign professionals who wish to live in the country while working remotely for employers, clients, or businesses based outside Sri Lanka. Launched in early 2026 with online applications opening on 4 February 2026, the program is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The inaugural Digital Nomad Visa was ceremonially issued on 26 February 2026 at Bandaranaike International Airport's Silk Route terminal. It targets remote workers, freelancers, and business owners whose enterprises are not registered in Sri Lanka and who serve clients exclusively outside the country. The income threshold of USD 2,000 per month places it competitively within South Asia's emerging digital nomad visa landscape.

• Foreign national aged 18 or older engaged in remote employment, freelancing, or business ownership outside Sri Lanka
• Minimum monthly income of USD 2,000 remitted through the Sri Lankan banking system
• International health insurance covering medical care in Sri Lanka
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Police clearance certificate from country of residence (not older than 3 months)
• Medical clearance report
• Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy
• Must not engage in any local employment within Sri Lanka

• Completed visa application form
• Request letter from the applicant
• Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Marriage certificate (for spouse)
• Birth certificate (for dependants)
• Security clearance form
• Medical clearance report
• Police clearance certificate (not older than 3 months)
• International health insurance policy
• Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy
• Proof of minimum monthly remittance for the main applicant and dependants

The visa is issued for 1 year and is renewable annually. Renewal requires re-submission of all required documents plus proof of tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department. Any changes in employment status, income level, or dependant composition must be reported to the Department of Immigration and Emigration within 30 days.

Spouses and dependants may be included in the application. Each spouse and dependant requires a separate annual fee of USD 500. The base income requirement of USD 2,000/month covers the main applicant with a spouse and up to 2 dependants. If the total dependant count exceeds 2, an additional USD 500/month must be remitted for each additional dependant. Dependant children may be enrolled in international or private schools.

DNV holders must comply with all tax and legal obligations in Sri Lanka. Under the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, a person present in Sri Lanka for 183 days or more in a 12-month period is considered a tax resident and may be subject to tax on worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed only on Sri Lanka-sourced income. Upon visa renewal, proof of tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department is required. Applicants should consult relevant double taxation agreements for their specific circumstances.

Applications can be submitted in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration offices in Colombo or Battaramulla, or online through the immigration eservices portal. The process follows three steps:

1. Submission -- submit all required documentation to the Residence Visa Division
2. Evaluation -- documents are reviewed for eligibility and compliance
3. Approval and Visa Issuance -- once approved, the visa endorsement is issued

A recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy must be obtained as part of the application. The application fee is USD 500 per year for the main applicant, USD 500 per year for the spouse, and USD 500 per year for each dependant.

DNV holders are entitled to open and maintain personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka, enter into property rental or lease agreements, access telecommunications, internet and utility services, and participate in co-working spaces, ICT programs, and tourism-related events organised by government or private sector entities.

Holders may only work remotely for entities outside Sri Lanka. All income must be earned from foreign sources. Any local employment within Sri Lanka is strictly prohibited. Violation of visa conditions may result in immediate cancellation of the visa. Voluntary termination requires 2 months' written notice. The Department may also terminate the visa if the holder fails to meet income, legal, or compliance requirements. General overstay penalties apply: USD 250 fine for overstays of 7-14 days and USD 500 for overstays exceeding 14 days.