Sri Lanka digital nomad visa & residency (2026)

Sri Lanka officially launched its Digital Nomad Visa in February 2026, making it the first country in South/Southeast Asia with a formally designated digital-nomad visa category. Cabinet had approved the programme in 2023; the online portal went live in February 2026.

Applicants must be 18+, employed by or freelancing for entities based outside Sri Lanka, and earn a minimum of USD 2,000/month from those foreign sources. A valid international health insurance policy and a police clearance certificate from the home country are required. Spouses and children under 18 may be included, with an additional USD 500/month income requirement per extra dependent beyond two.

Applications are submitted fully online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration; no in-person embassy visit is required. The non-refundable processing fee is USD 500 per applicant. Applicants must first enter Sri Lanka on a valid entry visa (e.g., tourist e-visa), then apply for the DNV in-country.

Holders may open personal Sri Lankan bank accounts, enroll dependent children in international or private schools, and use co-working spaces. Local employment and any income earned from Sri Lankan sources are prohibited. Changes in employment, income, or dependents must be notified to immigration within 30 days. Holders must refrain from political or disruptive activities.

The visa is renewable annually provided all eligibility criteria continue to be met. From the second year onward, applicants must submit proof of Sri Lankan tax registration as part of the renewal process, signalling an expectation of fiscal engagement for longer-term residents.

A separate investor-focused Golden Paradise Residence Visa launched in 2025 offers 5-year residence (minimum USD 100,000 bank deposit) or 10-year residence (minimum USD 200,000). The first visa was issued 1 October 2025. Annual fee is USD 200 per person; holders are authorized to work and study in Sri Lanka.