Sri Lanka launched a new digital nomad visa: How to apply

If you’re still riding the wave of being a digital nomad or looking for your next home away from home to work remotely, you may be able to add Sri Lanka to your list of options. The South Asian country officially launched its digital nomad visa in February.

The visa is designed to “attract foreign professionals who wish to live and work remotely from Sri Lanka while serving clients or companies based outside of the country,” Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration–Residence Visa Division states online.

To be eligible, applicants must meet a number of qualifications, including the following:

• Be employed by a company based in another country, be a freelancer or own a business not registered in Sri Lanka.
• Have a minimum monthly income of $2,000 USD. For applicants with more than two dependents, that amount increases by $500 for each additional one. Applicants must provide proof of the minimum monthly income.
• Have health insurance and suitable accommodations for the duration of their stay.
• Refrain from any political or disruptive activities.
• Provide proof of a clean criminal record from their home country.

Applicants must pay $500 per person to apply for the visa, according to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Once the applicant has all their paperwork in order, they must submit the required documentation to the Department of Immigration and Emigration—Residence Visa Division online. If approved, the visa endorsement will be issued on the applicant’s passport. It is renewable annually, but after the first year, applicants must submit proof of Sri Lankan tax registration.

Holders of the digital nomad visa will be permitted to open personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka, enroll their dependent children in international or private schools and participate in co-working spaces and tourism-related events organized by the government or private-sector entities.

If there are any changes to the digital nomad visa holder’s employment, income or dependents, the Department of Immigration and Emigration must be notified within 30 days.

Digital nomad visa programs rose in popularity following the Covid-19 pandemic. As of 2025, over 50 regions and countries are offering programs for digital nomads, including Italy, Bulgaria and Spain.

Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa is similar to those from other countries around Europe and Asia. The length of time a nomad can stay varies from place to place, but most countries allow for six months to a year.

In addition to acquiring a visa, there are additional factors to keep in mind if you plan to live and work remotely from another country. For instance, if you are an American earning more than the minimum income required to file — which depends on your filing status — you still must file a U.S. tax return, according to H&R Block.

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