Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Rules, Income and Fees
Sri Lanka has a one-year visa for people who work remotely for clients or employers abroad. Here are the official rules, checked on 23 October 2026.
Friday.lk
4 min read · Checked 23 October 2026
- Sri Lanka has a Digital Nomad Visa. It lasts one year and can be renewed.
- You must remit at least US$2,000 a month from outside Sri Lanka. The fee is US$500 a year for you, and US$500 a year for a spouse and for each dependant.
- You cannot work for a Sri Lankan employer. All your income must come from abroad.
A correction
An earlier version of this guide (27 May 2026) said that Sri Lanka does not have a digital nomad visa, and it quoted tourist ETA fees that do not match the official fee table. That was wrong. The visa exists, and we rebuilt this guide on 23 October 2026 from the immigration department's own document.
Who can apply?
- You must be 18 or older.
- You work remotely for an employer abroad, work as a freelancer, or own a business that is not registered in Sri Lanka. Your clients must be outside Sri Lanka.
- Your spouse and dependants can be included in your application.
How much must I earn?
The main applicant must remit at least US$2,000 a month. If you have more than 2 dependants, you need an extra US$500 a month for each extra one. You must show proof of the monthly remittance.
What does it cost?
| Person | Fee for one year |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | $500 |
| Spouse | $500 |
| Each dependant | $500 |
Digital Nomad Visa fees per year (US$). Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration, checked 23 October 2026.
What documents do I need?
The department lists these for all applicants:
- The filled visa application form and a request letter.
- A copy of your passport, valid for at least 6 months, and two recent passport photos.
- A marriage certificate for a spouse, and birth certificates for dependants.
- A filled security clearance form and a medical clearance report.
- A police clearance certificate from your home country or country of residence, not older than 3 months.
- International health insurance that covers care in Sri Lanka.
- A recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy.
- Proof of the monthly remittance for you and your dependants.
How do I apply?
- Send the documents to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Residence Visa Division.
- The department checks that you are eligible.
- If you are approved, the visa is put in your passport.
Contact the department at contvisa@immigration.gov.lk or on +94 11 210 1540. It is at "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla.
The rules you must follow
- You cannot take local employment in Sri Lanka. All income must be from foreign sources.
- You must follow Sri Lankan immigration, tax and other laws.
- Tell the department within 30 days if your job, income or dependants change.
- Breaking the conditions can mean the visa is cancelled immediately.
What does the visa let me do?
The department says holders can live in Sri Lanka for up to 12 months, open a personal bank account, sign a rental or lease, put children in international or private schools, and use phone, internet and utility services. You can also join co-working spaces and ICT and tourism events. See our coworking spaces, coworking in Colombo and hostels.
If you are only visiting, see our visa guide for tourists.
Where the numbers come from
Everything about the digital nomad visa on this page is from the immigration department's own document. The visa was announced in February 2026.
- Department of Immigration and Emigration: Digital Nomad Visa Category (PDF)
- Fragomen, 4 February 2026: new visa options for digital nomads and tourists (launch date)
- ETA fees page (eta.gov.lk), for tourist ETA fees
Common questions
Does Sri Lanka have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. The Department of Immigration and Emigration offers a Digital Nomad Visa for one year. It started in early 2026. The department publishes the rules in its own document.
How much do I need to earn?
The department says the main applicant must remit at least US$2,000 a month. If there are more than 2 dependants, another US$500 a month is needed for each extra one. All income must come from outside Sri Lanka.
How much does the digital nomad visa cost?
The department lists US$500 a year for the main applicant, US$500 a year for a spouse and US$500 a year for each dependant.
Can I work for a Sri Lankan company on this visa?
No. The conditions say local employment is not allowed and all income must be earned from foreign sources. The visa is for people who serve clients or employers outside Sri Lanka.
Can I renew it?
The visa lasts one year and can be renewed each year. To renew, you must send proof of tax registration from the Inland Revenue Department with your documents.
Can I work remotely on a normal tourist ETA?
We could not find an official statement that allows remote work on a tourist ETA. The tourist ETA is for tourism and lasts 30 days. If you want to stay and work, use the digital nomad visa or ask the Department of Immigration first.