Sri Lanka: New Visa Options for Digital Nomads and Tourists Launched

New Visa

Information

Allowable Activities

Digital Nomad Visa

• Validity. The visa offers a one-year stay (with the possibility of renewal).
• Government fee: USD 500 for the first year.
• Update February 4, 2026:
• Eligibility requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must be employed as remote workers, freelancers or business owners whose businesses are not registered in Sri Lanka. All income must be derived exclusively from foreign sources. The principal applicant must demonstrate proof of sufficient minimum salary per government regulations. Applicants must earn a sufficient minimum salary per government regulations.
• Allowable activities. Visa holders are permitted to reside long-term in Sri Lanka, enroll dependent children in international or private educational institutions, access local telecommunications, internet and utility services, participate in co-working spaces, information technology programs and tourism-related events, enter into property rental or lease agreements and open and maintain personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka.  
• Application process. The visa is now available and the application process involves obtaining a recommendation from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy, entering Sri Lanka and completing a mandatory medical clearance, submitting the visa application to the Department of Immigration, undergoing application evaluation and receiving approval and visa issuance from the DOIE. The visa fee is USD 500 per applicant. 

• Digital Nomads will benefit from a new visa option that will allow them to perform work for their overseas employer remotely in Sri Lanka, which is currently not possible.
• Local employment is not possible under this visa type.

Extended Tourist Visa

• Validity. 180 days (up from the regular 90 days of regular tourist visas).
• Application process. Applicants can now log on to the Sri Lanka Tourist Mobile App and apply for the extended tourist visa under the Online Electronic Tourist Visa Activation System.
• Government fees:
  • • tourists from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation  (SAARC) countries: USD 70;
    • tourists from non-SAARC countries: USD 85;
    • tourists from Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles: USD 50 (as per bilateral agreements).

Tourists benefit from an easier way to apply for a tourist visa online with a longer duration of stay in Sri Lanka. However, they must limit their work activities to representing their overseas company and promoting their services in Sri Lanka if they plan to work remotely in Sri Lanka.