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

February 4, 2026

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Country / Territory

At a Glance

  • Sri Lanka has introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa and a new tourist visa with extended validity.
  • The government has not yet made the Digital Nomad visa available and details of the application process are still pending. When it becomes available, holders of the Digital Nomad Visa will be able to perform work for their overseas employer remotely in Sri Lanka.
    • Update February 4, 2026: The government has clarified application steps and processes and the online application is now available. 
  • Extended tourist visa applicants can now log on to the Sri Lanka Tourist Mobile App and apply under the Online Electronic Tourist Visa Activation System. Holders of the visa must limit their work activities to representing their overseas company and promoting their services in Sri Lanka.

The situation

The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa and a new tourist visa with extended validity.

 

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.

* The applicable process and fees are subject to change at the discretion of the government.

  • Attracting remote workers. The Sri Lanka government is aiming to attract the fast-growing segment of travelers seeking to work remotely with long-term visas in order to jump start the national economy. Sri Lanka is the first country in the region with an official digital nomad visa. Indonesia and Thailand are also reportedly considering digital nomad visa development.
  • Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.
  • Digitalization of applications. The decision to link the Sri Lanka Tourist Mobile App to the visa application process is one example of countries in the region continuing to digitize immigration processes. For example, in Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower moved Dependant Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass applications to an improved online portal. Further, Indian citizens may now submit documents required for passport services online through the DigiLocker Platform, where they had to previously submit physical documents with their passport services and applications.

 

We will update this alert when Sri Lankan regulators confirm the applicable visa recommendation process.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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