Sri Lanka has always been the kind of place that rewards slow travel: sunrise train rides from Kandy to Ella, afternoons spent temple-hopping in Anuradhapura, a long loop around Galle Fort, and the kind of beach days in Mirissa that don’t require an itinerary. Now, the country is making it easier to stretch that trip into something longer. First discussed in 2021, Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa has officially launched in February 2026, opening the door for remote workers to live on the island for up to a year while working for clients outside the country. Here’s everything you need to know about Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa.
Eligibility for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa
Like most digital nomad visas, Sri Lanka’s comes with a minimum income requirement. Applicants must earn at least $2,000USD (around £1,472) per month. That threshold remains the same if you have fewer than two children, but increases by $500USD (around £368) for each additional child. To qualify, applicants must be 18 years or older, demonstrate they meet the income requirement, and confirm they work exclusively for clients outside Sri Lanka. In other words, you can live in Sri Lanka and work remotely, but you cannot take up employment with a Sri Lankan company.
Documents required for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa
The following documents are required for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa:
- A completed visa application form
- A request letter from the applicant
- Photocopy of passport (valid for at least six months)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
- Birth Certificate (for dependants)
- A completed security clearance form
- A medical clearance report
- Proof of a clean criminal record from the home country police (issued within the last three months)
- International health insurance coverage valid in Sri Lanka
- Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy
- Proof of the minimum monthly remittance for the main applicant and the dependents
When and where can one apply for a Sri Lankan digital nomad visa?
Applications are submitted via the Department of Immigration and Emigration website, where the complete list of requirements and submission instructions is available. The visa is valid for one year, costs $500USD (around £368) per person, and is renewable annually.
This article was originally published by Condé Nast Traveller India.
