Sri Lanka has launched a digital nomad visa, now accepting online applications through the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
The program permits foreign professionals to live in Sri Lanka and work remotely for overseas employers, with a minimum monthly income of $2,000, plus an additional $500 for each dependent beyond two family members.
Eligibility requirements stipulate that applicants must be at least 18 years old and engaged in remote employment, freelancing, or business ownership serving clients outside Sri Lanka, explicitly prohibiting local employment.
Visa holders must submit proof of minimum monthly remittances, along with documentation including international health insurance valid in Sri Lanka, police clearance certificates dated within the past 3 months, and medical reports.
Permitted activities include opening personal bank accounts, entering property rental agreements, enrolling dependents in international or private schools, and accessing co-working spaces and government-organized information and communications technology programmes.
Holders must notify the Department of Immigration and Emigration within 30 days of changes in employment status, income levels or dependent composition. Any modification in the core conditions that initially qualified the applicant triggers mandatory reporting obligations.
Extended Tourist Visa Adds Flexible Option
Authorities have also introduced an extended tourist option that would be a middle ground for professionals seeking temporary stays without full digital nomad status.
Holders may represent overseas companies and promote services in Sri Lanka, but face tighter restrictions on income-generating activities than digital nomad visa holders.
The tourist visa extension builds on earlier reforms that expanded short-stay electronic visa validity from 30 to 90 days, with provisions for an additional 90-day extension.
In mid-2025, officials added 33 countries to the free 30-day visa scheme, bringing the total number of beneficiary countries to 40.
Existing Residency Pathways
Sri Lanka currently offers six investment-based residency routes with minimum thresholds ranging from $75,000 to $500,000, spanning bank deposits, real estate purchases, government bonds, public equities and direct business investment.
The program requires a $200,000 bank deposit for a 10-year validity period, while condominium thresholds start at $75,000 in suburban areas for a five-year permit.
Only the Resident Guest Scheme Investor category provides a pathway to citizenship, requiring an initial $250,000 deposit in a foreign currency account paying Central Bank interest rates for two years, followed by investment in Board of Investment-approved projects.
A Mid-Tier Entry in a Crowded Field
Sri Lanka’s new digital nomad visa enters a crowded market spanning more than 50 countries. Its $2,000 monthly income threshold positions it squarely in the middle of the global digital nomad visa market.
Within Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka’s threshold undercuts Indonesia’s $5,000 requirement and Thailand’s higher Long Term Visa threshold of around $80,000/year, while remaining competitive with Malaysia’s $24,000 annual bar.
Unlike Estonia and Malta's visas, which target high-earning tech professionals, Sri Lanka's new program is set to compete for the same market segment as Portugal and Costa Rica, targeting remote workers making $3,000 or less.
For a complete breakdown of income requirements, validity periods, and family provisions across all 50+ digital nomad visa programs worldwide, see IMI's Complete Digital Nomad Visa Guide.
IMI Pros Who Can Help with Sri Lanka Residency
