Sri Lanka · Nomad / Remote work
Sri Lanka Digital nomad visa
Income needed: $2,000+ a month
Digital Nomad Residence Visa
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Digital nomad visa is a nomad / remote work route for Sri Lanka. Applicants need income of $2,000+ a month. You can stay 1 yr, renewable. You can work remotely for foreign employers or clients, not for local ones. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Money needed
- $2,000+ a month
- Government fees
- $500/yr
- First stay
- 1 yr
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee $500/yr; income to show $2,000+/mo. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees$500/yr
- $500 a yearVisa fee for main applicant, spouse and each dependant per year.
Shown, not spent$2,000+/mo · $500+/mo
- $2,000 a monthMinimum monthly income remittance for the main applicant.
- $500 a monthAdditional monthly remittance for each dependant when the number of dependants exceeds two.
RenewalRenewable
The one-year visa is renewable annually; the renewal application must include proof of tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- No local jobs: remote work for employers or clients abroad only
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The main applicant is at least 18 and works remotely, freelances or owns a business that is not registered in Sri Lanka and serves clients outside Sri Lanka.
What you must show3
- The main applicant remits at least USD 2,000 a month.
- Each dependant adds USD 500 a month when the number of dependants exceeds two.
- The visa fee is USD 500 per year for the main applicant, spouse and each dependant.
Documents3
- A recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy is required.
- International health insurance covering Sri Lanka is required.
- Police and medical clearance and a security clearance form are required.
After you arrive3
- Extension requires proof of tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department.
- Changes in employment, income or dependants must be reported to the Department of Immigration and Emigration within 30 days.
- The Department can end the visa if the income, legal or compliance requirements are no longer met.
What happens at day 183
How Sri Lanka decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
1 year at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in any 12-month period commencing or ending during the year of assessmentPresence makes an individual resident
- Foreign-source income
A resident is chargeable on income from Sri Lanka and on foreign-source income (global income); a non-resident only on gains and profits arising or derived from Sri Lanka.
All tax rules for Sri Lanka Tax records checked
Full official text
One-year renewable residence visa for adults doing remote employment, freelancing or running a business not registered in Sri Lanka that serves clients outside Sri Lanka. Local employment is not permitted; all income must come from foreign sources. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least $2,000 a month · Minimum monthly income remittance for the main applicant. 1
- Income of at least $500 a month · Additional monthly remittance for each dependant when the number of dependants exceeds two. 1
- A fee of $500 a year · Visa fee for main applicant, spouse and each dependant per year. 1
Requirements
- The main applicant is at least 18 and works remotely, freelances or owns a business that is not registered in Sri Lanka and serves clients outside Sri Lanka. 1
- The main applicant remits at least USD 2,000 a month. 1
- Each dependant adds USD 500 a month when the number of dependants exceeds two. 1
- The visa fee is USD 500 per year for the main applicant, spouse and each dependant. 1
- A recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy is required. 1
- International health insurance covering Sri Lanka is required. 1
- Police and medical clearance and a security clearance form are required. 1
- Extension requires proof of tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department. 1
- Changes in employment, income or dependants must be reported to the Department of Immigration and Emigration within 30 days. 1
- The Department can end the visa if the income, legal or compliance requirements are no longer met. 1
Stay
- One year, renewable annually.
- Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
- Visa validity: 12 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
Remote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment.
Family
Spouse and dependants may be included.
Official sources
- Digital Nomad Visa Category · Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka · checked 2026-10-12
- Residence Visa categories (employment, investor, education, spouse, Resident Guest, Digital Nomad, others) · Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka · checked 2026-10-12
Digital nomad visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital nomad visa | Needs income of $2,000+ a month | 1 yr, renewable | Remote only |
| DTV nomad visa Thailand | Needs savings of ฿500k+ ≈ $15k | 6 mo, renewable | Remote only |
| Digital nomad visa Japan | Needs income of ¥10M+ a year ≈ $63k | 6 mo | Remote only |
| Remote worker visa Indonesia | Needs income of $60k+ a year | 1 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Virtual Work Visa United Arab Emirates | Needs income of $3,500+ a month | 1 yr | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Digital nomad visa?
Income of at least $2,000 a month. Minimum monthly income remittance for the main applicant. Income of at least $500 a month. Additional monthly remittance for each dependant when the number of dependants exceeds two. A fee of $500 a year. Visa fee for main applicant, spouse and each dependant per year.
How long can I stay on the Digital nomad visa?
One year, renewable annually.
Can I work on the Digital nomad visa?
Remote only. Remote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment.
Can I bring my family on the Digital nomad visa?
Spouse and dependants may be included.
How are Digital nomad visa holders taxed in Sri Lanka?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Digital nomad visa. The standard rules apply: A resident is chargeable on income from Sri Lanka and on foreign-source income (global income); a non-resident only on gains and profits arising or derived from Sri Lanka. From 1 April 2025 the rates on taxable income are 6% to LKR 1,000,000, (≈ $3,020) 18% to LKR 1,500,000, (≈ $4,530) 24% to LKR 2,000,000, (≈ $6,050) 30% to LKR 2,500,000 (≈ $7,560) and 36% above, after an aggregate personal relief of LKR 1,800,000 (≈ $5,440) for residents and citizens.
More in Sri Lanka
Digital nomad / remote work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 2 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Digital Nomad Visa Category · Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka · checked 2026-10-12
- Residence Visa categories (employment, investor, education, spouse, Resident Guest, Digital Nomad, others) · Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka · checked 2026-10-12
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.