Nomad Watch
LK

Digital Nomad Visa

Active Special rate

Sri Lanka · ඩිජිටල් නෝමඩ් වීසා · Formal dn visa · apply in country

Minimum income $2,000/month $24,000/year
Stay 12 months, renewable
Application fee $500 plus $500 per dependent
Tax 15.0% Bank-remitted foreign-currency income, 15% maximum

Path to staying

  1. Visa12 months
  2. Renewrenewable
  • Leads to residency
  • Leads to citizenship

Overview

Country
Sri Lanka
Visa name
Digital Nomad Visa
Local name
ඩිජිටල් නෝමඩ් වීසා
Program type
Formal dn visa
Status
Active
Initial duration
12 months
Max duration
—
Income requirement
$2,000/month ($24,000/year)
Application fee
$500
Tax status
Special rate

Requirements

  • Health insurance required
  • Criminal record check required
  • Proof of accommodation not required
  • Proof of employment or clients required
  • University degree not required

What you can do

  • Work for local companies
  • Freelancers eligible
  • Employees eligible
  • Work permit included no
  • Bring dependents
  • Multiple entry
  • Open a local bank account

Family and dependents

Dependents allowed
Yes
Extra income per dependent
$500/mo
Dependent fee
$500

Tax

Tax status
Special rate
Tax rate
15.0%
Tax regime
Bank-remitted foreign-currency income, 15% maximum
Foreign income taxed
Yes
Tax residency trigger
183 days

How to apply

Application method
in country
Can apply in-country
Yes
Multiple entry
Yes
Can open bank account
Yes
Renewable
Yes

Notes

Residence-visa category 14. The Department of Immigration and Emigration issues it for one year to a foreign national aged 18 or over who is remotely employed, freelances, or owns a business that is not registered in Sri Lanka and that serves clients outside the country. It renews annually. The guideline states no maximum number of renewals and no separate five-year visa. The holder must remit at least USD 2,000 a month. Once the dependent count is above two, a further USD 500 a month is required for each. The guideline does not say whether the spouse is inside that count. The visa fee is USD 500 a year for the holder, the spouse and each dependant. The fee schedule lists the same USD 500 for a year or part of a year. Local employment is prohibited, and all income must come from foreign sources. The file needs a passport valid for at least six months, a police clearance not older than three months, a security clearance form, a medical clearance report, international health insurance that covers care in Sri Lanka, a recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy, and proof of the monthly remittance. Renewal adds proof of registration with the Inland Revenue Department. Documents go to the Residence Visa Division at Suhurupaya, Battaramulla, and the visa is endorsed in the passport. There is no published processing time and no online application for this category. Holders may open a personal bank account, sign a lease, and enrol children in an international or private school. A change in employment, income or dependents must be notified within 30 days. Political or disruptive activity is forbidden. Ending the visa on request needs two months' written notice, and leaving permanently needs 14 working days' notice. The visa does not exempt foreign income. Presence of 183 days or more in a twelve-month period makes an individual tax resident under section 69(1)(b) of the Inland Revenue Act. From 1 April 2025, the exemptions on service-export and foreign-source income are removed. Income received in foreign currency and remitted through a bank is taxed at a maximum of 15%. Income that misses either condition follows the ordinary scale, up to 36%. The June 2026 rule that keeps Investor Category Residence Visa holders non-resident does not name this visa. The income and fee figures are published in US dollars, so the dollar fields are those figures, not a conversion. The annual income figure is twelve times the monthly remittance.

Also in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka also offers these long-term residency programs

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source

Change history

    • Official page https://www.immigration.gov.lk/ https://www.immigration.gov.lk/content/files/visa/digital_nomad/Digital%20Nomad%20Visa%20C...
    • Max duration months 60 none
    • Income monthly (USD) 1500 2000
    • Income annual (USD) 18000 24000
    • Tax status exempt special_rate
    • Tax rate pct none 15
    • Income monthly (local currency) 1500 2000
    • Income annual (local currency) 18000 24000

    official and source URLs set to the department guideline, replacing the department homepage and the CNBC article. Local name set to the ministry's Sinhala, ඩිජිටල් නෝමඩ් වීසා (https://mode.gov.lk/si/blog/nomad).

Free views Sign up free