Sri Lanka opened applications for a one-year digital nomad visa in February 2026, joining the growing list of countries issuing dedicated permits for remote workers.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration now accepts applications through its website, which posts full terms and conditions. The permit targets foreign nationals who earn their living while working remotely for a company or clients based outside Sri Lanka.

The move comes as the post-pandemic digital nomad trend expands into new markets, even as popular hubs such as Lisbon and Bali grapple with overcrowding.

Who qualifies?

Applicants must meet three baseline criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Earn a minimum monthly income of €1,700 (around $2,000).
• Work exclusively for employers or clients located outside Sri Lanka.

The published rules also require visa-holders to "refrain from any political or disruptive activities" during their stay, euronews reports. That restriction sits alongside the standard bar on taking local employment.

How does the income threshold change for families?

The €1,700 monthly floor covers a single applicant or a family relocating with up to two children. Each additional child beyond two raises the qualifying-income requirement by €425 (about $500) per month.

The fee structure is straightforward. A €425 (around $500) charge applies to every applicant registered, including dependants. A family of four (two adults, two children) would pay €1,700 in combined fees.

What are the stay and renewal rules?

Successful applicants receive a one-year visa. The published terms do not set a cap on renewals, so eligible workers can extend their stay as long as they keep meeting the conditions, euronews reports.

Visa holders can bring spouses and minor children. All family members follow the same application form. Holders must remain employed by a foreign entity throughout the visa's life.

What does Sri Lanka offer remote workers?

Officials and travel writers describe the country as the "pearl of the Indian Ocean," pointing to its biodiversity, cultural heritage and slower pace. Surf destinations include Arugam Bay. Hiking draws visitors to Ella Rock and the Knuckles Range. Wildlife watchers track dolphins off Mirissa, Trincomalee and Kalpitiya.

Notable heritage sites include the Sri Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, in Kandy, inside the former Kingdom of Kandy's royal palace complex. The country's teardrop shape and Buddhist heritage have long drawn travellers from across Asia and beyond.

How do applicants apply?

The application lives entirely online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration portal. The portal lists required supporting documents: proof of remote income, passport scan, evidence of the foreign employer or client relationship, and payment of the €425 fee per applicant.

Readers considering the permit should anchor every step to the official Department of Immigration and Emigration page, which serves as the only authoritative source for the requirements. All criteria, supporting-document lists and fee rules can change, so applicants should consult the official PDF before submitting.