Asian – Dispatch

Sri Lanka has introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa and extended the validity of its tourist visa, allowing visitors and remote workers to stay longer as the country seeks to boost tourism and attract foreign income earners.

Under the new policy, remote professionals can legally live in Sri Lanka while working online for companies or clients abroad. At the same time, tourists can now remain in the country for up to 180 days without repeated renewals.

Digital Nomad Visa Introduced

Sri Lanka’s first Digital Nomad Visa allows eligible remote workers to stay in the country for one year, with renewal options available. The visa fee is set at $500 per applicant for the first year.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, work remotely for overseas employers or businesses, and earn income exclusively from outside Sri Lanka.

Visa holders cannot take local employment but can rent property, open bank accounts, enroll children in private schools, and use local services and co-working spaces.

The application process includes obtaining approval from the Ministry of Digital Economy, completing medical clearance after arrival, and submitting documents to immigration authorities for final approval.

Tourist Visa Extended to 180 Days

Sri Lanka has also expanded its tourist visa validity from 90 to 180 days. Travelers can apply online through the country’s Electronic Tourist Visa Activation System via a mobile app.

Fees are set at $70 for SAARC nationals, $85 for non-SAARC travelers, and $50 for visitors from Singapore, Maldives, and Seychelles under bilateral agreements.

Tourists remain prohibited from taking local jobs, though limited remote work linked to overseas employers is allowed.

Boosting Tourism and Long-Term Visitors

The government says the new measures aim to attract long-staying visitors and digital workers who spend locally without competing for domestic jobs.

Sri Lanka joins a growing number of countries introducing digital visa systems and remote work permits as governments adapt to global work trends and modernize immigration services.

Source: Pro Pakistani