BIA launches Digital Nomad Visa facility

27 February 2026 12:01 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, Feb. 27 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka officially launched its long-anticipated Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) programme at the “Silk Route” passenger terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, positioning the country as a destination for remote professionals seeking long-term stays.

The ceremony, held yesterday (26), was presided over by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, who described the initiative as a key step in advancing Sri Lanka’s digital economy and attracting foreign exchange.

The Digital Nomad Visa allows foreign nationals over the age of 18 to reside in Sri Lanka while working remotely for overseas employers or conducting online businesses registered abroad. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly foreign exchange inflow of US$ 2,000.

Visa holders are permitted to live in the country for one year but are prohibited from engaging in local employment or operating domestic businesses. However, they may enroll their children in international or private schools in Sri Lanka.

Authorities said applications will undergo a stringent evaluation process. Prospective applicants must submit police clearance certificates and medical reports from their home countries, which will be reviewed by the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Following approval, visa recipients will be subject to continuous monitoring by the Department of Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, particularly with regard to bank transactions and tax compliance.

The first Digital Nomad Visas were presented to Ukrainian nationals Daria Gordiienko and her husband Yaroslav Kovelchuk at the launch event, which was attended by Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy Hans Wijayasuriya and Controller (Visa) of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Nayana Senaratne, among other officials.

Further details and application forms are available on the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Comments - 4

Zarook Friday, 27 February 2026 02:10 PM

Dubai is a much better option.

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Hans Peter Friday, 27 February 2026 06:25 PM

attracting foreign exchange/ what a joke. really shortsigthed decisions when honest people who want to invest big into Sri Lanka are put on a wild goose chase!!!!

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DAR Friday, 27 February 2026 08:17 PM

Also, government can make more money if they amend the constitution to abolish dual citizenship laws for Sri Lankans who were born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents who now taken other citizenships and living abroad. They were born in Sri Lanka and acquired Sri Lankan citizenship by descent so they have the legal right of soil and the right of bloodline. No other country charge their own people exorbitant amount of money to register a dual citizenship which has no benefit to them. Its just nonsense.

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letty Saturday, 28 February 2026 12:45 AM

What a stupid move. This only going to destroy our tourism more by attracting these cheap budget tourists. How on earth are they going to track the income of these people? You think they won't use false methods to show proof of income hahaha!! The south is already destroyed by these Russians and Ukrainians who are illegally operating businesses. They never convert any foreign currency to our local rupee and they only use illegal methods to convert their currencies. We need proper tourists who are willing to spend in our country!!! not these ones who want to drain our country further. Making statments that our tourism industry is booming by just looking at the number of tourist arrivals is absolutely stupid!!!! This government needs to wake up!!!!!!!!!

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