Sri Lanka reactivates Digital Nomad Visa

• Officially welcomes first visa holder

Sri Lanka marked a historic milestone on February 26, 2026, with the ceremonial issuance of the first Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) and the official welcome of first DNV holder Darya Gordiyenko and her spouse Yaroslav Kovalchuk to the island. 

The event, organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), was held at the Silk Route Arrival Lounge at Bandaranaike International Airport.

The ceremony was graced by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Chief Advisor to President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, SLTPB Deputy Managing Director Chamila Jayarathna, Mount Lavinia Hotel Managing Director and SLTPB Board Member Saakya Ukwatte and Immigration and Emigration Department Controller Visa Nayana E. Senarathna, along with the officials from the SLTPB and ICTA.

The Cabinet approval for the DNV was granted in 2023. However, despite the approval, the programme remained inactive for a considerable period. 

Recognising the increasing global demand for flexible work environments and understanding the strategic importance of attracting location-independent professionals, Sri Lanka Tourism took decisive steps to operationalise and reactivate the DNV initiative in close collaboration with the relevant institutions.

To drive this initiative forward, the SLTPB appointed a dedicated Digital Nomad Tourism Advisory Committee comprising SLTPB Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, SLTPB Managing Director D.M.S.A. Niroshana, SLTPB Deputy Director Design and Marketing Officer Digital Nomads Tourism Darshana Charith Kaluthanthri, SLTPB Board Member and Mount Lavinia Hotel Managing Director Saakya Ukwatte, SLTPB Board Member and Abercrombie & Kent (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Gayangi Wirasinha, Trace Sri Lanka Executive Director Heminda Jayaweera, ICTA Director Technology Industry Development Chiranthi Balapatabendi and ICTA Specialist Visa Officer Charith Kandamulla. The committee engaged in several productive discussions with Immigration and Emigration Department Acting Controller General Chaminda Pathiraja. Senarathna and Pinithi Minsara of the Immigration and Emigration Department also actively contributed to these deliberations. 

During these discussions with the Immigration and Emigration Department, Central Bank Senior Assistant Director Nuwan Jayaweera, together with the representatives from the Defence Ministry, participated alongside the representatives of the SLTPB and ICTA, to ensure that the regulatory, financial and security considerations were comprehensively addressed. The initiative further benefited from the guidance and institutional support extended by the Defence Ministry in strengthening the necessary security-related frameworks.

Through these coordinated inter-agency efforts, the SLTPB identified the key challenges that had previously hindered the effective issuance of the DNV and worked closely with the above-mentioned officials to introduce structured and practical solutions. 

Following several rounds of discussions, procedural refinements and system enhancements, the DNV was officially reactivated on February 14, 2026. The visa application process is now fully operational through the official platform of the Immigration and Emigration Department.

The issuance of the first DNV represents not only the implementation of a new visa category but also the beginning of a strategic shift in Sri Lanka’s tourism positioning. The initiative is designed to attract remote workers, entrepreneurs and global digital professionals who work for overseas employers or manage international businesses while residing in Sri Lanka.  These long-stay visitors are expected to contribute to foreign exchange earnings, support local service sectors, engage with communities and organically promote Sri Lanka through their global digital networks.

In parallel with the visa reactivation, the SLTPB will implement Digital Nomad Promotional Campaign 2026, a targeted international marketing initiative aimed at positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive lifestyle destination for remote professionals. The campaign will utilise strategic digital marketing, international partnerships, content-driven storytelling and engagement with global remote work platforms to promote Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, connectivity, lifestyle appeal and cost advantages. 

It will focus on key source markets with a high concentration of remote professionals and highlight Sri Lanka’s unique combination of tropical living, cultural richness, reliable internet connectivity, co-working ecosystems and travel diversity within a compact geography. This milestone underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to innovation-driven tourism development and the integration of tourism with the digital economy. By aligning policy implementation with proactive global marketing, Sri Lanka aims to position itself as a forward-looking, progressive and welcoming destination for global digital talent.

Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application requirements for the DNV can be obtained by visiting the official website of the Immigration and Emigration Department.