💻 Sri Lanka for digital nomads: all about the new visa

Last updated Jan 16, 2025

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The digital nomad visa makes it easier to obtain permanent residence. About fifty countries offer digital nomad visas. As a rule, it is received by IT employees who can afford to work remotely for a good salary. In September 2023, Sri Lanka became another country that allowed visitors on this type of visa. How an island state can attract specialists from all over the world is discussed in this material.

The digital nomad visa is no longer a trend, but an opportunity to lure highly qualified specialists to the country. Even if you don’t work in IT, you shouldn’t close the tab with this material, because a laptop connected to the Internet is already considered an area related to digital technology. Another thing is that to obtain this type of visa you need to have a certain level of income received from abroad.

The idea of introducing a digital nomad visa in the republic was thought about back in 2021, but it was officially approved only in September 2023. With this type of document you can stay in the country for a year. Moreover, since digital nomads in Sri Lanka are not tax residents, they are exempt from paying the fee. However, there is a nuance: working in local companies with such a visa is prohibited.

Visa requirements:

proof of remote work and a monthly income of at least $2,000 (the same amount must be deposited into a bank account in Sri Lanka);
documents confirming the purpose of coming to Sri Lanka: employment contract or rental agreement;
passport valid for at least another 6 months; – international health insurance for the entire period of stay in the country.

Sri Lanka has long been on the list of popular countries among nomads. The cost of living is low, and the conditions are quite good. If you are looking for a place to work in South Asia with low prices and excellent weather, but not overloaded with tourists, then welcome to the island. A bonus is that there are many places for surfing.

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Unlike other tropical countries, in Sri Lanka there is no concept of high or low season – you can swim in the ocean or sunbathe in both December and June. The air temperature on the island stays within 25-30 °C all year round, and the water temperature is 27-29 °C. So you definitely won’t have to languish in the heat.

Prices

Sri Lanka is considered one of the cheapest countries in Asia and the world. So, for example, a huge portion of assorted vegetarian curry and rice for several people will cost about $ 2.5. Renting a one-room apartment in a typical area of the largest city and de facto capital, Colombo, will cost about $320.

It is also worth noting that on the island it is possible to visit many attractions absolutely free! Ancient temples and ruins, national parks that are located throughout the country, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – all this will not cost anything. To get acquainted with the country and prices, you can first take tours to Sri Lanka.

Places to work

Even though Sri Lanka is a new destination for digital nomads, the country has a lot to offer visiting workers. The top three cities to move to are Galle, Kandy and Colombo.

So, for example, in the capital there are many co-working spaces and cafes where you can sit with a laptop. As a rule, there are no problems with the Internet. For example, the Kumbuk cafe, as they say, got the hang of it and offers visitors 90 minutes of excellent Wi-Fi, provided they order something.

The hill town of Kandy is a spiritual and sacred place for Buddhists from all over the world. It's also a great living option for digital nomads who want a cooler climate. Since the city was founded a long time ago, it has preserved many historical attractions.

So if, in addition to excellent internet, maximum cultural immersion is important to you, moving to Kandy is worth considering. By the way, TripAdvisor users recommend Natural Coffee Shop as a very good place to work.

The charming coastal town of Galle is perfect if you want to be in Asia but feel like you're in Europe. Narrow cobbled streets, a lighthouse, galleries – colonial architecture will often make you doubt where you are.

Let's summarize:

Sri Lanka is a very beautiful island with a rich culture and pleasant climate. The main condition for a digital nomad is reliable and high-speed Internet, which is perfectly met in large cities. The cost of staying on the island is also very reasonable: apartment rental, public transport and food are relatively inexpensive. And the colonial period of Sri Lanka under England affected the fact that many residents speak English quite well.