Living or working in Sri Lanka: long-stay, digital nomad and working holiday visas

Long‑stay visas let you stay up to three months and can be extended once; the digital‑nomad visa, introduced in 2024, allows remote workers to stay up to six months without a local employer. There is no working‑holiday scheme for Sri Lanka.

Long‑stay (tourist) visa: for travellers who intend to stay longer than the standard 30‑day tourist visa. You must show a return ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.

Digital‑nomad visa: for remote workers employed abroad. Required documents include a contract or proof of income (minimum US$2,000 /month), health insurance covering Sri Lanka and a clean criminal record.

Work visa: only for those with a Sri Lankan employer who obtains a work permit from the Department of Immigration & Emigration. This is not a holiday visa.

Long‑stay visa fee is around US$50 (≈ LKR 15,000). The digital‑nomad visa costs about US$100 (≈ LKR 30,000). Both fees are non‑refundable.

Processing normally takes 4 weeks for long‑stay and 6 weeks for digital‑nomad, but peak seasons can add extra time.

1. Create an account on the Sri Lanka Immigration e‑visa portal.

2. Choose the visa type and fill the online form.

3. Upload required documents: passport, photo, proof of income (digital‑nomad), travel itinerary (long‑stay).

4. Pay the fee and submit.

5. Wait for email confirmation; print the e‑visa.

6. On arrival, present passport, e‑visa and any supporting documents to immigration.

Both visas require a passport valid at least six months beyond your intended stay.

Health insurance covering COVID‑19 and medical evacuation is mandatory for the digital‑nomad visa.

Extensions must be applied for in‑country at the Department of Immigration before the current visa expires.

Working without a proper work permit can result in fines or deportation.