Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa that allows foreign knowledge workers—including large numbers of Indian software engineers and content creators—to live and work on the island for up to 12 months, renewable once. Announcing the decision on 5 February 2026, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said the scheme is designed to tap post-pandemic remote-work trends and to position Sri Lanka as a cost-competitive base in South Asia. Applicants must show a minimum monthly income of USD 2,000, comprehensive health insurance and proof of remote employment or freelance contracts. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
At the same time, Colombo has overhauled its short-stay e-visa, extending the standard tourist authorisation from 30 days to 90 days, with a further 90-day extension available online. Both the digital-nomad and extended tourist visas can be obtained via the Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration Department’s new mobile app, replacing in-person visits to Colombo or airport counters. The reform comes as Indian arrivals—already the island’s largest source market—surged 38 % year-on-year in 2025. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
![Sri Lanka launches Digital Nomad Visa and extends tourist e-visa validity, eyeing Indian remote workers]()
To simplify the paperwork, Indian travellers can lean on facilitators like VisaHQ. The platform’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) guides users through Sri Lanka’s e-visa forms, pre-screens income and insurance proofs, and tracks renewal deadlines—useful peace of mind for freelancers juggling client calls across time zones.
For Indian remote workers, the nomad visa removes a major pain-point: previously they had to exit and re-enter every month or risk overstay penalties. With direct flights from 12 Indian cities and living costs roughly 25 % lower than Bengaluru, analysts expect Colombo, Galle and the surf town of Weligama to become regional co-working hubs. Companies sending staff on “work-from-anywhere” assignments must, however, check permanent-establishment and payroll obligations; under current Sri Lankan law, income earned for a foreign employer remains tax-exempt for the first 183 days but may trigger local filing thereafter. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Travel advisers recommend that digital nomads keep Indian passports valid for at least six months, maintain private medical coverage recognised by Sri Lanka, and monitor data-security protocols because public co-working spaces may not meet corporate IT standards. Families can accompany nomad-visa holders, but spouses require separate dependent passes and children must enrol in international schools. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
At the same time, Colombo has overhauled its short-stay e-visa, extending the standard tourist authorisation from 30 days to 90 days, with a further 90-day extension available online. Both the digital-nomad and extended tourist visas can be obtained via the Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration Department’s new mobile app, replacing in-person visits to Colombo or airport counters. The reform comes as Indian arrivals—already the island’s largest source market—surged 38 % year-on-year in 2025. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
To simplify the paperwork, Indian travellers can lean on facilitators like VisaHQ. The platform’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) guides users through Sri Lanka’s e-visa forms, pre-screens income and insurance proofs, and tracks renewal deadlines—useful peace of mind for freelancers juggling client calls across time zones.
For Indian remote workers, the nomad visa removes a major pain-point: previously they had to exit and re-enter every month or risk overstay penalties. With direct flights from 12 Indian cities and living costs roughly 25 % lower than Bengaluru, analysts expect Colombo, Galle and the surf town of Weligama to become regional co-working hubs. Companies sending staff on “work-from-anywhere” assignments must, however, check permanent-establishment and payroll obligations; under current Sri Lankan law, income earned for a foreign employer remains tax-exempt for the first 183 days but may trigger local filing thereafter. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Travel advisers recommend that digital nomads keep Indian passports valid for at least six months, maintain private medical coverage recognised by Sri Lanka, and monitor data-security protocols because public co-working spaces may not meet corporate IT standards. Families can accompany nomad-visa holders, but spouses require separate dependent passes and children must enrol in international schools. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
