Sri Lanka marked a historic milestone today (26 February 2026) with the ceremonial issuance of the first Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) and the official welcome of Ms. Darya Gordiyenko, the first Digital Nomad Visa holder, and her spouse, Mr. Yaroslav Kovalchuk, to the island. The event, organized 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 Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to H.E the President on Digital Economy, Mr. Chamila Jayarathna, Deputy Managing Director , SLTPB , Mr . Saakya Ukwatte, Managing Director , Mt. Lavinia Hotel, and Board Member , SLTPB, Ms . Nayana E Senarathna, Controller (Visa ) of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, along with officials from SLTPB and ICTA.

Cabinet approval for the Digital Nomad Visa was granted in 2023. However, despite the approval, the programme remained inactive for a considerable period. Recognizing 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 operationalize and reactivate the Digital Nomad Visa initiative in close collaboration with relevant institutions.

To drive this initiative forward, SLTPB appointed a dedicated Digital Nomad Tourism Advisory Committee comprising Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTPB; Mr. D M S A Niroshana, Managing Director of SLTPB; Mr. Darshana Charith Kaluthanthri, Deputy Director – Design & Marketing Officer (Digital Nomads Tourism), SLTPB; Mr. Saakya Ukwatte, Board Member of SLTPB and Managing Director of Mount Lavinia Hotel; Ms. Gayangi Wirasinha, Board Member of SLTPB and Managing Director of Abercrombie & Kent (Pvt) Ltd; Mr. Heminda Jayaweera, Executive Director of Trace Sri Lanka; Ms. Chiranthi Balapatabendi, Director – Technology Industry Development at ICTA; and Mr. Charith Kandamulla, Specialist Visa Officer at ICTA.

The Committee engaged in several productive discussions with Mr. Chaminda Pathiraja, Controller General (Acting) of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Ms. Nayana E. Senarathna, Controller (Visa) of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and Ms. Pinithi Minsara of the Department of Immigration and Emigration also actively contributed to these deliberations. During these discussions with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Mr. Nuwan Jayaweera, Senior Assistant Director of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, together with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, participated alongside representatives of SLTPB and ICTA to ensure that regulatory, financial, and security considerations were comprehensively addressed. The initiative further benefited from the guidance and institutional support extended by the Ministry of Defence in strengthening the necessary security-related frameworks.

Through these coordinated inter-agency efforts, SLTPB identified the key challenges that had previously hindered the effective issuance of the Digital Nomad Visa 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 Digital Nomad Visa was officially reactivated on 14 February 2026. The visa application process is now fully operational through the official platform of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

The issuance of the first Digital Nomad Visa 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, SLTPB will implement the 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 utilize 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 eligibility criteria and application requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa can be obtained by visiting the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

For more information, please visit:
Department of Immigration and Emigration – Digital Nomad Visa
Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Programme

Posing for a photo With the Digital Nomad Visa

Participants at the head table

Much impressed with the warm and traditional welcome

Ms. Nayana . E. Senarathne , Controller (Visa)Department of Emmigration and Imigration , expressing her thoughts

Ms .Darya Gordiyenko and her spouse , Mr. Yaroslav Kovalchuk

Group photo with the officials and the visitors

Escorting the guests to the Silk Route Lounge

Eng.Hon. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy , Eranga Weeraratne addressing the gathering

Eng. Hon. deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne and Deputy Managing Director , Mr. Chamila Jayaratne among the distinguished guests

Eng . Deputy Minister of Digital Economy , Eranga Weeraratne and Deputy Managing Director SLTPB , Mr. Chamila Jayaratne among the distinguished guests

Dr. Hans Wijesuriya speaking at the event

Deputy Managing Director , SLTPB

Deputy Managing Director , SLTPB , Mr . Chamila Jayaratne addressing the gathering

Being welcomed with a traditional dance troupe

Being welcomed with a flower bouquet

Being handed over the first official Digital Nomad Visa

Being handed over a souvenier by Eng .Hon . Deputy Minister of Digital Economy , Eranga Weeraratne