With the recent development in digital technology, many people dream about becoming a digital nomad. Since they have location-independent jobs, it is possible to work virtually anywhere in the world. At the moment, this is one of the most popular trends in the world. Usually, digital nomads choose places with beautiful nature to escape the stress of city life. Digital nomads in Sri Lanka can get the benefit of the scenic beauty of this small island where you don’t need to move far for a different scenery.
Sri Lanka is emerging fast as one of the best digital nomad hubs in the world. It is included among the 20 best countries for digital nomads as for the VisaGuide. It is second in Club Med’s index of the best places and countries around the world to become a digital nomad. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is ranked first in cheapest destinations for digital nomads, among the 50 countries offering this visa. Sri Lanka stands out as the best value for money, boasting an average monthly living cost of USD 624.
This is our ultimate guide about how to become a digital nomad in Sri Lanka. Here you can find out all the details about getting a digital nomad visa and finding coworking spaces with the best facilities.
How to get Digital Nomad visa
As of December 2023, Sri Lanka has approved the Digital Nomad visa for tourists. If you are a travel blogger, online entrepreneur, freelancer, or any other remote worker looking for a new lifestyle, this is the best time for you to visit Sri Lanka.
To be eligible for the digital nomad visa, applicants need to have a minimum monthly income of USD 2,000, which should be channeled through the Sri Lankan banking system. Applicants need to pay USD 500 as the application fee and it will cover the visa holder’s spouse and dependents. The visa holder will also be eligible to renew it every year once they show the minimum bank balance required. Thus, this is a perfect chance for remote workers and global talents.
Current visa states for digital nomads
Although Sri Lanka announced the digital nomad visa in December 2023, this visa has yet to be launched. Currently, digital nomads who want to work in Sri Lanka can apply for a 30-day Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) online.
If you want to stay longer than 30 days, Sri Lanka offers different tourist visa extensions that digital nomads can access. The types of visa extensions include 30 – 90 days, 90 – 180 days, and 180 – 270 days extensions.
Currently, a free visa regime is implemented for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Under this pilot program, visas will be granted free of charge for all nationals of these countries until 31.03.2024.
Benefits for digital nomads
There are multiple benefits of working as a digital nomad in Sri Lanka. The best one is the tax exemption. According to Sri Lanka’s tax system, non-residents aren’t liable for taxes if their income isn’t derived from Sri Lanka. Thus, digital nomads aren’t considered tax residents and you won’t be charged any income tax.
With lush jungles, charming beaches, ancient Buddhist temples, and gorgeous photogenic spots, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer to digital nomads. Certainly, you’ll never get tired of living and working here as a digital nomad.
With delicious spicy food that explodes with flavor and mouthwatering street food which are cheaper than anywhere else in the world, you are going to enjoy life in Sri Lanka. Moreover, there are so many accommodation options and friendly locals that will make your digital nomad life quite interesting.
Coworking spaces for digital nomads
Since the number of remote workers is increasing each year, the digital nomad community is rapidly growing on the island. Currently, Sri Lanka has a lot of coworking spaces and they’re cheaper than anywhere else in the world. These coworking spaces are located along the southern coast as well as in the capital city of Colombo.
The most important feature for digital nomads is the internet connectivity and speed. Unlike a lot of cafes and hotels, the coworking spaces in Sri Lanka offer everything you need for an optimal working environment with fast and reliable Wi-Fi. These coworking spaces offer internet packages such as for 1 day, 7 days or 1 month passes. You can check their prices and select the best data plan for you.
If you prefer to stay in a hostel room with like-minded fellow travelers, the room charge includes access to the coworking space. Remember that there are excellent hotel offers and discounts during the low season (May-October).
Coworking spaces in Colombo
Colombo is the most popular digital nomad hub in Sri Lanka with a vibrant street food scene and cheap accommodations. Most of the co-working spaces are located in high-rise buildings to give the feeling of a lively office environment. In these coworking spaces, you’ll meet a lot of digital nomads who come from all corners of the world.
WORX
WORX is one of the most popular coworking spaces in Colombo. There are a number of beautiful and functional office spaces that are beneficial for ideas to thrive. The community of entrepreneurs, startups, and company people use this office environment that is inspiring and dynamic. They have 3 coworking spaces in Jawatte, Nawala, and Havelock Town in Colombo.
Likuid Spaces
Likuid Spaces is the first exclusive coworking space in Shangri-La’s One Galle Face Tower in Colombo. They offer the largest coworking space on one floor in Sri Lanka since 2014. These technology-driven workspaces in Colombo’s business center bring the international-level digital nomad experience to Sri Lanka.
HomeTree
HomeTree is a coworking space located in Colombo with a great view of the Indian Ocean. It’s a place where you can grab a cup of coffee and get to work at your own pace. You can enjoy several facilities including private offices, fixed desk packages, hot desks, remote working packages, as well as meeting rooms and event spaces.
Hub9
Hub9 is one of the most popular coworking spaces in Colombo. There are 2 branches of Hub9 in Colombo5. It is a perfect place for you to enjoy a creative community where innovation and collaboration happen. It is a wonderful space that brings your ideas to life. There is a meeting room, hot desks, and private offices. A number of facilities are supplied free of charge, including printing, Wi-Fi, kitchen, mailbox, and coffee.
THE OFFICE
THE OFFICE is a great coworking space in the heart of Colombo city, at Cambridge Terrace, Colombo 07. This is a perfect and quality workspace offering an ideal working environment. It is carefully designed to support and inspire creators, innovators, and digital nomads. It provides first-class amenities and services that cater to your exact business needs.
Coworking spaces on the southern coast
Renowned for its spectacular beaches, laid-back culture, and excellent beach restaurants with tasty seafood, the southern coast offers a unique experience for digital nomads. There are a large number of coworking spaces which are situated on the beach along the coast. Mostly, these spaces are available around the Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Hiriketiya, and Ahangama areas. It provides a peaceful and inspiring environment for remote workers.
Clics Co-Living
Clics Co-Living is a small boutique hostel and coworking space located in a calm and leafy green garden just behind Hiriketiya Beach. They have a fully air-conditioned indoor coworking space, with lots of outdoor seating if you prefer to work outside.
Dots Bay House
Dots Bay House is the most popular spot in Hiriketiya for digital nomads. Not only there are a number of popular restaurants and party spots in town but they also have lively and vibrant coworking spaces.
Voulez-Vous
Voulez-Vous is one of the lesser-known coworking spaces in Hiriketiya but has everything you could want and need as a digital nomad in Sri Lanka. The coworking space is on the 1st floor and it lets you work comfortably while having a sumptuous view of the palm-fringed coast in Dikwella Beach,
Verse Collective
Verse Collective is also a small boutique hostel and coworking space located opposite Dickwella Beach which is a short walk from Hiriketiya Bay. It is among one of the favourite coworking spaces among tourists.
Outpost Weligama
Outpost Weligama is probably the most well-established and developed out of all the coworking spaces on the South Coast. This coworking space has been originated in Bali and has 3 locations on the Indonesian island. while staying at Outpost, you can surf, work & make friends. Live by the beach within a community of surfers, nomads, travelers, and entrepreneurs and wake up to ocean views.
Hari Hari House
Hari Hari House is a modern workspace on the beachfront in Ahangama. Members will enjoy a bright open workspace, with Fibre Optic Internet and sea view desks. There are secure storages, showers, lockers, and a space to change. Steps lead straight to the waves making surf quick and easy.
To sum up, Sri Lanka is becoming one of the best digital nomad hubs in the world with the newly introduced digital nomad visa. Here we have provided all the information available about the Sri Lankan digital nomad visa as of December 2023. We will update this page as more information is revealed. We hope you’ll use this chance and enjoy the given benefits while remotely working in Sri Lanka. Hurry up guys, there is no time for waiting. Select Sri Lanka as your next digital nomad destination.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Unsplash, booking.com, and each official website. All copyrights are reserved by original authors.
