The DNV is issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration's Residence Visa Division. The official document describes a three-step issuance procedure — submission, evaluation, and approval with the endorsement stamped on your passport — but the real work is assembling a complete document set first, including the Ministry of Digital Economy recommendation. The Department does not publish a fixed processing window; independent trackers report roughly 3–6 weeks, which varies with document completeness and application volume.
Step 1 — Confirm eligibility and income
You must be 18+, working remotely for foreign clients or a foreign employer (or running a business not registered in Sri Lanka), and able to show USD 2,000/month in remitted income (plus USD 500/month for each dependent beyond two). Gather proof of those remittances early — bank statements showing the monthly inflows.
Step 2 — Purchase international health insurance
The visa requires international health insurance that covers medical care in Sri Lanka for the stay. Confirm the policy explicitly names Sri Lanka coverage. Budget $50–150/month depending on age and coverage.
Step 3 — Obtain police and medical clearances
Get a police clearance certificate from your home country or country of residence dated within the last 3 months, and a medical clearance report. Police certificates can take weeks to issue in some countries, so start this early.
Step 4 — Secure the Ministry of Digital Economy recommendation
The immigration checklist requires a recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy. Because it involves a separate ministry, confirm the current channel and lead time directly with the immigration department before finalising your timeline.
Step 5 — Prepare the rest of the file
- Duly filled visa application form and a request letter
- Passport copy (valid at least 6 months) and two passport-sized photos
- Security clearance form
- Marriage certificate (spouse) and birth certificates (dependents), if applying as a family
Step 6 — Submit to the Residence Visa Division
Submit the required documentation to the Department of Immigration and Emigration – Residence Visa Division. The Department is accepting applications for the category through its official channels.
Step 7 — Evaluation
The Department reviews the file for eligibility and compliance. Respond promptly to any request for additional documents; incomplete files are the main cause of delay.
Step 8 — Approval and visa endorsement
Once approved, the visa endorsement is issued on your passport. Pay the fee of USD 500 per year for the main applicant, and USD 500 per year for a spouse and each dependent.
Step 9 — After arrival
- Bank account: DNV holders are entitled to open and maintain personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka — useful for local expenses.
- Housing: the visa permits entering into property rental or lease agreements.
- Notify changes: any change in employment, income, or dependents must be reported to the Department within 30 days.
- Tax registration: required to renew — register with the Inland Revenue Department and keep clean records. See the taxes section.
Step 10 — Renewal
Renew annually with the same document set plus proof of tax registration via the Inland Revenue Department. To leave permanently, the terms ask for 2 months' written notice and notifying authorities 14 working days in advance.
Not sure Sri Lanka is your best fit?
Compare income thresholds and stay lengths across programs with our visa eligibility checker, or read the cheapest digital nomad countries guide to see how Sri Lanka stacks up against Thailand, Indonesia, and Colombia.
Sources
- Digital Nomad Visa Category document — issuance procedure, documents, fees, benefits, renewal, and termination terms; retrieved 2026-07-09
- Residence-visa fee schedule — USD 500/year Digital Nomad fee; retrieved 2026-07-09