Expats in Sri Lanka: community, cost of living and visa route

Numbers are not this page. Cost of living and climate in Sri Lanka and tax in Sri Lanka live on the country pages. This page is about the people.

Where expats land in Sri Lanka

The cities members pick, and who ends up in each one.

Expats in Colombo

Expats in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

Expats in Maharagama

How expats get residency in Sri Lanka

Pick the route. Resident Guest Scheme if you live off savings, a pension or income from abroad. The other routes are on the Sri Lanka country page.
Apply from home or after you land, depending on the route and your passport. The official source for each route is linked on the Sri Lanka country page.
Then the local admin: tax number, address registration, healthcare, tax residency in year one.

Not sure Sri Lanka is the one? Take the 2-minute quiz · Compare Sri Lanka with another country

Moving to Sri Lanka?

Put your name in the list so the people already there, and the ones arriving the same month as you, can find you.

Expats in Sri Lanka: common questions

Is it free?

Yes. Members pay nothing. Some firms in the directory have a commercial relationship with MyNomadWorld.

Who sees my details?

Other members see your first name, where you are from, your city, your plans and what you do. Your email is never shown to anyone.

I have not moved yet. Can I join?

That is half the group. Pick "moving in the next 3 months" or "still deciding" when you sign up.

General information, not tax or legal advice. Figures come from the public sources named on each page. Rules change and depend on your situation, so talk to a lawyer or tax adviser in that country before you move.