Sri Lanka
LKASri Lanka is a South Asian island nation recovering from the 2022 sovereign debt crisis. Long-stay residency for non-citizens includes the Golden Paradise Visa (10-year for $75,000+ deposit) introduced 2024, the My Dream Home Visa (residential property purchase), retirement visa, and skilled-employment visa. Sri Lanka permits dual citizenship via reacquisition for former Sri Lankans (large UK / Canadian / Australian / Middle Eastern Tamil and Sinhalese diasporas). Tax residency triggers at 183 days; resident individuals pay progressive rates up to 36%.
Passport Rank
#96
Visa-Free
41
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- Languages
- Sinhala, Tamil, English
- Population
- 22,040,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon
- English Proficiency Rank
- #53
Indices
Cost of Living
35
Safety
65
Healthcare
60
Quality of Life
110
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
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| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo | $380 | $250 | $200 | $60 | $12 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 10
- Language Test
- Yes (Sinhala or Tamil)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $350
- Processing
- ~24 months
International Schools
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| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas School of Colombo | Colombo | IB | $12,000–$22,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
35 Mbps median
30% fibre coverage
eSIM: Dialog Axiata, Mobitel, Hutch
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- —
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common