Added
created. Extension-only professional residence, USD 2,000 a month plus USD 1,000 a month per dependant, fee USD 200 a year (immigration.gov.lk).
LK
Sri Lanka Resident Guest Scheme (Professional)
Suspended
Special
Sri Lanka · Economic · apply in country
Minimum income
$2,000/mo
per month
Stay
60
months, renewable
Application fee
$200
Tax
15.0%
Bank-remitted foreign-currency income, 15% maximum
Path to staying
- Residence permit60 months
- Renewrenewable
- Permanent residency
- Citizenship
- Dual citizenship allowed
Overview
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Program
- Sri Lanka Resident Guest Scheme (Professional)
- Type
- Economic
- Status
- Suspended
- Initial duration
- 60 months
- Renewable
- Yes
Extension-only professional residence under the Resident Guest Scheme. An existing holder must remit at least USD 2,000 a month for living expenses, and USD 1,000 a month for each dependant, and must show professional qualifications and a project. New applicants are not accepted. The investor category is a separate record.
Financial requirements
- Income requirement
- $2,000/mo
- Application fee
- $200
Eligibility
- Criminal record check required
- Health check required
- Health insurance not required
Work rights
- Employment not allowed
- Self-employment allowed
- Own a business not allowed
- Work permit included no
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
- Spouse included
- Yes
- Parents allowed
- No
- Extra per dependent
- $1,000
Benefits and mobility
- Bank account can open
- Property purchase allowed
- Public healthcare no access
Tax
- Tax regime
- Special
- Tax rate
- 15.0%
- Regime name
- Bank-remitted foreign-currency income, 15% maximum
- Foreign income taxed
- Yes
- Capital gains taxed
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- in country
- Apply from abroad
- No
Notes
The department says the scheme is issued only to people who already hold the visa. The professional file asks for proof of education, professional and work experience in Sri Lanka and abroad, a progress report on the project, commendations or awards, an IOM medical report, and a police clearance. The remittance must reach a special bank account. The fee is USD 200 per person for one year. The page says the visa is valid for five years from the issue date. There is no capital deposit on this category. Paid employment with a local employer is not stated. The category is for the holder's professional service. Ending that service needs two months' written notice, and a permanent departure needs 14 working days' notice. Holders must comply with Sri Lankan tax law. This category is not the Investor Category Residence Visa, so the non-residence rule does not apply. A resident's foreign-currency income remitted through a bank is capped at 15% from 1 April 2025. The monthly figures are published in US dollars. The annual figure is twelve times USD 2,000.
Also in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source