Getting help with living in Sri Lanka
Help from the Sri Lankan government
For any questions about moving to or living in Sri Lanka, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British High Commission in Colombo cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Sri Lanka.
Professional help in Sri Lanka
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Sri Lanka, including:
- lawyers
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Sri Lanka to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Sri Lanka. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Sri Lanka before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which Sri Lankan visa you need to live in Sri Lanka. Read the Sri Lankan government’s guidance on residence visas.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire
- live with family in Sri Lanka
- invest or do business in Sri Lanka
- volunteer
- do religious or charity work
If you want to extend your visa:
Permanent residency
The Sri Lankan authorities no longer accept new applications for permanent residency.
If you already have a Dream Home or Resident guest scheme visa, when it expires you should renew it at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Citizenship
Sri Lanka only recognises dual citizenship in some cases. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Sri Lankan citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Sri Lankan citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British High Commission in Colombo cannot help with Sri Lankan visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Sri Lanka
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Sri Lanka does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Sri Lankan or international providers.
As a resident in Sri Lanka, you can also access healthcare through the Sri Lankan public healthcare system. You will need to pay cash for any treatment and medicines in government and semi-government hospitals.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Working in Sri Lanka
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Sri Lanka you need an appropriate residence visa.
The Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration explains the different residence visas available to you.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Sri Lanka, you may need to get your British qualifications recognised.
If you got your qualifications outside the UK, you will need to ask the relevant embassy how to get them recognised in Sri Lanka.
Driving in Sri Lanka
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You must exchange your UK driving licence for a Sri Lankan driving licence or temporary driving licence. Read guidance on conversion of foreign driving licences in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Department of Motor Traffic provides information on driving in Sri Lanka, including how to:
Read more about road travel in Sri Lanka in the safety and security section of our travel advice for Sri Lanka.
Disabled drivers
Contact the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities for information for disabled drivers in Sri Lanka.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Sri Lanka, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Sri Lanka so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact your local office of the Sri Lankan Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Sri Lanka. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Sri Lanka.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Sri Lankan pension
Only Sri Lankan citizens can claim a Sri Lankan state pension. There is a separate pension scheme for foreign workers (PDF, 2.9MB).
If you have worked and made pension contributions in Sri Lanka, when you retire you may be able to claim a lump sum from:
Contact your employer for more information.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Sri Lankan benefits
Only Sri Lankan citizens are eligible to claim Sri Lankan benefits.
Buying and renting property in Sri Lanka
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Generally, foreign nationals cannot own land in Sri Lanka. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Sri Lanka if you’re considering buying property or land.
Property disputes
Disputes over property ownership are common in Sri Lanka.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Sri Lanka if you’re involved in a property dispute.
The British High Commission cannot help in property disputes. Consular staff are not legally trained and cannot give legal advice.
If you’re concerned for your safety, contact the police.
Voting in Sri Lanka
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Sri Lankan elections
You cannot vote in Sri Lankan elections unless you hold Sri Lankan citizenship.
Studying in Sri Lanka
If you plan to study in Sri Lanka, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Read the Sri Lankan government’s guidance on residence visas.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
Most schools in Sri Lanka come under the provincial Departments of Education.
All children aged 5 to 14 must attend school or home school in Sri Lanka.
Childcare
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is responsible for early childhood education and care in Sri Lanka. Services are delivered by the provincial and local governments.
Most expats use private nurseries or childminders.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Sri Lanka, register the birth with the Sri Lankan authorities. You can do this at your Divisional Secretariat’s Registrar of Births and Deaths. Hospitals can provide guidance on registering births.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Sri Lanka, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Sri Lanka. For information about LGBT+ rights in Sri Lanka, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Sri Lanka.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Sri Lanka.
Documents for British people in Sri Lanka
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers and other professionals
To find an English-speaking lawyer or other professional in Sri Lanka, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Sri Lanka, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Sri Lankan authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
