Working in Sri Lanka for a corporation in the UK

By Mark 28 May 2022

Can I live in Sri Lanka and work remotely for a company in the UK?

Yes, it is possible, however we usually recommend double-checking the following points:

  1. If you are working for a company based in the UK, then you will need to have a valid work visa to enter the UK.
  2. If you are working for a company based in Sri Lanka, then you will need to have a valid work visa to enter Sri Lanka.

How to find remote work in the UK while living in Sri Lanka?

Usually, it is feasible to get remote jobs in the UK even though you are located in Sri Lanka. For that we will have to talk about the visa situation and the process of getting a visa.

The first thing you need to know is that the UK has a visa system that is quite complex. You need to apply for a visa if you want to work in the UK. There are different visa types that you can apply for, depending on your needs.
If you are a citizen of the European Union, you can apply for a Tier 1 visa. If you are a citizen of Australia, you can apply for a Tier 2 visa. If you are a citizen of New Zealand, you can apply for a Tier 4 visa. If you are a citizen of the United States, you can apply for a Tier 5 visa.
If you are a citizen of a country other than the above, you can apply for a Tier 1 visa.

You can apply for a Tier 1 visa if you are looking to work for a company that is based in the UK. This visa type is usually valid for a maximum of three years.
You can apply for a Tier 2 visa if you are looking to work for a company that is based in the UK. This visa type is usually valid for a maximum of five years.

How to get paid in Sri Lanka when working remotely for a corporation in the UK?

You can get paid in Sri Lanka even if you are working for a company in the UK, however , there are some conditions that you need to be aware of.

You can get paid in Sri Lanka even if you are working for a company in the UK, however, there are some conditions that you need to be aware of.
Sri Lanka has a different tax system to the UK. You need to be aware of the tax you need to pay in Sri Lanka.

If you are not aware of the tax you need to pay, you can end up paying more tax than you need to pay.

How to get paid in Sri Lanka when working remotely for a corporation in the UK?
The tax you need to pay in Sri Lanka depends on the kind of work you are doing.
If you are working for a company in the UK, you will need to pay UK corporation tax.
If you are working for a company in Sri Lanka, you will need to pay Sri Lankan corporation tax.
You need to be aware of the tax you need to pay.

How do taxes work in Sri Lanka if I’m working remotely for a company Sri Lanka?

When working remotely in Sri Lanka for a firm based in the UK, taxes might be tricky, therefore you should know how the taxes work in Sri Lanka.

What are the taxes in Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan government levies a tax on the income earned by every individual. The tax is levied on the basis of the individual’s income and the amount of tax is determined by the income earned.