A month in Sri Lanka

The tourist ETA is valid for 30 days from arrival, with two entries allowed within that period. A stay that goes beyond day 30 needs an extension: for British and US citizens and the western European nationalities on the Department of Immigration and Emigration's list, USD 100 up to day 90.

Rented apartments, rented homes and home stays count as tourist accommodation under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 and must be registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. An apartment in a residential building needs the approval of the condominium management to register. VAT is 18%, and the Tourism Development Levy is charged on the establishment's turnover, not per guest.

No reputable source on monthly rents, deposits or utilities was found, so this guide gives no rent figures.

Colombo suits a month of work in the capital and financial centre. On the south coast, Galle Fort gives a walled heritage town, with Unawatuna about 6 km away and Mirissa about 34 km. Kandy suits a month in the hills with the Temple of the Tooth close by, and the hill country around Nuwara Eliya and Ella the coolest weather in the country. These choices are editorial.

Extensions are made online on the Department of Immigration and Emigration's portal or at its head office in Battaramulla. The Department asks for a return air ticket, the address and telephone number of the place of accommodation, the application with a photograph and a valid passport, and the stay should end at least two months before the passport expires. Extensions come in steps of 60 and then 90 days, up to 270 days from arrival.

Overstaying is costly. Leaving within 7 days of expiry costs the visa fee only; between 7 and 14 days adds a USD 250 penalty, and beyond 14 days USD 500, under Gazette 2337/10 of June 2023.

For much longer stays, the Department lists a Digital Nomad residence visa at USD 500 for a year or part of it.

Airbnb calls a reservation of 28 nights or more a monthly stay. It charges the first month up front and releases it to the host 24 hours after check-in, then charges each later month 10 days in advance, at the price fixed at booking. A long-term cancellation policy applies and generally requires 30 days' notice of changes.

Whatever the platform calls the booking, check that the rental appears on the tourism authority's lists on srilanka.travel.

GetCar's guide gives the temporary licence from the Department of Motor Traffic counter at the airport as LKR 15,000 for one month and LKR 21,000 for up to two (via GetCar). UK travel advice describes the other route, an international driving permit plus a recognition permit from the Automobile Association of Ceylon. For parking, ask the host: no official parking rules outside Colombo were found as of September 2026.

Counting a month as 30 nights inside a 30-day ETA. The ETA runs 30 days from arrival, so a longer stay needs an extension before it ends.

A rental missing from the tourism authority's lists. Registration is a legal requirement for rented apartments, rented homes and home stays.

Comparing prices without VAT and service charges on the total.

A hill-country base in the monsoon without a plan B. Landslips can close roads, according to UK travel advice.

Assuming utilities are included. No reliable source on typical practice was found, so ask before paying.