Guides for getting paid from Sri Lanka
Each guide is written for people living in Sri Lanka, checked against official sources and dated, so you know how fresh it is.
Getting paid
- How to get Stripe in Sri Lanka, legally
Stripe doesn’t support Sri Lankan businesses. Here’s the legal route through a US LLC, what Stripe checks, real fees in rupees and how to apply.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- PayPal in Sri Lanka: what works in 2026, and what doesn’t
PayPal now pays out to Sampath and ComBank, for personal accounts only. See what works, what’s still coming soon and when a US LLC is the better route.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- Payoneer in Sri Lanka, and when a US LLC is better
How Payoneer works for Sri Lankan freelancers in 2026, withdrawing to eZ Cash or a bank, the sign-up question, and how it compares with Wise and Mercury.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
Banking and moving money
- How to open a Mercury account from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka isn’t on Mercury’s prohibited list. See exactly what Mercury asks for, the address rule that trips people up, fees and how to get money home.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- Wise in Sri Lanka: dollars in, rupees out
How Sri Lankan US LLC owners use Wise to turn dollars into rupees: real fees, transfer limits, how long it takes and when to keep USD instead.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
Law and tax
- Is a US LLC legal for someone living in Sri Lanka?
Yes, with conditions. What US law, the Central Bank’s foreign exchange rules and the IRD expect from a Sri Lankan who owns a US LLC, in plain language.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- Sri Lanka’s 15% tax on dollar income, for US LLC owners
How the 15% cap on service export income works since April 2025, the LKR 1.8 million relief, a worked example, filing dates and what the US expects.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
Setting up
- Wyoming, Montana or Missouri: the best state for a Sri Lankan’s LLC
Compare Wyoming, Montana and Missouri for a Sri Lankan-owned LLC: cost in rupees, yearly fees, speed and what Stripe and Mercury think. Pick in 2 minutes.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
Who it’s for
- A US LLC for Sri Lankan freelancers
When a US LLC helps a Sri Lankan freelancer on Upwork, Fiverr or with direct clients, when it doesn't, and how the money gets home at the lowest cost.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- Selling online from Sri Lanka: Shopify, Stripe and a US LLC
Why Sri Lankan Shopify stores can't take international cards with Shopify Payments or Stripe, how a US LLC changes that, and what to sort out first.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- A US LLC for Sri Lankan SaaS founders and app developers
Subscriptions with Stripe Billing, App Store and Google Play organisation accounts, and US customers who need a US vendor. What a US LLC changes for software.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- A US LLC for Sri Lankan agencies with clients abroad
How Sri Lankan design, development and marketing agencies use a US LLC to sign contracts, take ACH and card payments, and get paid faster by US clients.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026
- Selling on Amazon and Etsy from Sri Lanka
What a US LLC changes for Sri Lankan sellers on Amazon and Etsy: registering as a US business, getting paid to Mercury, and what still needs checking.
Facts checked 4 Nov 2026