Sorry to hear that. Where do you think you'd go if it turns out you can't stay, out of interest?
Literally trying to figure that out now. Ehhh, many nomads have less stability - 3 months here, 3 months there. I somehow managed to live here 2 years almost with short visa runs that basically looked like going on (mandatory) vacation 2 times a year. I rented smaller, older place for a year, then got newly built house for this year. So basically had a relatively normal life during this time. Oh right, I'd have to inform my landlord that I break the lease if I don't manage to figure it out
. It's sad because it was a great service, he's really hardworking and house is beautiful, I think he wanted to continue for another year and maybe more years, he looked for long term tenant
. Lease ends in February, I think? And I have to leave in December? Ahhh. Would have to work on visa documents for new place, moving everything... Still, I can figure shit out in 2 months. Idk what these people that got sudden denials will do, technically they should leave right away, no time to organize moving company even
. Or if they stay they'll pay a fine for overstaying and get denial of re-entry for next 5 years
.
I feel sad because I liked the lifestyle but at the same time I'm angry because I didn't manage to incorporate here, get bank account, etc - there's just no right infrastructure to run a business. I think they prefer Investment Visas but I'll be honest with you - if I had that much I would not invest. Too many scams, if they can't stop themselves from stealing toothpicks how do they expect someone to give them tons of money? No way in hell, I wouldn't invest even if I could afford it. Wasn't dangerous here during my stay (honestly it was safer than my home country), normally they're not aggressive. But they're scammy, no way in hell I'm investing in that. Running a business and paying some tax (I already pay visas, I buy a lot of stuff locally and pay VAT on it) for long term residency purpose is fine but I didn't manage to incorporate. What a bureaucracy
.
So very mixed feelings since a lot of locals were FANTASTIC and treated us so well, we befriended people in both neighbourhoods, talked with our closest neighbour, we're such buds now that she started crying
. I talked with some rich white dude that lives here for 20 years (investment visa, I think he runs a bar or a hotel), is married to a Sri Lankan and has mixed kids, he'll be talking with politicians soon since they are discussing immigrants problem
. Idk guys... Mixed feelings. I do feel scammed in a way because they lied and never gave resident visas to online entrepreneurs. To be fair, I can work online from anywhere and since government changed in Sri Lanka also taxes went up but infrastructure is still shit. Taxes went up for everyone, locals too. I see some Latin America countries have easier immigration and long tax breaks. In these countries I'd already have some form of residency, at least temporary ID card... And here? Immigration guy looks at us weird and contemplates whether kick us out right away or in 2 months
. Wtf you look at us weird? Obviously I'm not working offline, I don't want to earn in rupees. You invited us, info about that supposed nomad visa that never activated was all over the place. I spend money here (and a lot by local standards, they love me at shops at this point) and government treats me like shit... I'll be honest with you, I'd like easier incorporation, banking and immigration procedures. Even some nearby asian countries have multiple visa offices per country and in Sri Lanka I always have to spend half the day on the road because there's only one visa office for whole country, no branches
. Fuck, even something like Nepal has multiple branches, Philippines same. What's wrong with Sri Lanka? I like the locals and their (friendly) temperament, weather, prices, nature... But the government??? Jeeez. I actually tried to solve this during the first year we arrived but no go.
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