Work and income
Tech salaries next to the visa route that actually gets you there.
AbroadMaster research from published salary surveys and official visa pagesVerified August 2026
The other large stream out of Sri Lanka, and the one with the most visa routes deliberately built to attract it. Several of these need no local job offer to start.
CHF 110,000 to 140,000
Typical mid-level developer salary
Highest tech pay in the world, and quota-limited work permits
USD 120,000 to 170,000
Typical mid-level developer salary
H-1B is a lottery, so most Sri Lankans arrive via study first
EUR 60,000 to 80,000
Typical mid-level developer salary
Highly Skilled Migrant route plus the 30 percent tax ruling
| Rank | Country | Typical mid-level developer salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | GermanyEU Blue Card threshold is lower for IT shortage roles | EUR 60,000 to 78,000 | EU Blue Card threshold is lower for IT shortage roles |
| 5th place | CanadaGlobal Talent Stream can issue a work permit in about two weeks | CAD 90,000 to 120,000 | Global Talent Stream can issue a work permit in about two weeks |
| 6th place | AUD 95,000 to 130,000 | ||
| 7th place | IrelandCritical Skills permit, and family can join immediately | EUR 55,000 to 75,000 | Critical Skills permit, and family can join immediately |
| 8th place | United KingdomGlobal Talent visa needs no job offer if you can evidence the record | GBP 50,000 to 70,000 | Global Talent visa needs no job offer if you can evidence the record |
| 9th place | SingaporeEmployment Pass, and the closest major tech hub to Sri Lanka | SGD 84,000 to 120,000 | Employment Pass, and the closest major tech hub to Sri Lanka |
| 10th place | United Arab EmiratesTax free, and the Golden Visa covers senior specialists | USD 45,000 to 75,000 | Tax free, and the Golden Visa covers senior specialists |
AbroadMaster research from published salary surveys and official visa pages
Verified August 2026
Compiled by AbroadMaster from the official pages of each country named above. There is no single published index behind this list, and we are not claiming one.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and figures change without notice. Confirm anything you plan to act on with the official authority for that country, and check your own position with the eligibility checker.
Average annual pay, adjusted so the figures are actually comparable.
Careers, finances, healthcare and settling in, rated by people who actually moved.
Statutory leave, paid sick days, maternity cover and average hours worked.
