The short version
- Sri Lanka has the lower entry bar: €1,840 per month versus €3,955 for Mexico.
- Only Mexico offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
| Criteria | Mexico RT | Sri Lanka DNV |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €3,955 | €1,840 (better) |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 4 years | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Yes (better) | No |
| Path to citizenship | Via permanent residence | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Limited | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Not required | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | — | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €48.50 (better) | ≈ €460 |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate, In country | In country, Online |
| Processing time | 0.2–2 weeks | 1–6 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Mexico RT →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Sri Lanka DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Official gazette DOF 25/07/2025 - Lineamientos Generales para la expedicion de visas (SEGOB/SRE) - Trámite 5: 680/11,460/220 UMA-days, 180-day visa, 10 business days, max 4 years (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette DOF 25/07/2025 - Lineamientos (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette DOF 15/05/2026 (edicion vespertina) - Acuerdo que reforma y adiciona los Lineamientos: new high-specialty route in Trámite 5, remote-work modality in Trámite 10, consulates barred from extra requirements; solvency thresholds unchanged (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government INEGI Comunicado de Prensa 1/26 - UMA 2026: MXN 117.31 daily, effective 1 Feb 2026 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas - Temporary Residence Visa 2026 (USD 4,630 income/6mo, 78,025 balance/12mo, USD 56 fee, family USD 1,498, 1-10 business days; no insurance) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego - Temporary Resident Visa Economic Solvency 2026 (USD 4,510/75,950, remote-work employer letter, USD 56 fee, up to 10 business days; no insurance) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Embassy of Mexico in Spain - Residente temporal por solvencia economica (680/11,460 UMA-days, 180-day visa, 30-day canje, up to 4 years; no insurance mentioned) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government INM - Tarifas de Derechos Migratorios 2026 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government INM FAQ - Expedicion de documento migratorio por canje (1-year card from entry; same-day issuance possible; fee figures in FAQ are outdated and superseded by the 2026 table) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government INM - Cambio de residente temporal a residente permanente (eligible after 4 years as temporary resident; also points system and pensioner routes) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Camara de Diputados - Codigo Fiscal de la Federacion (texto vigente, ultima reforma DOF 09-04-2026), Art. 9: tax residency via casa habitacion / centro de intereses vitales (>50% Mexican-source income or main professional centre) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates, 10 June 2026 (USD 1.1539, MXN 20.1688) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Law firm Clark Hill - Mexico increases government fees effective 1 Jan 2026 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Digital Nomad Visa Category - Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka (official category sheet) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Digital Nomad Visa Category PDF - USD 2,000/month main applicant + USD 500/month per dependent beyond 2; proof of remittance required (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Digital Nomad Visa Category PDF - required International Health Insurance covering Sri Lanka + Medical Clearance Report (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Digital Nomad Visa Category PDF - 1-year duration, USD 500/year fee per person, submission to Residence Visa Division, tax-registration required for extension (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government IRD Notice PN/IT/2025-01 (26.03.2025) - Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 02 of 2025: 15% max tax on service exports & foreign-source income remitted via bank, effective 01.04.2025; exemption removed (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Sri Lanka launched a new digital nomad visa: How to apply (CNBC) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Sri Lanka Unveils Digital Nomad Visa With $2,000 Minimum Monthly Income (IMI Daily) - launch early Feb 2026, online applications, $500/dependent beyond 2 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Sri Lanka Investor Visa & Digital Nomad Visa 2026 (DL&F De Saram, law firm) - duration, fees, renewal tax-registration (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Sri Lanka: 15% Tax on Foreign Income Introduced (HKTDC Research) - effective 1 April 2025, applies to remitted foreign-currency service income; >=15% foreign tax exempt (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Who is liable to pay income tax in Sri Lanka - Resident vs Non-Resident (Taxpro.lk) - 183-day residency rule, worldwide income for residents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Sri Lanka Healthcare System & Medical Insurance Options for Expats (Expat Financial) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15