Sri Lanka has set an ambitious goal to send 1,000 caregiving professionals to Israel in 2026, building on a bilateral employment agreement that has already placed more than 2,600 Sri Lankan workers in the Middle Eastern country. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced the plan as part of ongoing efforts to expand overseas job opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens.
The initiative reflects growing labour ties between the two nations, following the successful placement of 2,656 Sri Lankan caregivers under the existing agreement. Within just the first two weeks of 2026, 107 caregivers had already departed for Israel, signaling strong demand and an accelerating recruitment pace.
Eligible candidates must be between 25 and 45 years old and have completed the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination. Prospective workers must also hold an NVQ Level III certificate in caregiving issued by the SLBFE or a registered institute, or demonstrate at least 11 months of nursing experience. Strong English language skills are required, and candidates who complete the SLBFE’s English course become eligible to apply.
Successful recruits receive a five-year visa and have the potential to earn monthly salaries exceeding Rs. 600,000, a significant wage for Sri Lankan workers. The SLBFE emphasized that these placements are strictly managed by the bureau in coordination with Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), and warned the public against using private agencies or middlemen.
The bureau reiterated that no private entities have the authority to arrange these caregiving positions and urged applicants to avoid giving money or passports to external parties. This warning comes amid growing concerns about exploitation and fraud in international labour recruitment, particularly in sectors involving overseas caregiving and domestic work.
