Sri Lankans who plan to work in Israel will need to wait for a new recruitment system from 2027. Israel has decided to recruit workers only through government-to-government agreements.
The current system allows licensed foreign employment agencies to recruit workers for Israel. However, that system will end on December 31, 2026.
From 2027, the new policy will cover all job sectors. These include construction, industry, commercial work and services.
What Israeli Job Seekers Need to Know
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) does not yet have full details about the new system. For example, officials have not announced how many workers can go to Israel from 2027. They have also not announced how applicants will apply or how the selection process will work.
Therefore, job seekers should be careful about people or agencies offering Israeli jobs under the new system.
The SLBFE has asked applicants not to pay money to individuals or foreign employment agencies that claim they can arrange jobs in Israel.
In addition, applicants should not take part in skills tests, interviews or other selection activities arranged by private parties. They should wait until the SLBFE gives further instructions.
Current Israel Job Recruitment Ends This Year
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has informed the SLBFE about the policy change.
Until December 31, 2026, licensed foreign employment agencies can continue recruiting workers under the current programme.
After that date, the government-to-government system will apply to Israeli jobs.
For anyone planning to work in Israel, the safest step is to wait for official information about the new process. Until then, job seekers should not pay private parties or join unofficial selection programmes.
Last modified: October 29, 2026
