More Sri Lankans have left for jobs in Israel this year. However, people planning to work there will face a different recruitment process from January 2027.
According to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), 2,994 workers travelled to Israel between January and November 2026. They found jobs in restaurants, hotels, housekeeping, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Another 261 workers are scheduled to leave on November 18. Of this group, 158 have been selected for restaurant jobs. The remaining 103 will work in hotels, housekeeping, manufacturing and agriculture.
The latest group attended an awareness programme at the SLBFE on November 13. Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe took part in the programme.
So far, 14,349 Sri Lankans have travelled to Israel for jobs through government and private recruitment agencies.
Israel Jobs Will Move to Government Recruitment in 2027
However, the recruitment process is set to change from January 1, 2027.
The Israeli Government has decided to recruit Sri Lankan workers only through a Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangement from that date. Under this system, the two governments will handle recruitment through official agreements.
As a result, the current recruitment programme through licensed private foreign employment agencies will end on December 31, 2026.
The new system will cover construction, industrial, commercial and service jobs. However, authorities have not yet announced the available job numbers, application process or selection rules for 2027.
What People Planning to Work in Israel Should Know?
The SLBFE has warned job seekers not to pay individuals or agencies promising jobs in Israel under the new system. It has also advised applicants not to attend private interviews, skills tests or selection programmes until officials issue further instructions.
Therefore, people planning to work in Israel should follow announcements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and the SLBFE.
The Bureau is working with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel and Israeli authorities on the new arrangements. Until officials publish the application process, job seekers should avoid paying anyone who claims to offer places under the 2027 programme.
For those already preparing to go, the key point is to check the status of their applications through official channels before making further payments or commitments.
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Last modified: November 14, 2026
