• Only qualified candidates will be considered for visa

While Cabinet of Ministers approval has been granted to offer foreign employment opportunities in South Korea under the E-8 visa category, these opportunities will be managed exclusively by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), said its Chairperson Kosala Wickramasinghe.

He further emphasised that no other individual or foreign employment agency is authorised to offer employment opportunities under the E-8 visa category and therefore urged the public to refrain from providing money to such individuals or agencies.

Speaking further on this matter yesterday (25), he stated: “The newest visa category introduced for job opportunities in South Korea is the E-8 visa. However, this category is not open to everyone. We only send qualified individuals with proper agricultural knowledge. Young people are selected for jobs under the E-8 visa category solely through the SLBFE.”

He also added: “No permission has been granted for any third party or foreign employment agency to charge any fees. Only the SLBFE is authorised to send workers under this visa category. Therefore, don’t fall victim to intermediaries. Don’t give money to anyone.”

He further emphasised that the Government intends to offer job opportunities in South Korea with minimal fees, similar to other South Korean job programmes. He warned that if private agencies were allowed to intervene, they would charge excessively high fees from job seekers.

He continued stating: “We had to halt this program in the past due to malpractice and money laundering. However, we are working to reactivate it by following the proper procedures. We hope that Sri Lankan youth will soon benefit from these job opportunities. These are our country’s children who travel abroad to earn a living and secure a better future for their families.”

Additionally, he said that guidelines for recruitment under this visa category will be prepared in the future and that job seekers will be informed through the media about the recruitment process and the qualifications required.