By: Staff Writer

October 31, Colombo (LNW): The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Kosala Wickramasinghe, recently disclosed troubling details regarding an unlawful E-8 visa agreement signed with South Korea.

This arrangement, made without required Cabinet approval or official government authorization, was orchestrated by a former Sri Lankan minister, who allegedly entered the deal directly with a provincial governor in Wando Province, South Korea.

Wickramasinghe clarified that no private employment agencies in Sri Lanka are legally permitted to send workers to South Korea under the E-8 visa or to collect any fees associated with it.

He noted that the E-8 visa itself is a short-term, five-month visa, primarily intended for seasonal employment, which could leave workers vulnerable due to the lack of official oversight and government sanction.

According to Wickramasinghe, public confusion around the E-8 visa stems largely from misinformation, which has created an unfounded demand for these unauthorized placements.

“There is currently a debate around the E-8 visa system in Sri Lanka,” Wickramasinghe stated. He highlighted the inherent risks of the five-month limit of the E-8 visa, noting the challenges posed by temporary placements and lack of job security.

 This, he explained, is why no government authorization has ever been granted for E-8 visa arrangements. He further emphasized that no Sri Lankan agencies are authorized to facilitate worker migration under this visa or to collect money for this purpose.

Upon learning about the unauthorized agreement, South Korean officials expressed concerns, warning Sri Lanka against enabling worker placements under the E-8 visa.

Wickramasinghe reiterated that the SLBFE cannot be held accountable for the actions of the former minister, emphasizing that the agreement lacked both South Korean government support and Sri Lankan government approval.

The SLBFE instead champions the E-9 visa as the legitimate and stable option for Sri Lankan workers seeking employment in South Korea.

Unlike the short-term E-8 visa, the E-9 visa permits longer placements of four years and ten months, offering job security and ensuring fair compensation.

Wickramasinghe pointed out that by the end of this year, more than 7,000 Sri Lankan workers are expected to be deployed to South Korea under the E-9 visa, providing them with a stable income and better job prospects.

Wickramasinghe strongly advised job seekers to avoid paying fees for employment opportunities tied to the unauthorized E-8 visa, stressing the risks and urging Sri Lankans to seek employment only through government-approved channels.