Practical Guide to Foreign Employment: SLBFE Registration and Avoiding Scams

Every Sri Lankan departing for overseas employment must register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) prior to departure. This registration is not just a legal requirement; it is your essential safety net against fraud and exploitation.

This comprehensive guide walks you through the mandatory SLBFE registration process and provides vital warnings to help you secure a legitimate job and protect yourself from fraud.

Section 1: The Essential SLBFE Registration

The SLBFE registration provides you with:

• Insurance Cover: Free comprehensive insurance valid for your contract period.
• Welfare Support: Access to the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund and assistance from Sri Lankan embassies abroad.
• Legal Protection: Assurance that your employment contract meets legal and ethical standards.

Registration Fees (Approximate, as of 2024)

• Initial Registration (New): Approximately Rs. 22,027.00 (Applicable when registering for the first time or changing employers/sponsors).
• Renewal Registration: Approximately Rs. 4,599.00 (Applicable when renewing registration for the same employer/sponsor).

Section 2: Your Mandatory Document Checklist

You must prepare the following essential documents before visiting the SLBFE Head Office or Branch Office:

• Passport: Must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of SLBFE registration.
• Valid Visa / Entry Permit: Original visa/work permit copy required.
• Service Agreement: The original employment contract between you and the foreign employer. This is checked by the SLBFE for fairness.
• Professional Proof: For skilled or professional-level jobs, you must submit a **Certificate of Work Experience (min. 6 months)** or relevant Vocational Qualification/Degree Certificates.
• Family Background Report (FBR): MANDATORY for females under 45 traveling for *specific* domestic/unskilled work. This report (a children’s care plan) must be obtained from the Divisional Secretariat Office.

Section 3: Verifying Your Employment Agency (The 1989 Hotline)

One of the greatest risks is dealing with an unlicensed agent. The SLBFE has a stringent licensing system to prevent fraud.

• Use the Hotline: The most reliable way is to call the SLBFE Hotline: 1989 or their main line **(+94)11 2 880 500** to confirm an agent’s license status.
• Online Verification: Check the SLBFE’s official website for a list of currently Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies in Sri Lanka.
• Demand Approval: Every overseas job advertisement must be approved by the SLBFE. If an agent is advertising jobs without visible SLBFE approval, it is a significant red flag.

Section 4: Warning Signs of a Foreign Employment Scam

Be highly suspicious of any job offer that includes the following:

• Upfront Money Requests: NEVER pay money for training, visas, or certifications before your job is confirmed and the agency is verified. Reputable agencies will be transparent about costs.
• Communication via Chat Apps: The entire recruitment process should NOT happen solely through unofficial email domains (Gmail, Yahoo) or messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram). Demand official communication on company letterheads.
• Unrealistically High Salary/Benefits: If the offer seems too good to be true (e.g., extremely high pay for minimal skills), it is likely a scam designed to exploit your ambition.
• No Physical Office / No SLBFE License: If the agency is not on the official SLBFE list, stop all communication immediately and report them to the hotline 1989.

Your diligence is your best defense. By strictly adhering to the SLBFE registration process and remaining vigilant against these red flags, you can ensure your journey to foreign employment is safe, legal, and ultimately rewarding.