A total of 1,107 Sri Lankan citizens have requested the regularization of their stay in Romania
Cojocariu Eugen, 28.10.2026, 22:22
Some 1,107 Sri Lankan citizens filed applications to regularize their stay in Romania, between April 26 and June 29, 2026, stated Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, quoting information received by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bucharest. The Sri Lankan official paid a visit to Romania between October 21 and 26, for bilateral political consultations and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group on Labour Cooperation.
During his visit, Hemachandra noted that Sri Lankan authorities discussed with their Romanian counterparts the situation of citizens facing immigration difficulties, often due to recruitment intermediaries who engage in unethical practices. “Our government considers the protection of migrant workers a fundamental responsibility, not merely an administrative function”, the official stated, adding that Sri Lanka maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and unethical recruitment. A direct verification mechanism between the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Embassy of Romania in Colombo allows for the vetting of recruitment agencies and job offers before workers depart the country. Hemachandra emphasized the need for transparent contracts, adherence to agreed-upon wages, and effective grievance mechanisms.
The meeting of the Sri Lanka-Romania Joint Working Group on Labour Cooperation focused on worker protection, language and vocational training, fair working conditions, and cooperation between the authorities of the two countries. “Safe migration is not merely about controlling cross-border movement, it is about protecting people”, the official stated. An information program for individuals intending to work in Romania began on September 30, 2026, and Sri Lankan authorities are exploring the possibility of introducing basic courses in Romanian and English.
Arun Hemachandra stated that, according to data provided by Romanian authorities, 28,304 Sri Lankan citizens are currently working in Romania. He noted that their earnings support their families back home, covering essential needs like children’s education and housing, while remittances contribute to Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves. “Our goal is not simply to send more workers abroad. It is to ensure that Sri Lankans have access to decent jobs, fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities to develop their skills”, Hemachandra said.
According to him, on October 7, 2026, 6,630 job seekers were registered on the online job portal and had expressed interest in moving to Romania. The official highlighted employment opportunities in engineering, IT, healthcare, and technical services. During the bilateral consultations, discussions also focused on the recognition of Sri Lankan professional qualifications and driver’s licenses, the possibility of establishing government-to-government recruitment mechanisms, social security and the portability of pension rights.
