Colombo - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
A spouse may be able to find work at mission, an NGO, or an international school. Those are essentially the only options as local salaries are very low. - Mar 2021
Most expat spouses work at the Embassy. Otherwise, they telecommute to other jobs in the U.S. or volunteer. - Sep 2020
There are quite a few EFM jobs at the Embassy; this is the first post I've been to where supply matches or exceeds demand. Some spouses retain their US-based jobs and telecommute. Local salaries are very low, so the only expats I know who work on the local economy own their own businesses or have expat packages with private sector companies. - Apr 2020
Most spouses are either employed by the embassy or they telecommute. However there is a 10 1/2 hour time difference (give or take an hour depending your home time zone) so that needs to be considered when keeping your job in the states. Local pay is low and I don't know anyone working in the local market. - Sep 2017
There are some EPAP positions at the embassy and other EFM jobs. I think most people who wanted to work were able to find something. There is the opportunity to do a lot of volunteering with church organizations, orphanages, self-help type projects, etc.
There are some NGOs in Sri Lanka and one might be able to find employment with them, but only with prior connections. - Mar 2017
Not really although teachers can find jobs. - Sep 2013
Only with NGOs. Everyone has to have a Permanent Residence Visa, and that has to be either sponsored by a company you work for or requires an investment that now starts at $250,000. - Sep 2012
Most expats I met worked for NGO's or married Sri Lankans and opened restaurants. - Dec 2011
Not really, very difficult to get a work permit. - Feb 2010
Not sure. - Sep 2008
