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Overview of Business and Work Visas & Permits to Israel

ORI Specializes in obtaining work visas to Israel. Over the years we have issued hundreds of assignees with the required work permits to complete their assignment safely and successfully . Our experts and lawyers can advise you on the most suitable and cost effective options for your mission.

In recent years, the Israeli immigration authorities have invested heavily in computerized and centralized enforcement checkpoints, and each entry and exit to the country is logged and checked. Frequent or lengthy visits are likely to raise red flags and lead to questioning at the airport.

Should an assignee’s stay be considered as working without a valid work permit, he is likely to be deported, and the company may face legal and financial actions.

According to the applicable Israeli law, foreign employees may not work in Israel unless they have obtained a valid work visa (B-1 Visa) stamped on the employee’s passport. We recommend that a work permit application submitted to the Israeli Ministry of Interior (MOI), subject to the terms and conditions set below, prior to the employees’ arrival to Israel, in order to enable the stamp on their passports with the work visa, soon after their arrival.

The available work visas to Israel are:

1. SEA B1 – 30-day Short Employment Authorization (SEA) –

• Allows for a maximum of 30 days (consecutive) work days in a year.
• Intended for countries that are free of entry visa requirement.
• Processing is done within 6 days. Minimal requirements.
• Low Government fees.
• No extension or change of visa status (i.e. 12 month work permit) is allowed within 12 months of expiry.

2. STEP B1 – 90-day Short Term Expedited Process (STEP) program –

• Allows for a maximum of 90 (calendar) work days
• Intended primarily for short term installations, technicians etc.
• Process requires company application with multiple documents
• Actual work period available will be less than 3 months (typically 2 to 2.5 months).
• Average processing of 2-3 months
• No salary requirements.
• Reduced government fees.
• No extension or change of visa status (i.e. 12 month work permit) is allowed within 12 months of expiry.

3. 12+ months B1 work permit –

• Process requires company application with multiple documents
• Average processing of 2-3 months
• Assignee must hold the relevant expertise or very high ranking position.
• Minimum salary requirement – twice the average monthly pay in Israel (18,520 ~ILS)
• Can be extended up to 5 years:

Renewal process will depended on the Work permit validity –

1. If the Work permit is still valid (i.e. 2 year work permits) only visa application will be required (pick up of passports, basic applicant forms), 2 weeks.
2. If the work permit is expected to expire, renewal process should begin 5-6 months before expiry date
3. (1-2 months – Lead time) Collection of all required documents from applicant and company
4. (2-3 months) Submission of extension application, ideally 3 months prior to expiry.
5. (1-2 weeks) Once extension is approved and issued – collection of passports and visa applications.

Work visas can be extended up to 5 years*, at the discretion of the Ministry of Interior permits committee.

*extensions beyond 5 years will require a special request and justify unique circumstances.

Dependents

Dependent immigration status approval depends on the immigration status of the principal applicant. Where the principal applicant is in Israel under the immigration category Work visa, the following rules apply for dependents:

• Minimum age (spouses): No minimum age, yet under 18 likely to require further review.
• Maximum age (children): 0
• Unmarried partners: Will require review by the Ministry of Interior. Additional proof will be required (proof of partnership, letters, certificates etc.)
• Same sex partners: Will require review by the Ministry of Interior. Additional proof will be required (proof of partnership, letters, certificates etc.)
• Non-traditional dependents (e.g. parents): Not allowed. Can apply for regular B2 (tourist) visas.
• Work authorization granted? The Dependents visa will be granted to the same valid dates of the principal applicant’s work visa.

Business Visitors

• Name of visa granted: B2 (typically 30 days, single entry for ‘entry visa required’ countries, up to 3 months, multiple entry for others) or B1 SEA (30 days)
• Duration of stay: 30 days to 3 months.
• General activities permitted: B1 SEA – Employment. B2 – Business meetings.

Change of Status

Is it possible? Yes but depending on the limitations per each specific visa category. Generally if approved, it will require the assignee to exit and renter via an Israeli consulate/embassy in his home country.

Salary and Payroll

Salary and payroll requirements vary depending on the immigration category and on the specifics of the case. In Israel, there are minimum salary requirements in place. Additionally, payroll location will affect the immigration process.  – Correct. For the regular B1 (12+) a minimum salary of twice the average market salary in Israel is required (updated from time to time, current sum is a minimum of 18,520 ILS per month or above. Can include extras such as bonus, grants, per diem etc, but not payments for overtime or shifts work).

Qualifications

Qualification requirements will vary from case to case and will depend on the immigration category under which the application is made. However, in general, the immigration authorities do expect to see LEVEL OF DEGREE. In some situations, a strong case may be made for applicants without a degree provided their level of experience and industry specific qualification is high. – Correct. Company must explain why the assignee is required and no local alternative can be found.

Red Flags

In our experience, the following points are important to note at the start of the process.

• Absence of degree – Correct. Can be overcome with a support letter by the company explaining the assignee specific experience and expertise.
• Min age  – Not mentioned in the visa requirements.
• Etc. – Applicants of countries with no formal relations to Israel (Arab countries) will require further reviews and security checkups – can extend the process by 1-2 months.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The government of Israel takes immigration non-compliance very seriously. Penalties for non-compliance may include fines, deportation, and imprisonment.

Employee Penalties:

Please include details regarding fines, deportation, potential imprisonment, etc.  – If assignee does not meet the visa requirements (i.e. visa expired etc.) he can face deportation and be barred from entering Israel for up to 10 years.

Employer Penalties:      

Please include details regarding fines, potential imprisonment, restrictions on further or current foreign workers, etc. –

            CEO/Company signatory can face legal actions and imprisonment up to 1 year. Fines will depend on the work period, salary and work conditions, but can reach tens of thousends (ILS) and more.

For more details, please contact your representative.

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