Country Profiles

Hungary

January 2012

This summary is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered an authoritative guide on how to obtain work authorization in Israel. The intent is to give the reader a general overview of the process only. Procedures and requirements may have changed since the writing of this article. For current and detailed information regarding the topics below, as well as documentary requirements, processing times, post-arrival and departure requirements, penalties for non-compliance, allowances for accompanying family members, and any other information pertaining to your specific needs, please contact your Pro-Link GLOBAL immigration professional.

Overview

BUSINESS VISITOR

Permitted Activities - Business visitors must generally limit their activities to the following:

  • Attending business meetings or discussions;
  • Making sales calls to potential clients provided that the visitor represents a commercial entity outside of Israel;
  • Attending seminars or "fact-finding" meetings.

Type of Business Visas - Certain nationals may enter Israel without need of a business visa (visa-exempt nationals). All other nationals will require a business visa (B2).

Basic Requirements -

  1. Intention of a genuine visit for business and not for paid employment;
  2. Valid passport;
  3. Evidence that there are no restrictions on his or her traveling to Israel;
  4. No intention to permanently reside in Israel;
  5. A ticket for onward travel from Israel;
  6. Proof of funds.

Estimated Processing Times - This varies by diplomatic post and country.

Maximum Time On Visa - This visa allows business people to make a short business visit to Israel for up to three months during the visa validity period. Visas cannot be extended in country.

Typical Documents Required -
All travelers need to present the following documents to officers in immigration clearance:

  • a valid passport or other acceptable travel document and in some cases;
  • a valid visa or authority to enter Israel.

EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Basic Requirements - The principalimmigration category for temporary employment in Israel is the B1work visa for foreign experts.This is a category for employers to sponsor qualified skilled workers to work as intra-company transferees in Israel on a temporary basis. To qualify as a corporate employee, the overseas worker should be a highly-skilled professional, earning a salary substantially above the Israeli prevailing wage, or be an executives or manager of a multinational company.

Process Overview - The process for obtaining a B1 work visa forforeign expertsinvolves a four-step process summarized below:

  1. Work permit application (to the Ministry of Interior's Population, Immigration and Border Authority, or PIBA);
  2. Consular authorization (from the Ministry of Interior);
  3. B1entry visa application - at an Israeli consulate or embassy;
  4. Multiple entry visa application post arrival.

Note that different processes apply for people of the Jewish faith ("Aliyah").

Estimated Processing Time - 11 to 13 weeks.

Validity periods - Visas are generally valid for up to twelve months.

Family Members -Secondary/ family dependants can not work without separate work authorization.