Israel
September 2010
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 or may have been inaccurately characterized in it. 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.
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 – The visa type will depend on the nationality of the traveler. The following are examples of the types of business visa that are available to the business traveler.
- B 2 Visa
Basic Requirements –
- Intention of a genuine visit for business and not for paid employment;
- Good health and character;
- Evidence that there are no restrictions on his or her traveling to Israel;
- No intention to permanently reside in Israel;
- A ticket for onward travel from Israel;
- 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 principal immigration category for temporary employment in Israel is the B1 work visa for foreign experts. This is a category for employers to sponsor approved skilled workers to work in Israel on a temporary basis.
Who is this visa for? - This visa is for employers who would like to employ overseas workers to fill highly specialized or managerial positions in Israel. To qualify as a corporate employee, the overseas worker should be a highly-skilled professionals 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 for foreign experts involves a four step process summarized below. Note that different processes apply for people of the Jewish faith.
- Work permit application (to the Ministry of Interior's Population, Immigration and Border Authority, or PIBA)
- Consular authorisation (from the Ministry of Interior)
- B1 entry visa application - at an Israeli consulate or Embassy
- Multiple entry visa application post arrival.
Estimated Processing Time – 11-13 weeks.
Validity periods - With this visa you can employ overseas workers for up to twelve months.
Family Members -Secondary/ family dependants camay not work without separate work authorization.
