16/11/2023- Update to the Ministry of Economy's industrial procedure.
Recently, an update was published to the Ministry of Economy’s industrial procedure regarding the increase of the quota of permits to 3,000 foreign workers for the Israeli industry, as well as the reduction of the required salary for a foreign worker, according to the various professions detailed in the procedure. Please contact us for more information!
09/11/2023-Coming Soon: Announcement of Framework Procedures for Bringing in Foreign Workers and Foreign Experts from India and other Countries for the Israeli Economy
Since the outbreak of the war, the State of Israel has been dealing with an acute shortage of workers in many industries.
As the leading office in the field, our conversations with various government representatives has conveyed that due to the immense shortage of foreign workers, including skilled foreign experts for the industry, the Minister of Economy Nir Barkat is currently working to bring in 160,000 foreign workers from India and other countries, in order to address the worker shortage in industry, construction, agriculture, restaurants, and other sectors.
We are in constant communication with government ministries and we work together with them to develop a convenient procedure for bringing in foreign workers and experts for Israel’s industry. The moment a new procedure is released, we will update our customers.
There is no doubt that the approval of the framework during a time of war and the arrival of skilled workers to the Israeli industry will assist in the functional continuity of the economy in times of emergency, improve the economy, and provide a response to Israeli companies desperate for workers in the industry.
01/11/2023 - Real-time updates - "Iron Swords" War
We at IFTACH HANAN & Co. are in a constant and direct contact with all the relevant officials in all relevant ministries, including with the head of the visa’s unit in the Population and Immigration Authority. We work together to find the benevolent solution which will allow the extension of visas, the entry of foreign experts into Israel and the maintenance of functional continuity of the Israeli economy.
Accordingly, an update will soon be released regarding foreign workers visa extensions including automatic extension.
31/10/2023- Real-time updates - "Iron Swords" War
Israel is returning to normal along with the security situation in accordance with the directives of the Home Front Command.
In many cities, elementary school is in session, subject to the directives of the Home Front Command, among them: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Petah Tikva, Kiryat Ono, and more. As a result, the Israeli economy is also beginning to return to activity.
The directives of the HFC change from time to time and it is recommended to be updated through their website
30/10/2023- Real-time updates - "Iron Swords" War
The Work Permit Unit is functioning, as well as several offices of the MOI.
On the Population Authority’s website, the hours of operation and public reception at the offices of the Ministry of the Interior are updated every day. During this period, there is activity in the offices. Applications for work permits and work visas for foreign experts are processed and the permits are being issued. You can contact us and be updated on a daily basis which offices are open, and what are their hours of operation.
18/10/2023- Real-time updates - "Iron Swords" War
Due to the security situation in Israel, the Population and Immigration Authority has extended the residence visas for all foreigners who are in Israel with a valid visa and whose validity will expire within the next month. This includes foreign workers and foreign experts staying in Israel. As of today, the work visas and residence visas have been extended until November 9, 2023. At the end of this period and in the absence of any other notification, the issue of further delay must be settled with the authorities.
21/08/2023 Coming Soon: Updated Industry Procedure for Israeli Companies
The Israeli government has recently announced an expansion of the quotas for foreign workers, including a provision for 3,000 foreign workers in the industrial sector. Furthermore, the government is actively working to enlarge the list of countries from which foreign workers can be hired. We will keep you informed as soon as the updated procedure is published
10/01/2023 Iftach Hanan & Co. Chosen for Work Visa Pilot
Our office has been chosen as the first law firm to pilot the new online work visa system of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority. We are happy to advise that the new system will shorten the procedure of obtaining work visas. After receiving the approval of PIBA, the employee will receive the license from our office.
01/01/2023 All Work Visas Now Being Handled by Israel's Population and Immigration Authority in Jerusalem
The Population and Immigration Authority has announced that the issuance of work visas will no longer be handled by the Ministry of Interior’s branches.
According to PIBA, starting next week- January 8, 2023 – all work permit and work visa applications will be handled by a dedicated unit in Jerusalem in order to consolidate all work permits and visas into one unit.
10/08/2022- Notice on Updated Industrial Worker Procedure
The Ministry of Economy and Industry re-opened the experimental procedure of obtaining work permits for foreign industrial workers without academic degrees, to be paid a salary of no less than 130% of the average Israeli salary. Certain professions will require a salary equal to the average salary in the profession.
This special procedure allows bringing foreign employees to Israel without requiring employers to meet strict threshold conditions such as bank guarantees.
The updated procedure has a quota of only 1500 positions (instead of 2,000 as was published on 7.11.2021), divided into four (updated) groups of professions.
26/05/2022- Work visa for foreign skilled employee in unique technology and mechanization
A company participating in a large project in Israel may receive dozens and hundreds of permits to employ foreign employees who have expertise and special training to perform work and who use unique technology and mechanization that can not be performed in Israel without them. The company is not obligated to pay the double the average salary in Israel, but only the average salary for the same job. Applications for a work permit in the unique procedure can only be submitted by the specific companies that directly employ the foreign workers, pay their wages and possess the unique technology and mechanization.