29/01/2024- PIBA Approves Import of skilled Foreign Workers Due to Industrial Shortage

The CEO of PIBA, in response to the current security situation and the urgent need in the industrial sector, has approved the import of skilled foreign workers (Group D-unskilled foreign workers) from countries with a GDP per capita lower than Israel’s. The workers are to enter Israel within 60 days from the announcement. Companies must ensure these workers weren’t charged any recruitment or travel fees. This decision is limited to countries specifically approved by the authority, taking into account government decisions, security, immigration policies, and prevention of human trafficking.

09/01/2024- Updating the Average Salary in the Israeli Economy

As of January 1, 2024, Israel’s National Insurance agency reports that the official average salary in the economy has risen to 12,379 NIS. Consequently, employers are now obligated to pay every foreign expert gross salary of 24,758 NIS (double the average salary). This salary requirement applies to work permits exceeding 3 months and does not apply to short-term work permits (visas up to 90 days).

02/01/2024- New Government Fee Amounts for B/1 Work Visas Effective January 1, 2024

New Fee Structure: Effective from January 1, 2024, the Israeli government has revised the fee amounts for the B/1 work visas for Foreign Experts as follows:

• Work Permit Fee: Now set at 1,340 NIS.
• Annual Work Visa Fee: Adjusted to 10,875 NIS.
• Multiple Entry Visa Fee: Altered to 195 NIS.

01/01/2024- Significant Arrival of Foreign Workers

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has welcomed 14,575 foreign workers across various sectors. This influx of labor is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Israeli economy and its sectors during these turbulent times.

In a recent noteworthy event, a historic flight from Sri Lanka landed last week, bringing 210 agricultural workers to Israel. This arrival is particularly significant as it marks a concerted effort by the Population and Immigration Authority to expedite the recruitment process and provide much-needed support to the agriculture sector.

20/12/2023- Israel Streamlines Immigration Process, Boosting Workforce for Major Projects.

Israel has recently marked a significant milestone in its journey back to normalcy, with major improvements in its immigration procedures. The Ministry of Population’s Work Permit Unit and Visas Unit are now operating at full capacity, effectively streamlining the process for issuing work visas and permits. This development is particularly significant for foreign experts and workers, as it facilitates their involvement in major projects across Israel, contributing to the nation’s economic growth and project efficiency.

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.

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.

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.

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.