Work Visa for Nonacademic Foreign experts
Work Visas for Foreign Non-Academic Experts
Foreign Expert Procedure 5.3.0041 allows the employment of a foreign expert with a unique expertise that cannot be found in Israel. This is possible for both an academic and non-academic expert.
The procedure for receiving a work permit for a non-academic expert for a period of over 3 months is not significantly different from the procedure for an academic expert. There are several small differences, which are noted below.
Employment of foreign experts requires the employer to have type B/1 work permits issued, as well as matching work visas. This entails a long bureaucratic procedure which consists of several stages. It takes about 6 to 8 weeks for a company to receive such visas, with significant consideration given to which company is submitting the applications, the documents submitted by the company, and the information submitted regarding the need for the foreign experts in Israel. Applications which are submitted without all of the required documentation and/or details attached may be delayed or even rejected.
As part of the procedure’s requirements, the company is obligated to pay the foreign expert a salary which is no less than double the average Israeli salary. As of 2021, that sum would equal 20,856 NIS a month. It is at the Commissioner’s discretion to require a higher salary for a foreign worker with an average salary that is higher than the average Israeli salary.
Please note: A foreign expert who is employed in Israel for up to three months must be paid Israel’s minimum wage.
The steps in the procedure for obtaining a foreign expert work permit and visa:
Step 1: Submitting an application for a work permit in the Population, Immigration and Border Crossing Authority’s Work Permits Unit in Jerusalem.
Step 2: Submitting an application for a B / 1 work visa and entry visa to Israel at the Ministry of the Interior, and sending the authorization to the Israeli consulate abroad.
Step 3: Issuing a work permit at the Israeli consulate of the foreign expert’s country of origin (usually, a B/1 work permit is for one month only).
Step 4: Extending the work permit’s validity to the desired duration upon the foreign expert’s arrival in Israel’s airport, and applying for a multi-entry visa at the Ministry of Interior.
We will note at this stage that the Work Permits unit has additional requirements for foreign experts who are non-academic (and who are employed for a period of over 3 months). Therefore, we recommend that you prepare them in advance and begin the application process for permits and visas as early as possible.
The additional requirements include:
- Depositing a bank guarantee of 40,000 NIS for each foreign expert.
- A signed employment contract in the foreign expert’s native language that accords with Israeli employment law.
- Additional signed declarations in the foreign expert’s native language.
The steps above relate to the standard and orderly procedure- however, depending on different circumstances and evolving policies, the steps in the process may be shortened or lengthened, and at each stage a requirement for additional documents, reports and relevant information for the Authority may be received. In addition, most of the procedures involve the payment of government fees.
The work permit can be extended annually for a year at a time, until a cumulative maximum of 63 months.
Please note:
Working in Israel without a valid work visa is a legal violation which may result in severe penalties, including: substantial fines (more than 5,000 NIS per business day), the arrest and deportation of the foreign expert (which may result in the possible impairment of the foreign expert’s ability to be employed in other countries), and even criminal proceedings against company executives in Israel and abroad.
Referring to a law firm that specializes in Israeli commercial immigration law (and specifically in the immigration of foreign experts) will allow the visa applicant to be issued a work visa quickly and professionally, and will significantly increase the chances of obtaining desired results.
Are you interested in employing foreign experts in Israel? Contact us today, and we will be happy to assist you in obtaining the necessary permits and visas!
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Sharon Eyal - Sharon Eyal- CEO, Haifa Chemicals South
We have been working with the law firm of Iftach Hanan & Co. for some time in the field of applying for foreign expert work licenses in Israel. As a leading company in our field, we carry out many projects that require the purchase of advanced machinery and upgrading the production system in our factories on a regular basis, while utilizing the services of foreign experts.
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Elbit Systems - Cyclone Ltd., is engaged in the production and design of aerospace parts for the military and civilian market for the best aircraft manufacturers in the United States, and most of its activities are for defense exports.
I would like to thank you and the firm's staff for their fruitful cooperation, and for your thorough, efficient and professional service.
Your guidance in the process of applying for visas has proven itself, particularly against the background of COVID-19 and in light of the complexities involved both with the suppliers abroad and with the authorities in Israel. I enjoy working with you, especially because of the courtesy and sense of partnership for which I am grateful.
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For about two years, our company has been using the services of the Iftach Hanan & Co. law firm for the purpose of applying for long-term and short-term foreign expert work permits.
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In recent years, we have been working together with the Iftach Hanan & Co. law firm, which specializes in applying for work permits and work visas for foreign experts who wish to work in Israel.
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We strongly recommend that you contact the Iftach Hanan & Co. law firm when dealing with immigration issues and applying for work permits and work visas for foreign experts and workers.
