Real-Time Updates – “Iron Swords” War
On our website you can find up-to-date information regarding the entry and exit of foreign experts to Israel during the Iron Swords War.
Below are answered to frequently asked questions that can advise employers and foreign experts who are required to leave or enter Israel during the war.
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 limited activity in the offices, but the offices are active! 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.
You can also keep up to date on the website of the Population and Immigration Authority –
https://www.gov.il/he/departments/population_and_immigration_authority/govil-landing-page
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. We recommend contacting our office for advice and assistance.
The Airports Authority recently updated that Ben Gurion Airport is operating as usual and is open to flights for all airlines. From the beginning of the hostilities until Monday, October 16, 2023, 191,459 Israelis entered Israel. On October 17, 2023, approximately 32,000 passengers on 211 international flights will pass through Ben Gurion both entering and leaving, of which about 14,700 are incoming passengers.
Keep up to date on the Airport Authority’s website and check the latest flight schedules-
As mentioned, Ben Gurion Airport is operating normally. Accordingly, there are incoming flights and outgoing flights, in particular of all Israeli airlines as well as a limited number of foreign companies.
Following the security situation, the following is an update of the operating hours at the land border crossings:
Begin Terminal
As of 10.16.2023, the Begin border crossing (Taba) will operate between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00.
Allenby Terminal
Until future notice:
Sunday-Thursday from 08:00 until 16:30.
Friday from 8:00 until 15:30.
Saturday the terminal is closed.
Passage (entry and exit) of the entire population will be allowed, although there may be a limit on the number of passengers/buses.
The emergency services will be active- their hours of operation will be determined each morning.
Arrival of tourists to the terminal will be possible up to 3 hours before the terminal closes.
Diplomats will be allowed to arrive at the terminal up to 1.5 hours before the terminal closes.
Jordan River
Starting from Wednesday October 18, 2023, and until future notice, the Jordan River border crossing will operate from Sunday – Friday between 8:30 to 17:30 (accepting passengers until 16:00 only).
Nitsana Terminal
The cargo terminal is closed 24 hours a day.
The closest country to which you can fly (and to which there are both regular and special flights) is Cyprus. The length of the flight is about 38-40 minutes, landing at Larnaca Airport. Another close country is Greece. You can fly to Athens, Thessaloniki and the Greek islands.
As a general rule, it is advisable to keep up to date with the contact person of the work orderer/sponsor for the foreign expert in Israel. As the execution of the work is in a war zone, it is recommended to wait and be updated daily regarding developments. As long as the work is in the center of Israel and/or north and/or south of the war zone, it is possible to arrive provided that the instructions of the Home Front Command are followed in accordance with the specific instructions in each area.
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.
From the moment we turned to Adv. Iftach Hanan, we realized that we were already in a different place- a sense of service, professionalism, availability, and providing an efficient and quick response to any problem, issuing work permits on tight schedules, and doing everything possible for the sake of the project. Real professionals, great job!
Erez Ohayon - Indirect property procurement, Elbit Systems
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.
Yossi Eli - VP of Management and Resources, HCT
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.
In light of the complexity that currently exists with the authorities abroad and in Israel regarding the issuing of work permits and the immigration of foreign experts, Iftach Hanan's services have proven themselves more than once to be professional, courteous and fast.
Therefore, I would like to thank Iftach and his dedicated employees for the availability, personal attention, and accompanying services pertaining to the above.
Keren Lougassi - Projects Operations, Coral
We at Coral Energy provide services to a large number of Israeli and international companies.
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.
Adv. Iftach Hanan and the staff in his firm are well versed in immigration law to Israel and in the field of commercial immigration in particular. Their services include responsiveness at any hour of the day, efficient and fast work, and quick and efficient problem-solving.
Throughout our time working together, Iftach and his team have proven their integrity and reliability, professionalism, willingness to work non-routine hours, and impressive results.
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.
