Israel/Palestinian Territories: Government Issues Automatic Extensions of Work Visas and Travel Updates
October 9, 2023
At a Glance
- In light of the ongoing security situation in Israel, the Population and Immigration Authority has indicated that it will automatically extend the validity of work visas that are expiring for the next month with a new expiration date of November 9, 2023.
- Air travel to and from Israel remains possible but many airlines have temporarily cancelled services.
The situation
As reported in our client alert on October 8, 2023, the security situation in Israel remains fluid. Fighting and instability in parts of Israel and Gaza is expected for the immediate future. As a result, the Population and Immigration Authority has confirmed that it plans to extend the expiration dates of all currently valid work visas expiring for the next month at least until November 9, 2023. Updates and announcements, including office closures, are available from the authority at: http://piba.gov.il/
Travel to and from Ben Gurion Airport remains open as of October 9, 2023. El Al, Emirates, Ryan Air, Turkish Airlines and JetBlue have planned flights but most other major airlines from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe have temporarily cancelled flights.
Impact
Work visa holders who have an expiration date prior to November 9, 2023 will automatically have it adjusted to that new date. We anticipate more details will follow concerning the impact of ongoing applications or if it is likely that this new expiration date will be automatically extended again in the future.
All foreign nationals currently in Israel are advised to register with their national embassy and ensure all their original biographical documents, including passports, birth certificates and marriage certificates are up to date and readily available.
All travelers seeking to travel to and from Israel should continue to check with their airline or booking agency to confirm whether their flight remains on schedule.
Visit our dedicated page for up-to-date immigration insights and guidance.
Fragomen worked closely with Kan-Tor & Acco Law Firm to prepare this alert. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
