Israel: Longer Validity for Short-Term Work Visa for Foreign Experts
October 13, 2021
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At a Glance
- According to a new regulation from the Ministry of Interior, Short-Term Employment Authorization (SEA) B-1 Work Visas (for foreign experts) are now valid for up to 90 days per calendar year for foreign experts. Previously, they were only valid for up to 45 days.
- The new regulation provides for 10-business day processing for these visas.
The situation
The Short-Term Employment Authorization (SEA) B-1 Work Visas for foreign experts are now valid for up to 90 days per calendar year. Previously, they were valid for up to 45 days.
A closer look
- Eligibility. To be eligible for a SEA B-1 Work Visa, foreign nationals must be from a country whose nationals can enter Israel visa free for tourism, such as Australia, EU Member States, Japan or the United States. They must also qualify as a foreign expert, which is defined as a foreign national with unique and specialized knowledge and expertise.
- Processing time. Per the new regulation, SEA B-1 Work Visas will be processed within 10 business days.
- Cost. The longer-duration SEA B-1 Work Visa will cost up to NIS 6,500 (depending on the number of days expected for each visit).
- Validity. Foreign experts can divide their 90-day stay into several different periods within a calendar year, but their employer must submit a new visa application to the Ministry of Interior prior to each entry.
- Requirements upon arrival. Upon receipt of the work permit, the foreign expert can travel to Israel and begin work immediately. However, the foreign expert must obtain a visa stamp in their passport from the Ministry of Interior within two days of arrival.
- Renewal limitation. The SEA B-1 Work Visa cannot be extended.
Impact
Foreign experts in Israel are now eligible for longer stays under the SEA B-1 Work Visa.
Background
The Israeli government views foreign experts as an important category of foreign workers contributing to its economy. As a result, it has made concessions during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to continue to enter the country.
Looking ahead
It is likely that the Israeli government will continue to implement policies to attract foreign nationals to fill gaps in the local labor market. We will report on relevant updates.
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].
