Israel: Visa Nationals Now Eligible for Hi-Tech Visas

• Eligibility. Under the new regulation, only Israeli hi-tech companies can now apply for a work visa for visa nationals under the B-1 visa process for Hi-Tech Companies (HIT 365).
• Process. Approved Israeli hi-tech companies can submit an application for the work permit under this category. The work permit application will be adjudicated by the Ministry of Interior and the Israeli Innovation Authority. If approved, the foreign national must make and attend an appointment at the Israeli consulate in their home country or country of residence where they will be issued a B-1 work visa. Once in Israel, the foreign national must obtain a multiple entry B-1 work visa stamp in their passport from the Ministry of Interior prior to their first departure from Israel.
• Dependents. Legally married same- or opposite-sex spouses are eligible to apply for a work visa which they must separately apply for, based on the spouse’s HIT visa.

Eligible applicants and their employers will benefit from the expedited processing time of 10 business days under this visa (subject also to consular discretion in their home country or country of residence), instead of the longer three-month processing time, as under the B-1 visa.

• Eligibility for and benefits of HIT 365 visas. HIT visas offer an application process for Israeli companies that are considered high tech by the Israeli Innovation Authority. The visa is valid for up to one year (with the possibility of an extension for up to five years and three months) and requires the applicant to earn at least double the average salary in Israel, currently NIS 20,870 per month.
• Visa nationals in Israel. Visa nationals are defined as nationals of countries that must apply for a visa prior to traveling to Israel for tourism or business. Among other nationalities, this includes nationals of India and China.

Fragomen does not expect any major changes to the trajectory of immigration policy in Israel but will report on any developments.