Two-Year Work Permit Introduced

Effective February 5, 2014, Israel’s Ministry of Interior is accepting two-year work permit applications, while continuing to issue the standard three-month and one-year work permits. The application process for the two-year permit is expected to be more rigorous, as the need for the longer validity period must be supported by assignment-related documentation and information.

The B-1 work visa issued in conjunction with the work permit will continue to be valid for one year and may be renewed in Israel after the first year.

Government regulations that establish processing times and filing fees are expected to be issued shortly.

What This Means for Employers

The two-year work permit will provide more flexibility to foreign nationals on long-term assignments. However, employers must substantiate the need for the longer duration and should be prepared for the possibility of longer processing times.

Fragomen worked closely with Kan-Tor & Acco Law Firm (Israel) to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].