How to Get an Israeli B1 Visa Approved

This article gives tips on how to get your Israeli B1 visa approved the first time you apply. Our law firm specializes in Israeli immigration law and help numerous private and corporate clients with their visa needs.

We have written extensively on all sorts of issues related to the B1 expert worker visa, including general procedure and how to speed up the process. Beyond this information, this article provides a few expert tips to get your Israeli B1 visa approved the first time!

Bigger vs. Smaller Companies

Bigger companies that are more well known often have an easier time applying for a B1 visa for their workers. Smaller companies can certainly get B1 visas as well, but do be prepared for further scrutiny. The reason bigger, better-known companies find it easier to get visas is because the Israeli immigration clerks processing their application tend to trust them more to meet the permit’s criteria. Also, many of these bigger companies have already gone through the process before and have a track record indicating that they will pay salaries on time and that the foreign experts they have hired will not stay in Israel illegally.

Tips to Get the Israeli B1 Visa Approved

All Israeli immigration and visa issues are regulated by the Israeli Ministry of Interior. Beyond the list of documents one must submit, which we have discussed at length in other articles, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind.

Recommendation letters: It is helpful to include as many recommendation letters as possible in the application process. Make sure the recommendation letters are well written and speak specifically about the particular skills the expert worker is being hired for, relating to their credentials that are also attested to in the CV that is submitted.

Explanation letter: A company must submit a letter describing the company and why they need a foreign expert worker. This letter must be submitted on the company letterhead with the logo on it. In the past foreign companies would often submit this in English, but this is no longer permitted. This letter must be in Hebrew. This can be complicated for foreign companies to provide an explanation letter on their letterhead in Hebrew. The company must work with a translator to provide this letter in Hebrew.

Physically submit the application: The application fee must be paid online, but the application should be physically submitted. While it is possible to send the application to a designated PO Box, it is important to ensure that the office has received the application. If you do not go in person to check that it was received, it is possible for the office to say that they never received it or it was received on a different date than initially submitted. This can be time sensitive, particularly during an expedited process, and any delay can cause a company to lose time and money as it pushes back the date that the foreign expert can begin their work. Thus, in our experience we recommend physically submitting the application. Our law firm in Jerusalem is located close to the Israeli Ministry of Interior visa department, and we submit the application in person on behalf of our clients.

Contact Us

If you would like assistance getting an Israeli B1 visa approved, feel free to contact us. Our law firm would be happy to accompany you throughout the process to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible.