Work visa for Aliyah eligible foreign citizens

Some people who are eligible to make aliya under the Law of Return do not wish to make aliyah to Israel or have not yet made up their mind on the matter. However, the State of Israel provides a special work visa for Aliyah eligible foreign citizens under favorable conditions and even allows them to upgrade their status by obtaining temporary residence visas or citizen/resident status.

Our firm specializes in immigration and emigration law and obtaining Israeli residence visas. In this article, attorney Joshua Pex explains the various visas available to those entitled to make aliyah and the differences between them.

B-1 Visa

This visa is given to foreign workers, granting its holder the right to work in Israel. For workers who are not entitled to make aliya, their employers must apply for a visa on their behalf prior to their arrival in Israel. Those eligible for aliya who are staying in Israel on a normal tourist visa may apply to change their status and receive a B-1 work visa. This visa does not grant its holder residency status or any social rights.

In order to obtain a B-1 work visa for an employee, the employer must submit an employment application to the Interior Ministry. If the application is accepted, the employer receives an employment permit and the worker receives a B-1 visa. Usually the visa is granted for a limited period of one year, after which it can be extended for a maximum period of five years.

Who can apply for a work visa for someone eligible to make aliya?

Foreign citizens over the age of 18 who are entitled to make aliya (either by being Jewish themselves, having a father or grandparent who is Jewish, having a spouse who is entitled to make aliya, or being a convert to Judaism) and are not citizens or residents of Israel, may apply for a B-1 work visa from the Interior Ministry. After the visa expires at the end of one year, applicants must apply in person at the Interior Ministry and present a passport that is valid for another 6 months beyond the requested visa’s expiration date, along with presenting a passport photo and paying a fee.

Applicants who have stayed in Israel for more than six months prior to applying (say as a tourist) must present a certificate from the Israeli police regarding the absence of a criminal record and a security check to ensure that there is no security or criminal issue preventing the application’s approval.

How long is the visa valid for?

Work permits are granted according to the period requested by the applicant and according to the expected period of residence in Israel. However, according to the Law of Entry into Israel, this period shall not exceed five consecutive years from the date of entry into Israel. Those eligible for aliya can request a multi-entry visa (Inter-Visa) for the entire approved work period if they wish to travel in and out of Israel during their stay. B-1 visa holders do not have residency status and are not entitled to any social rights.

Once their B-1 visa has expired, those eligible to make aliya are offered other options to prolong their stay, including applying for an A-1 visa, an A-5 visa, and even making aliyah.

What is the A-1 visa for those eligible to make aliya?

A-1 visas are granted to those eligible for aliya who wish to try living in Israel before officially making aliyah. It grants a type of temporary residency status that allows you to experience life in Israel before making your final decision on whether to make aliyah. Its holders are entitled to receive all the social rights granted to Israeli citizens, including health insurance or national insurance.

The A-1 visa enables those eligible for aliya to live, work and study in Israel for a period of up to 5 years. Unlike the B-1 visa, A-1 visas allow their holders great flexibility. They are not committed to a particular employer during their stay, can study in Israel at significantly cheaper prices than other countries in the world, and even find a study program in the English language.

Unlike B-1 visa holders, A-1 visa holders receive an identity number and an identity card (similar to the Israeli identity card but with a different color). However, A-1 visa holders are not citizens of Israel and cannot obtain an Israeli passport. In addition, to apply for a A-1 visa you must be present in Israel, either with a tourist or a B-1 visa, and apply in person at an office of the Population and Immigration Authority. Applicants must prove that they are Jewish and/or entitled to the right of return by presenting documents in English or translated into Hebrew.

Similar to B-1 visas, applicants must show that they have no criminal record, that they have not previously been refused entry to Israel and that they do not pose a security threat to Israel. Here too applicants can obtain a multi-entry visa (Inter-Visa) for the duration of their stay in Israel.

Type A-1 visas are valid for three years, after which it is possible to extend them for another two years. At the end of this period, those eligible to make aliya can apply to make aliyah or apply for a temporary A-5 visa.

Why not apply to make aliyah?

Many of those entitled to make aliyah do not want to do so for various reasons, for example if their countries of origin do not allow them to retain dual citizenship and they do not want to give up their previous citizenship. If you have previously held an A-1 visa, you can obtain an A-5 visa, which grants temporary resident status in Israel and is issued by the Interior Ministry for a period of only one year at a time. In addition, like with the A-1 visa, temporary residents receive an Israeli identity card and social benefits such as health insurance, national insurance, etc.

To understand which visa is best for you and to get help obtaining it, we recommend that you seek help from our attorneys, who are experts in the subjects of immigration and visas.