Foreign worker visa in Israel: Legal guide

Obtaining a foreign worker visa is often a complicated legal process. The State of Israel limits the number of foreign workers allowed to work and live in its territory. We see many cases of applications being rejected due to late submission or missing paperwork and other required details. To help you avoid similar situations, we have written this article which presents important information regarding the different types of foreign worker visas in Israel and the ways to obtain them.

Our law firm, with offices in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, specializes in Israeli labor and immigration law. Our office provides comprehensive and professional legal services in the area of foreign workers, for both the workers themselves and their employers. Our services in this field include handling applications for visas and work permits for foreign workers, representing foreign workers before committees and courts, and providing legal advice and assistance to foreign workers and employers.

The importance of legally employing foreign workers in Israel

Foreign citizens who are not entitled to Israeli citizenship or permanent residency will face difficulties when trying to immigrate to Israel for work purposes. Israel is an attractive destination for migrant workers from many countries around the world, due to its variety of employment options and relatively high wages. Israeli law, particularly the Entry into Israel Law and the Foreign Workers Law, severely limits foreign citizens’ ability to obtain work visas in Israel. However, despite the legal restrictions in place, there is a high demand for foreign workers in a number of sectors in the Israeli economy.

Nevertheless, it must be stressed that employing foreign workers in Israel must be done according to law. Employing foreign workers without an appropriate work visa constitutes a criminal offense and may result in legal prosecution and subsequent severe sanctions against both the workers themselves and their employers. In order to avoid such undesirable situations, it is important to have a good understanding of the law on the matter, and to apply for the required work visas and foreign worker employment permits in accordance with Israeli law and regulations. We will hereby explain in detail the different types of existing work visas and the process of applying for one.

What types of work visas exist in Israel?

Israeli law authorizes the Minister of the Interior to authorize foreigners to enter Israel for various purposes and lengths of time, and accordingly the Ministry of the Interior created different types of residence and work visas. There are several types of visas which authorize foreign citizens who hold them to work in Israel, but the main one is called the “B-1 visa”. B-1 visas can actually be separated into many subtypes, according to the relevant field of work. The employment sectors include the nursing, hotel, construction and agriculture industries, in which the majority of foreign workers in Israel are employed. B-1 visas are also granted to specialists, in fields such as high-tech and various industrial sectors.

B-1 visas are granted for a period of up to a year, but can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years. In special cases they can even be extended for longer. One of the notable cases in which it is possible to extend a work visa is the case of a foreign nursing worker who is requested to stay with their elderly patient longer than the period of time allowed by law, for humanitarian reasons.

What is the process of obtaining a work visa?

B-1 work visas are issued in accordance with the regulations for entering Israel. The regulations allow both foreign citizens themselves and their future employers to submit a work visa application, either by themselves or with the assistance and accompaniment of an attorney representing them. It is important to arrange the visa ahead of time before entering Israel. This is because, as a rule, it is not possible to convert another type of visa (such as a tourist visa) into a B-1 work visa.

When submitting the application, a worker must present a valid passport and attach to the application, among other things, a passport photograph and a certification of a medical examination attesting to the employee’s health and fitness to work. In addition, the employment contract between the employee and his or her future employer must be attached to the application and an application fee must be paid. Apart from these documents, additional documents may be requested, depending on the field of work and the requirements of each individual case.

Furthermore, in order to obtain the visa, medical insurance for the employee must be arranged, and often the employer will be required to prove that they will meet the employment conditions required for foreign workers. You can read more about the terms of employment and foreign workers’ rights in another article on our website.

How long does it take for an application to be processed?

The time it takes for an application to be processed varies from one case to another. In some cases, the application is examined in an expedited manner, and an answer is returned within a few months. In other cases, it may take a year or even longer to receive an answer. There are many factors which may affect the length of the process, including the circumstances under which the workers were commissioned, the type of work they are to engage in, and more.

One major concern which may cause a delay in processing an application is if the application form is not filled out correctly or if some of the required attachments are missing. In order to avoid such cases and to ensure that the application is processed as soon as possible, it is highly recommended to seek help from an attorney specializing in Israeli immigration law, and particularly in the area of foreign workers.

Contact an attorney specializing in Israeli immigration law and foreign labor

In this article we explained the process of obtaining a foreign worker visa in Israel. As you can see, this is not a simple process. Therefore, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the subject, please contact our office, and our attorneys will be happy to assist you. Our attorneys are experienced in providing comprehensive legal services to employers and foreign workers concerning work visas, as well as a variety of other issues.