INGO Fee Exemption in Israel

This article addresses the topic INGO fee exemption in Israel, in other words, B1 visa fee exemptions and double salary exemptions for international non-governmental organizations that are operating in Israel.

INGO Fee Exemption in Israel

There are particular exemptions that are relevant for international non-governmental organizations, particularly as they relate to the annual B1 visa application fees and the double wage requirement. This is relevant for nonprofits in Israel who seek to bring representatives to help coordinate the organization’s activities for volunteers coming to Israel in cooperation with the Overseas Volunteers Program of the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services.

Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nonprofit in Israel Exemption

In order to be eligible for the foreign nonprofit in Israel exemption (specifically: for the application fee and double wage requirement), you need to fulfill the following requirements from the Israeli Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services.

-The organization must be a nonprofit organization
-The organization must be registered abroad
-The organization must not perform any missionary activity in Israel
-The organization must not encourage incitement against Israel
-The organization must meet the conditions of the Overseas Volunteers Program of the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services
-The organization must provide at least one seminar for volunteers before they come to Israel and at least one seminar during their stay in Israel
-The organization must employ a representative to accompany volunteers it contributes to the Overseas Volunteer Program and who maintains contact with the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services

Paperwork for the INGO Fee Exemption in Israel

If your organization meets the above criteria, then the following documents need to be submitted:

-Exemption request letter
-The organization’s official registration documents from the foreign country
-The representative’s CV and a photocopy of their passport
-Completed excel document providing information on the number of foreign employees in the organization who have received the B1 visa, the number of Israeli employees in the organization, details on the organization (date and place it was established, main objectives, activities, contributions in Israel, etc.), information on the volunteer program, and information about the representative and why they are important to the position as well as the responsibilities they will have

All of this comprises the first phase of the foreign expert representative application process. The second phase involves obtaining approval from the Israeli Ministry of Interior, which we discuss in other articles.