Work Employment Visa In Israel: Explained
Securing a work employment visa for Israel is your gateway to pursuing professional opportunities in this dynamic country. We’v got you covered with this!
Understanding the visa application process and requirements is crucial for expats looking to live and work in Israel legally. Let’s delve into everything you need to know to navigate the complexities of obtaining your work employment visa.
Let’s dive in!
What Is An Israel B1 Work Visa?
A B-1 Work Visa for Israel allows one to enter the country for work. According to Israeli legislation, the most common work authorization for foreign nationals is the B-1 visa.
In the first situation, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (MOITAL) grants it; in the second instance, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) grants it.
Who Can Apply For a B/1 Work Visa?
Everybody with a concrete job offer in Israel can apply for a Work Visa. The employer/sponsor and the employee are involved in the work visa and work permit application procedures.
You can apply for a B/1 Work Visa for Israel for jobs that fall under the following categories:
- Specialists Work In Academic Fields, such as Engineers for Research and Development Teams, Auditors, Senior Executives, and other Senior Supervisors.
- Specialists Work In Non-Academic Fields, i.e., welders, mechanical installers, equipment installers, and any other job that does not require a certificate of education as a precondition for an academic institution of higher education.
- Experts Work Up To 3 Months (STEP): These are those holding a certificate of education at an academic institution of higher education or relevant vocational training who wish to stay in Israel for a maximum of three months.
- High Tech Work Visa (HIT) is for employing foreign experts in high-tech and cyber companies.
- Work In Israel Up To 45 days (SEA): a new fast track for a permit to work in Israel, which allows, within days, the arrival of a foreign expert for a short period (defined and limited) and does not exceed 45 days per calendar year in total.
Those applying for this visa only need a work permit to enter Israel. Once they are here, they can apply for their visa at the Ministry of Interior.
Note that this work visa is available only for those who do not need a visitor visa to enter Israel.
How To Apply For A B/1 Work Visa For Israel?
You must fulfill a few steps and requirements to apply for a B/1 Temporary Resident visa for Israel.
The Israeli authorities representing Israel in your home country will decide how to proceed with your application based on how well you complete the application process.
You must follow these procedures to ensure you receive the visa. The steps for applying for a B-1 visa are outlined below in chronological sequence and comprehensive explanations.
Getting An Israeli Work Permit
You need to first have a work permit in Israel to be eligible to apply for a B-1 Work visa. In Israel, your employer is responsible for applying for your work permit.
They should apply for a work permit at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor’s local (municipal) office, outlining the project, the necessity for specialized knowledge, the terms of employment, and other details.
The application must comply with all rules and specifications set forth by the Ministry.
This office first processes work permit applications and then forwards them to the national office in Jerusalem for additional processing.
Once the national office approves your work permit petition, they will send a written recommendation form to the Ministry of Interior to grant you a work visa.
You can then continue the application process for a work visa in your country of residence.
Complete The B/1 Work Visa Application Form
You should complete the B-1 visa application form as soon as your sponsor or employer in Israel notifies you that your work permit has been accepted.
You can use a pen of any color other than black to fill out the form or complete it on your computer and print it afterward.
The form is available in both Hebrew and English and can be completed in either language.
It asks about your anticipated travel to Israel, occupation, parents’ full names, surname, and nationality.
Remember to include a photo in the designated area on the application form.
Attend The visa appointment
With all the required documents, you must attend a visa appointment with the visa processing authorities in your country of residence. This could be:
- The embassy of Israel
- A consulate of Israel
- A third-party visa center to which Israel has outsourced visa admission
On the day of your appointment, you must meet with a consular officer to whom you will submit the required documents.
This person will interview you about your application, your intention to travel to Israel, and other details.
What Are The Required Documents For A Work Visa In Israel?
Next, gather the paperwork needed for an Israel B/1 visa. In addition to the standard documents, you will need to submit a few more with your work visa application in Israel.
The following additional documents are needed for a B-1 Israel visa:
- Israel B1 Visa application form.
- Two photographs must have a plain white background and size 5.5 cm X 5.5 cm.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended duration of your stay in Israeli territory, and you must have at least one blank page to affix the visa.
- Older Passports: You must submit all your passports, including current, old, canceled, expired, or special passports.
- Proof of booked flight tickets: You do not need to purchase the tickets; if your application is accepted, you will retain your money. You need a saved seat on a flight to Israel to prove the date you intend to travel here.
- Birth Certificate.
- Proof of paid B1 visa fees.
- Certificate Of Arabic Language Skill: The certificate should be obtained at the relevant authority in your country of residence.
- Medical Report: You should submit a certificate of medical examinations performed in clinics or hospitals recognized by the Israeli mission in your country of residence. The certification must cover, among other things, expected results in tests for tuberculosis, hepatitis, and AIDS, as well as blood test results.
- Police Clearance Certificate: You should obtain a police verification from the police in your country of residence that confirms you have not committed any crimes in the past years. The certificate should be valid for at least three years but no older than three months.
- Work Contract: Submit a copy of the work contract or job offer stating the employer, their contact, your position and salary, and the period of employment.
Any documents that are not in English or Hebrew must be translated and notarized by an Israeli notary or by the Israeli Consulate.
What Is The B/1 Work Visa Fee?
The fee for a B/1 Visa is €41 for every applicant. If you file your application at a visa processing center, you will have to pay an additional service fee, which cannot be higher than the price of the visa itself.
You can check our article about Israeli visa fees to learn more about them and compare them with other visa fees.
What Is The Israel Visa Processing Time?
Processing times for B-1 work visa applications may take about 12 to 14 weeks. However, the processing period may be extended if you have a more complicated case.
Only High Tech Work Visa applicants are exempt, whose applications are processed within ten working days.
You can travel to the country once you get your B-1 work visa for Israel.
However, as the embassies grant single-entry one-month valid visas, you will need to apply for an extension of the visa for the entire period of the work permit within one month.
How Long Can You Stay In Israel With A Work Visa?
Initially, you will be issued a B-1 single-entry visa, suitable for 30 days maximum.
As soon as you arrive in Israel, you should apply for an extended-validity, multiple-entry B-1 visa stamp at the Ministry of Interior.
The precise reason for your visit to the nation will determine the length of the visa’s validity. Nonetheless, employment visas (B-1) often have a one-year validity period.
Extension requests may be made for one year each, but the overall duration of B-1 status is often limited to five years and three months.
What Is Israeli Work Visa Rejection?
The Israeli authorities can only accept your application for a B/1 work visa for Israel and are not obliged to inform you on what grounds you were rejected.
Yet, some of the most common reasons why Israeli work visa applications are rejected are as follows:
- You need to meet the requirements to get a work visa for Israel.
- You have a criminal record in Israel and abroad.
- You have previously illegally resided in Israel.
- You have previously worked in Israel before an authorization.
- You made a material misrepresentation.
How To Extend A B/1 Work Visa?
To extend a B/1 work visa for Israel, you will need to follow the steps listed below:
- Submit a work permit extension application to the Work Permit Unit.
- Submission of work permit extension application at the Work Permit Unit. Note that the application should be submitted at least 60 days before the expiration of the work visa.
- Approval of the Work Permit Unit.
- Submit B-1 visa extension applications and passports to the Ministry of Interior (MOI).
How To Find A Job In Israel?
You can search independently or through an agency. Israeli job boards post jobs for people who want to gain professional skills.
These may be proposals for recruiting hotel staff, seasonal workers, etc. Highly qualified specialists can send a resume to the company they are interested in.
Those who want to get a long-term, promising contract should contact an employment agency.
In Israel, there is a need for such specialists:
- Construction Workers: including laborers and engineers.
- Medical Staff: doctors, nurses, nurses.
- IT Specialists.
- Workers in the field of nanotechnology.
- Unskilled Workers: waiters, maids, cleaners
If a foreigner is applying for one of these positions, then he must have extensive work experience. In addition, such activities require licensing.
Based on existing practice, a special certificate is usually issued to country citizens. Foreigners who came to Israel for permanent residence can apply for it.
Conclusion
Obtaining your work employment visa for Israel opens doors to exciting career prospects in the Holy Land. By familiarizing yourself with the visa process and fulfilling all requirements, you can embark on your professional journey with confidence and peace of mind.
Remember, preparation is key to a successful visa application and a fulfilling career in Israel.
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