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ISRAEL - Immigration Update
by Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen &
Loewy, LLP
05/22/2008
Israel has made several changes to the requirements for foreign nationals who
will work in Israel or visit Israel for business.
Fixed Limit on Israeli Work Authorization
Israel's Ministry of Interior recently announced that foreign nationals will be
permitted to work in Israel for a maximum period of five years and three months
from the date their first work visa was issued, regardless of the visa validity
period or the amount of time actually worked. For example, if a foreign national
received a one-year work visa in January 2004, he/she would not be able to work
in Israel after April 2009, even if he/she only worked for one year during that
period. Extensions beyond the five-year and three-month limit generally are
prohibited.
In exceptional cases, however, an employer may petition the Ministry of Interior
and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Labor to authorize a foreign national to
work in Israel beyond the five-year and three-month time period. Exceptions will
be permitted based on the foreign national's significant contribution to
Israel's economy and society.
Pension Contributions Now Required For Foreign Employees
Israeli employers are now required to make regular pension contributions for
their foreign national employees. Employers must deposit contributions into a
special fund that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Labor will create. Until
the fund is established, employers should keep the required contributions. The
contributions will be available to foreign national employees upon the
termination of their work assignments in Israel.
Translation and Notarization of Diplomas
Foreign diplomas submitted with work permit applications must now be translated
into Hebrew and notarized by an Israeli notary fluent in the language in which
the diploma was issued. Either the notary or another party may complete the
translation.
Individuals with diplomas issued by universities in Australia, Canada, South
Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States are exempt from the
translation and notarization requirement.
New Visa Requirement for Certain Business Visitors
Foreign nationals who wish to enter Israel for business visits shortly after the
termination of a B-1 work visa now must apply for a Business Visitor Visa
sponsored by an Israeli entity. The new requirement applies to nationals of all
countries, including visa waiver countries. Failure to comply with the new
requirement may result in denial of entry to Israel. The government has not
issued guidance on the length of time after the work visa terminates during
which a Business Visitor Visa would be required. Clients are advised to contact
their immigration professional before planning business visits to Israel.
In preparing this article, Fragomen has worked closely with Kan-Tor & Acco Law
Firm (Israel).
The content herein is provided for informational purposes only.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global
immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global Immigration
Services or send an email to
emea@fragomen.com (for Europe, Middle East and Africa).
Source:
http://pubweb.fdbl.com/news1.nsf/c8abb103352ef95a86256e3100809438/0af54630ccbdd37b85257451004e8f60?OpenDocument
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