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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Hundreds of Israeli consulate workers went on strike Monday, prompting suspension of processing at a number of Israeli consulates.
What does the change mean? Workers are expected to return to the job Tuesday, but it is possible the strike may be prolonged. Those in need of consular services should check with their local Israeli consulate before seeking services.
Background: Hundreds of consulate workers went on strike Monday over labor issues. Employees announced plans to strike at consulates throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada, Germany, Spain and Jordan, among other locations. The strike was expected to last only one day, although its duration is not certain.
BAL Analysis: Those in need of Israeli consular services should contact their BAL professional or local Israeli embassy or consulate to determine whether the services they need will be available. Minor processing delays should be expected as a result of Monday’s work stoppage.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Israel. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
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About Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP Founded in 1980, Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) provides comprehensive global immigration services from seven offices across the U.S. and from offices in Geneva, London, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. BAL manages global visa matters and customized application approaches for work permits, business visas, and residence permits in more than 100 countries. With a single cost center for worldwide operations, BAL offers centralized management with regional and local support for the complete spectrum of global immigration matters.
Source: Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? A new program will allow spouses of B-1 foreign experts to obtain Israeli work authorization as dependents.
What does the change mean? Under a one-year pilot program, legally married spouses of B-1 experts will be eligible to work freely without needing to be sponsored by a specific employer.
Background: Israel’s cabinet ministers approved the one-year pilot program Sunday.
Spouses of B-1 experts will be eligible to apply for dependent visas and employment authorization documents (whose duration will match the B-1 employee’s visa, which is valid for one year initially and renewable every year for a total of five years and three -months). A spouse’s employment authorization document allows free access to the Israeli labor market, including full-time, part-time, in-office and remote employment, subject to the minimum gross monthly wage of 4,650 shekels (about US$1,220) for full-time work.
BAL Analysis: The program provides a significant benefit to B-1 workers and family members who qualify under the criteria. BAL is following this development and will report as implementation details become available.
What is the change? Israeli government offices will be closed for almost all of October as the country celebrates the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
What does the change mean? Applicants with time-sensitive applications should file them as soon as possible and anticipate delays when offices reopen.
Background: Offices will be closed for nearly the entire month of October for Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur and Sukkot. During October, the Ministry of Interior will only be open the following days: Oct. 5-6, 9-10, 13, 25-27 and 30-31. The Work Permit Unit will only be open to the public for three days (Oct. 10, 25 and 31) for submission of work permit applications or receipt of approvals. Israeli consular posts abroad will also suspend operations or operate on significantly reduced schedules.
BAL Analysis: Employers should factor in the holiday break when planning for work permits. B-1 work permits take about three months to process, so those aiming for an October start date should file applications as soon as possible. Those applying abroad should contact the relevant Israeli consulate for individual holiday schedules.
What is the change? Israel and China have reached an agreement to provide 10-year, multiple-entry visas to business travelers and tourists from each other’s countries.
What does the change mean? The arrangement, once implemented, is expected to significantly improve visa procedures for Israeli and Chinese nationals traveling to each other’s countries.
Background: The Israeli-Chinese visa agreement follows similar agreements between Canada and China and the U.S. and China. While the change will reduce red tape for business travelers, work activities will not be permitted when traveling on one of the new 10-year visas.
BAL Analysis: The change will facilitate business travel and reduce the inconvenience of having to apply for a visa more frequently. BAL will continue monitoring developments and will update clients when an implementation date is announced or visa issuance begins.
What is the change? Israel’s Ministry of Interior announced today that employers sponsoring foreign workers for work permits must submit a separate affidavit signed by the company for each employee.
What does the change mean? The change may add significantly to processing time because each affidavit must be legalized by an Israeli lawyer or, if abroad, legalized at an Israeli consulate or notarized and apostilled.
Background: Companies sponsoring foreign employees must submit an affidavit confirming their obligations to the employee and the Israeli state. Up until now, a company could use one original affidavit covering several foreign assignees. The work permit unit is now requiring an original affidavit for each foreign worker.
BAL Analysis: BAL will be contacting affected clients to submit new affidavits for each foreign employee. Additionally, BAL is working to seek concessions for companies that submit a large number of applications and will update clients if such concessions are allowed.
What is the change? A strike by government employees at several ministries is causing delays in visa processing and other immigration-related matters. The strike currently includes employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (which includes the Immigration Department), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Security.
What does the change mean? Although applications continue to be processed, employers and individuals should expect delays when applying for a visa, obtaining a CUIL (social security) number and other procedures.
Background: Government employees began labor stoppages Monday to protest the dismissal of thousands of state workers when new officials took office.
BAL Analysis: Although the strike is expected to end soon, employers should note that government services are affected and delays may continue even after employees resume work.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Argentina. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? A two-day strike by employees of the Ministry of Interior has ended.
What does the change mean? Visa and immigration processing has resumed as the employees returned to work April 7.
Background: The strike began Tuesday and ended Thursday morning. All work by the ministry’s employees, including immigration processing, stopped for two days.
BAL Analysis: Immigration processing has resumed. Applicants should remember to file time-sensitive applications as soon as possible ahead of an eight-day holiday break beginning April 22.
What is the change? Israeli government offices will close April 22-30 for Passover, suspending visa and work permit processing during the holiday. Israeli consulates may also close or limit their hours.
Background: This year Passover begins at sundown on April 21 and will be officially observed until sundown April 30. The holiday commemorates the Jewish exodus from slavery in ancient Egypt. Jews around the world host Seders, serving foods that symbolize their journey and deliverance.
BAL Analysis: Companies and individuals applying for visas and work permits should factor the holiday break into their plans. Those applying abroad should contact the relevant Israeli consulate for individual holiday schedules.
What is the change? Israel has published a raise in the average gross monthly salary for 2016 to 9,334 New Israeli Shekels, which affects the calculation of the gross base salary for foreign employees.
What does the change mean? The gross base monthly salary of foreign experts must be at least double the average gross monthly salary, or 18,668 NIS (compared to 18,246 NIS in 2015).
Background: The changes were published Jan. 11 and are effective from Jan. 1. The new base salary amounts do not affect foreign employees in the Short Employment Authorization (SEA) visa or Short-Term Expedited Process (STEP) categories.
BAL Analysis: Employers should take immediate action to ensure the salaries of all foreign B-1 professionals are in compliance with the new rates.
What is the change? A nationwide general strike was averted when the government and a powerful union agreed to terms on pay raises for public sector employees.
What does the change mean? Israeli ministries, embassies, consulates and airports will remain open to the public.
Background: Workers had been prepared to strike at 6 a.m. Israeli time Wednesday if no agreement was reached. Airlines had already rescheduled some flights. In the end, however, work continued as it normally would Wednesday after an eleventh-hour deal was struck between the Finance Ministry and the Histadrut labor federation. Though some ancillary issues related to the workers’ contract remain to be sorted out, normal operations are expected to continue in the days and weeks ahead.
BAL Analysis: A strike would have caused significant challenges for those seeking immigration services or traveling to or from Israel. The agreement reached between the government and public sector workers is welcome news.