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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Israel has resumed issuance of B-1 visa extensions for foreign experts beyond 63 months.
What does the change mean? Although authorities have not yet issued an official statement, they have apparently resolved issues that put the extensions on hold last month.
Background: Israeli law allows employers to sponsor foreign experts on B-1 visas for up to 63 months. The visas may be extended in exceptional cases. In September, the Ministry of Interior halted the extensions while it reviewed regulations.
BAL Analysis: Employers may resume applications for B-1 extensions. BAL will continue to update clients on any changes to Israel’s policy on the extensions.
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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What is the change? Israel has halted acceptance of applications to extend B-1 visas for foreign experts beyond their 63-month validity period.
What does the change mean? Israeli officials have put a halt to B-1 visa extensions while they evaluate the legality of the current program and ponder possible new regulations.
Background: Israeli law allows employers to sponsor foreign experts on B-1 visas for a maximum of 63 months. Prior to the recent change, that time period could be extended in exceptional cases. Last week, however, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy directed the Ministry of Interior to halt issuance of extensions pending further legal examination. The legality of the extension process is being reviewed and new regulations may be issued.
BAL Analysis: BAL will continue to follow this situation and will alert clients if new regulations are issued that permit foreign experts to work in Israel beyond the 63-month period.
What is the change? The High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, followed by Sukkot, will close offices in Israel and some consulates abroad.
What does the change mean? Applicants should expect delays during September and early October.
Background: Rosh Hashanah, or New Year’s Day, will be observed as a two-day celebration Sept. 14-15. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown Sept. 22 and is observed through fasting, prayer and solemn contemplation until it concludes at sundown the next day. The harvest festival of Sukkot, or the Feast of the Tabernacles, will be observed Sept. 28-Oct. 4. Structures made of vegetation are traditionally built during the holiday to commemorate the Jewish exodus from Egypt and 40 years spent in the desert living in huts.
BAL Analysis: Employers should submit applications before the holidays where possible. Overseas applicants should contact the relevant Israeli consulate for individual holiday schedules.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? Foreign students are now allowed to work in Israel under certain conditions, according to an amendment to regulations.
What does the change mean? Foreign master’s program students are allowed to work in certain teaching assistant and tutoring jobs at their academic institution, and foreign students of Jewish heritage are allowed to work part-time for any employer.
Background: According to an amendment to Regulation 1974, certain foreign nationals holding A-2 student visas may work under certain circumstances.
Foreign nationals pursuing a master’s degree or higher may work as salaried teaching assistants or tutors at the academic institution where they are studying. Foreign nationals of Jewish heritage under the Israeli Law of Return may work part-time for any employer as long as the work does not interfere with their studies.
BAL Analysis: The change provides more flexibility for foreign students as well as corporate and academic employers.
What is the change? Israeli workers in the Ministry of Interior’s Population, Immigration and Border Authority have ended a strike that temporarily left immigration-related operations suspended.
What does the change mean? Workers who were on strike returned to work, but applicants in need of visas, passports, or other immigration services should prepare for the possibility of delays due to a demand for services that likely built up during the strike.
Background: Population, Immigration and Border Authority workers went on strike Sunday, demanding more staff to handle the workload they were facing. The strike ended Tuesday, with authorities agreeing to increase staffing levels. It was not immediately clear how many new jobs will be added.
BAL Analysis: The end of the strike is welcome news to foreign nationals in need of immigration services. Even though immigration offices have reopened, foreign nationals should expect delays as there will likely be a high demand for services following more than two days of work stoppage.
What is the change? Israel’s Ministry of Interior has issued rules clarifying portions of the Short Employment Authorization program.
What does the change mean? Those applying for the 30-day SEA permits will no longer be required to present a valid airplane ticket as part of the application process. The ministry has also clarified that any request to change the dates on a work permit will require a new application, including payment of the 1,200-shekel (about US$315) application fee.
Background: Israel launched the SEA program in January after the program was temporarily halted in December. The program allows foreign nationals from visa-waived countries to work in Israel for up to 30 days in a 12-month period. A new application is required for each entry.
BAL Analysis: While the waiver of the airline ticket requirement eases the application documentation requirements, the ministry also clarified that any change-of-date request requires a new application. To avoid having to file a subsequent application, applicants should be as precise as possible when listing dates on applications.
What is the change? Israeli workers in the Ministry of Interior’s Population, Immigration and Border Authority have gone on strike, leaving all operations suspended.
What does the change mean? Those in need of visas, passports, or other immigration services should be prepared for delays.
Background: Population, Immigration and Border Authority workers went on strike Sunday, demanding higher pay and increased staffing levels. The strike continued Monday and left immigration offices in Israel closed. It is not yet clear when the work stoppage will end, but Sunday’s strike followed a partial strike three weeks ago in which workers refused to issue biometrics passports or identity cards, but continued issuing standard ones.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals in need of services at immigration offices should prepare for significant delays. It is not clear when the strike will end; even when it does, officials will likely be faced with a backlog that could further delay services.
What is the change? Israel will observe public holidays April 22-25.
What does the change mean? Government offices will be closed and immigration processing will be suspended.
Background: Israel will close all government offices in observance of Memorial Day and Independence Day during the three-day break.
BAL Analysis: Travelers applying for visas at Israeli consulates should also anticipate closures or limited business hours and should check the schedules for individual locations.
What is the change? Israeli immigration authorities are increasing employer audits, aiming to ensure that employees have proper documentation to work in Israel.
What does the change mean? Employers should be vigilant to ensure that they are in compliance with all immigration requirements related to employing foreign nationals.
Background: The increase in audits began in February and resulted from the Ministry of Interior’s decision to focus more closely on multinational business operations in Israel. The energy and high-tech sectors have been watched particularly closely.
Audits may be done without prior notice and involve examination of employee passports and other work-related documents. Human resource managers at either the work site or a corporate office should be prepared to show copies of an employee’s visa, time sheets, past three pay slips and employment contract.
Penalties for noncompliance are stiff for employers and employees alike. Employers face fines and possible criminal penalties; employees working without proper visas can be detained and possibly deported.
BAL Analysis: Especially since Israel reintroduced a 30-day work permit, officials are showing no patience for employees working without proper permits or visas. Employers should take note of the audit increase and take steps to make sure all foreign employees are properly employed. It should be noted that almost all employees who have been found to be working illegally in Israel were actually eligible for “foreign expert” B-1 work visas that they did not have. Contact a BAL attorney with any questions on how to ensure that foreign employees have the proper permits or visas for the work they are doing.
What is the change? Israeli government offices will be closed for Election Day, on March 17, and for the Passover holiday from April 3 through April 12.
What does the change mean? Visa and work permit applicants should expect delays during and immediately following the holiday closures.
Background: Consular posts may suspend or limit processing during the times outlined above. Those applying for Israeli visas abroad should check with their local consular post for details on closures and processing.
BAL Analysis: Employers and applicants should prepare for the closures and file time-sensitive applications as soon as possible.