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IMPACT – HIGH
The Israeli Health Ministry has updated its list of “green locations” that are deemed to have low COVID-19 infection rates. Travelers from these countries do not need to quarantine when arriving to Israel. Key Points:
Background: Israel introduced the Green list in August. The list of green locations will be updated periodically and can be found at the Ministry of Health website.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Israeli government offices will be closed for extended periods for the upcoming holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
What does the change mean? Applicants should expect delays in mid- and late-September.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate delays and submit applications before the holidays if possible. Israeli consular posts abroad will also suspend operations or operate on significantly reduced schedules. Overseas applicants should contact their relevant Israeli consulate for specific holiday schedules.
Israel has waived quarantine requirements for travelers from 17 “green locations” that are deemed to have low COVID-19 infection rates.
Key points:
Additional Information: The Ministry of Interior has also posted detailed guidance for those departing Israel.
Entry to Israeli airports will be limited to those who have a valid ticket and a clearance form from the Ministry of Health. Airport officials will check temperatures and will deny entry to anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. Passengers ages 7 years and older must wear a face mask at the airport; those ages 6 and older must wear upon boarding the airplane. Passengers are asked to keep at least two meters apart from anyone with whom they do not live. Passengers are also asked to wash their hands and use hand sanitizers when traveling.
Analysis & Comments: The changes will ease entry requirements for travelers from 17 countries and territories. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. For more information, please see Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map.
Israeli authorities have taken steps to make it easier for some B-1 experts who were working in Israel but are currently abroad to return to the country.
Background: Israel has taken a number of steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and most foreign nationals are still barred from entry. Employers can apply for “entry during COVID-19” for qualifying employees at local Ministry of Interior offices.
Analysis & Comments: The change will make it easier for B-1 foreign experts to return to Israel after traveling abroad. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The ban on non-Israeli citizens entering Israel has been extended again.
Key Points:
Analysis & Comments: Israel continues to take aggressive steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. While entry rules have eased somewhat, foreign travelers must be sure to follow applicable entry and exit procedures in order to avoid adverse immigration consequences. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
The Israeli Ministry of Interior has released updated coronavirus instructions for entry to Israel.
Additionally, foreign nationals holding a one-year B-1 expert visa and their families can now travel to their home country and return to Israel with a pre-approved application for re-entry. The COVID-19 re-entry application must be submitted and approved at the Ministry of Interior prior to departure.
Background: Israel has taken a number of steps to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including closing borders to non-Israeli citizens/permanent residents in March. The government has also recently announced the automatic extensions of B-1 work visas held by foreign experts. This extension is not applicable, however, to B-1 (Jewish) Israeli work visas.
Israel recently announced automatic extensions of B-1 work visas held by foreign experts.
Background: Initially, visas were automatically extended in March until June 30.
Analysis & Comments: The B-1 work visa automatic extension is good news because it provides relief to foreign experts working in Israel. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
What is the change? Israel’s borders are now closed. Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior has automatically extended visas until June 30.
What does the change mean? All foreign nationals who are not Israeli citizens or residents of Israel will not be able to enter the country. Foreign nationals currently in Israel will have their visas automatically extended without having to visit an MOI office.
Additional information: Israel’s Population Authority has stated that foreign nationals for whom Israel is “the center of their lives,” are exempted from the border entry ban. Further, extraordinary permission to enter may be granted to foreign nationals working in emergency services in the health and energy sectors. B-1 work visas for foreign experts still require submission of an extension application 60 days prior to expiration.
Analysis & Comments: The border closure will significantly disrupt business activity and employee mobility. The automatic visa extension, however, is good news for employers and their foreign national employees, as businesses deal with the uncertainty and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Israeli government has implemented a quarantine for all inbound travel.
What does the change mean? All travelers to Israel are required to enter a 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival. This new requirement applies to both foreign and Israeli nationals. Foreign nationals will need to prove they have sufficient accommodation for the 14-day quarantine while they are in the country. A hotel room will not be accepted, and proof must be presented to the consulate abroad prior to entering Israel.
Additional information: Prior to the new restriction, the Israeli government implemented a 14-day home isolation requirement for travelers from Austria, mainland China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand. Travelers from those countries were also required to complete this report when traveling to Israel. Israeli nationals and permanent residents who returned to Israel from mainland China were subjected to a home quarantine as well.
Analysis & Comments: The new quarantine policy is Israel’s latest effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Those planning travel to Israel may wish to reconsider their plans. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Israel’s Ministry of Health has added Japan and South Korea to the list of countries from which travel to Israel is banned.
Background: Jurisdictions across the globe have implemented entry bans and other immigration restrictions in order to guard against the spread of coronavirus. Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had “closed land crossings, seaports and airports to arrivals from China.” Israeli nationals and permanent residents were permitted to return to Israel from mainland China, but were subjected to home quarantine. Last week, Israel mandated 14 days of home quarantine for anyone traveling to the country from Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand or Singapore, and then imposed a ban on travel from these countries. The recommendation to additionally bar entry to travelers from Japan and South Korea represents a further escalation in Israel’s response to the coronavirus.
Analysis & Comments: Those planning travel between Israel and China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand are urged to reconsider their plans. Employers must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for employees who are affected by travel restrictions. The response to the coronavirus is evolving rapidly, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.