ISRAEL: Immediate Changes to Work Permit Regulations

June 29, 2016


The Work Permit Unit (WPU) of the Ministry of Interior has implemented new regulations for obtaining work permits and visas for foreign experts with immediate effect. It is understood that the implemented changes will also be applicable to pending work permit applications.

The new regulations (originally published in December 2015), include changes to the non-academic work permit scheme, and stricter auditing requirements for work permit extension applications.

Changes to the Non-Academic Work Permit Scheme

The current regulations distinguish between expert professions that require academic qualifications and those that do not. Effective immediately (including pending applications) all applications for non-academic experts must be submitted with the relevant employee-specific affidavit (A-2 form).

Following submission of the work permit application, the application will be reviewed by the WPU, which will in turn determine what additional requirements apply, as a pre-condition to the issuance of the working permit.

The WPU has full discretion to require additional information and requirements for non-academic assignees, typically this includes

  • A bank guarantee deposit of 36,000NIS per employee; and/or
  • Salary to be paid to an Israeli Bank account in the name of the expat; and/or
  • Employment contract to be confirmed by an Israeli lawyer regarding full compliance with the Israeli law; and/or
  • An affidavit signed by the employee in his home country in front of the Israeli consul or apostilled; and/or
  • An affidavit signed by the company.

Stricter Requirements for Extension Applications

According to the regulation, each application for extension of a work permit must include a letter from an Israeli accountant who has reviewed the assignee”s salary during the past year of employment in Israel.

The accountant must audit the salary details of all employees sponsored by the company who have worked in Israel in the last twelve months. The text of the letter is pre-indicated, and no modification will be accepted.

How will this affect you?

Employers and prospective employees are urged to ensure that work permit applications for non-academic assignees are initiated early, preferably four months in advance of the assignment start date.

In addition; Sponsoring companies should review the availability of accounting support, bank account opening options for the employees, bank guarantee mechanism and Israeli lawyer’s confirmation of foreign nationals” contracts of employment to ensure that the above requirements can all be met.

Should you wish to discuss working in Israel, please contact us at [email protected].