An Israeli B/1 Work Visa is an authorization to enter Israel under work purposes. The B-1 visa is the general type of work permit for foreign nationals provided by the Israeli law. It is granted by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (MOITAL) in the first instance, and the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in the second instance.
Who Can Apply for B/1 Work Visa?
Everybody that has a concrete job offer in Israel can apply for a Work Visa. The employer / sponsor and the employee are both involved in the work visa and work permit application procedures.
You can apply for a B/1 Work Visa for Israel for jobs that fall under the following categories:
- Specialists Work in Academic Fields, i.e. Engineers for Research and Development Teams, Auditors, Senior Executives, and other Senior Supervisors.
- Specialists Work in Non-academic Fields, i.e. welders, mechanical installers, equipment installers, and any other job that does not require a certificate of education as a precondition for an academic institution of higher education.
- Experts Work Up to 3 Months (STEP), which are those holding a certificate of education at an academic institution of a higher education or relevant vocational training, wishing to stay in Israel for a maximum of three months.
- High Tech Work Visa (HIT), which is for the employment of foreign experts in high-tech and cyber companies.
- Work in Israel up to 45 days (SEA), a new fast track for a permit to work in Israel, which allows within days, the arrival of a foreign expert for a short period (defined and limited) and does not exceed 45 days per calendar year in total. Those applying for this visa only need a work permit to enter Israel. Once they are here, they can apply for their visa at the ministry of Interior. Note that this work visa is available only for those who do not need a visitor visa to enter Israeli.
How to Apply for a B/1 Work Visa for Israel?
When applying for a B/1 Temporary Resident visa for Israel, you will need to complete several procedures and meet certain requirements. Based on how you complete the application process the Israel authorities representing Israel in your country of residence will make a decision on your application.
You must complete these procedures with the utmost attention, in order to make sure you get the visa. Following find the application procedures for an B/1 visa listed in order and clearly explained.
Getting an Israeli Work Permit
You cannot apply for a B/1 Work visa if you do not have a permit to work in Israel first. You employer in Israel is responsible to apply for the work permit for you.
They should submit the application for a Work Permit to the local (municipal) office of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor describing the project, the need for expertise, conditions of employment, and more. The application must meet the regulations and requirements of the Ministry.
This office processes work permit applications initially, and then passes them on to the national office in Jerusalem for further processing.
Once the national office approves the petition for a work permit for you, they will send a form of a written recommendation to the Ministry of Interior to grant you with a work visa. You can then continue the application process for a work visa in your country of residence.
Complete the B/1 Work Visa Application Form
After you receive the confirmation from your sponsor/employer in Israel that you have been approved for a work permit, you should first complete the B/1 visa application form.
You can complete the form with your computer and then print it, or with a pen of any other color than black. The form is available in two languages: English and Hebrew. You can complete it in either language.
It contains questions on your nationality, name, surname, parents’ full names, your occupation and your intended trip to Israel. Do not forget to attach a photo to the application form in the given space.
Gather the required documents
Next, collect the required documents for a B/1 visa to Israel. When applying for a Work Visa to Israel you will have to submit some extra documents than the commonly required documents. These extra documents required for B/1 Israel Visa are as follows:
- Israel B1 Visa application form.
- Two photographs. They must have a plain white background and sized 5.5 cm X 5.5 cm.
- Your valid passport. It must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended duration of stay in the Israel territory and with at least one blank page to affix the visa.
- Older passports. You must submit all passports that you hold, including current/old/cancelled/expired/special passport.
- Proof of booked flight tickets. You do not need to purchase the tickets as if your application is rejected, you will lose your money. You just need a saved seat on a flight to Israel as a proof of the date you intend to travel here.
- Birth Certificate.
- Proof of paid B1 visa fees.
- Certificate of Arabic Language skill. The certificate should be obtained at the relevant authority in your country of residence.
- Medical report. You should submit a certificate of medical examinations performed in clinics or hospitals recognized by the Israeli mission in your country of residence. The certification must cover, among others, normal results in tests for tuberculosis, hepatitis and AIDS and the results of blood tests.
- Police clearance certificate. You should obtain a police verification from the police in your country of residence that confirms you have not committed any crimes in the past years. The certificate should be valid for a minimum three years, but no older than three months.
- Work contract. Submit a copy of the work contract or job offer stating the employer, their contact, your position and salary, as well as the period of employment.
Any documents that are not either in the language of English or Hebrew must be translated and notarized by an Israeli notary or by the Israeli Consulate.
Attend the visa appointment
With all the required documents in your hands, you will have to attend a visa appointment at the visa processing authorities in your country of residence. This could be:
- The embassy of Israel
- A consulate of Israel
- A third-party visa center to which Israel has outsourced visa admission
On the day of your appointment, you will have to meet with a consular officer to whom you will submit the required documents. This person will interview you regarding your application, the intention of your trip to Israel and other details in this regard.
Pay B/1 Work Visa Fee
The fee for and B/1 Visa is €41 for every applicant. If you file your application at a visa-processing center you will have to pay an additional service fee, which cannot be higher than the price of the visa itself.
If you want to compare the other visa fees, you can check our article about Israel visa fees, and learn more.
Israel Visa Processing
The processing times for B-1 work visa applications may take about 12 to 14 weeks. However, if you have a more complicated case, the processing period may be extended.
Exempt are only the applicants for High Tech Work Visas, who applications are processed within 10 working days.
After you arrive in Israel
Once you get your B-1 work visa for Israel you can travel to the country. However, as the embassies grant single-entry one-month valid visas, you will need to apply for the extension of the visa for the entire period of the work permit within one month.
How Long Can I Stay in Israel With a Work Visa?
First, you will get a B-1 visa valid for up to 30 days, which is single entry. As soon as you arrive in Israel, you should apply to the Ministry of Interior for an extended validity, multiple-entry B-1 visa stamp.
The validity of the visa depends on the exact purpose of your entry to the country. However, work visas (B-1) are normally valid for up to one year. Extensions of up to one year each may be requested, but total stay in B-1 status ordinarily may not exceed five years and three months.
Israeli Work Visa Rejection
The Israeli authorities can reject your application for a B/1 work visa for Israel, and they are not obliged to inform you on what grounds you were rejected. Yet, some of the most common reasons why Israeli work visa applications are rejected are as follows:
- You do not meet the requirements to get a work visa for Israel.
- You have a criminal record in Israel and/or abroad.
- You have previously illegally resided in Israel.
- You have previously worked in Israel before an authorization.
- You made a material misrepresentation.
Can I Change My Employer Once in Israel?
The foreign employee may work only for the sponsoring employer, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the approved petition.
How to Extend a B/1 Work Visa?
To extend a B/1 work visa for Israel, you will need to follow the steps listed below:
- Submit work permit extension application to the Work Permit Unit.
- Submission of work permit extension application at the Work Permit Unit. Note that the application should be submitted at least 60 days before the expiration of the work visa.
- Approval of the Work Permit Unit.
- Submit B-1 visa extension application and passports to the Ministry of Interior (MOI).