ISRAEL: Limitations on Short Term Assignment Duration and Increase in Government Fees for Working Visa

Dec 30, 2019 | Global

Short Term Assignment Update  

The Israeli Ministry of Interior advised that all short-term assignments will be limited to not more than 90 days within a 180 day period.

The short-term visa categories affected by this change are the following: 

  1.  Short Expert Assignment (SEA) 45 days;

  2.  Short Term Employment Authorization (STEP) 3 months;

  3.  Hi-Tech 90 day visa (HIT 90)

Until recently, companies were able to apply for a new work visa valid at the start of the next year for assignee’s that were employed during the last 3 months of the calendar year in Israel (September – December). By doing this, the company was able to retain the assignee’s for a continuous 6-month period (also known as “The Continuity Effect”). 

In an effort to avoid the Continuity Effect, the Ministry issued this directive to take effect immediately, by which the stay of an assignee on a SEA, STEP or HIT 90 visa is limited to the maximum of 90 days within the six-month period starting from the date of entry. 

For example: if an assignee entered Israel under the STEP visa and worked for 60 days, the employer would only be able to apply for an additional visa of up to 30 days within the six month period. 

 

Israel: Increase in Government Fees for Working Visa in 2020

 

The Ministry of Interior has published the list of government fees for 2020 reflecting a slight increase from 2019. Government fees for a B-1 work visa for more than 6 months will be increase to NIS 10,000 from NIS 9,970 (2019).

In addition, work permit submission fees will be increase to NIS 1,210 from NIS 1,190 (2019).

Related Posts:

BElGIUM: Immigration Update – Minimum Salary Scale 2020

The Brussels region has released the 2020 minimum salary thresholds for foreign employees.

Within Single Permit applications the gross yearly minimum salary level for Highly Skilled workers has been raised to

SAUDI ARABIA: Work Visit Visa No Longer Available

Visa officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have advised that work visit visas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are no longer available. Those currently in the Kingdom under these visas are free to remain through the expiration date.  While they are free upon return to their home country apply for a new work visa (i.e. a visa that allows for conversion to an iqama upon entry into Saudi Arabia), work visit visas are not convertible directly.   The Ministry of Labor’s Assistant Deputy Minister for Labor Policies added the following comments:   A new type of temporary visa is currently under review by the Council of Ministers, details expected in the coming days or week, allowing work for 6 months renewable for another 6 months. These visas will not be convertible, and the same rules will apply to all nationalities.   A list of activities which may be performed under a business visit or tourist visa is being prepared (i.e. “exempt activities”). These activities will likely include sports and entertainment engagements, signing and negotiating agreements and presenting lectures.  While visitors holding such visas may receive financial honoraria, they may not be employed by the sponsor.  While some agencies […]