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

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).