Israel: Update regarding B-1 visa for 90 days and upcoming holidays

Executive summary

The Israeli Immigration authorities have confirmed that the B-1 visa for 90 days, can be utilized continuously or intermittently, based on an accumulated 90 days over a calendar year. Previously, the visa could be utilized for one consecutive stay not exceeding a three months period. Each visit to Israel will require a new work permit and visa application. A consular process for the applicant will follow in the overseas Israeli consulate. Standard processing time for obtaining the work permit is approximately six to eight weeks from the date of
the application submission.

During September-October 2019 there will be Elections in Israel and National Holidays, in which the Israeli government offices will be closed

Key issues

Multiple Visits are now permitted under the B-1 visa for 90 days

The Israeli Immigration authorities have confirmed that the B-1 visa for 90 days, can be utilized continuously or intermittently, based on an accumulated 90 days over a calendar year, whereas previously you could utilize the visa for one consecutive stay not exceeding a three months period.

Each visit to Israel will require a new work permit and visa application. A consular process for the applicant will follow in the overseas Israeli consulate.

Standard processing time for obtaining the work permit is approximately six to eight weeks from the date of the application submission.

As a reminder, the salary requirement for the B-1 visa for 90 days is currently NIS 5,300/~ USD 1,500 (subject to annual adjustment), which represents the minimum wage in Israel.

Next steps

Employers will benefit from this change as they can send their employees to Israel multiple times in one calendar year, provided that the total number of days spent in Israel does not exceed 90 days (every hour in a day counts as a full day).

Upcoming holidays in Israel

Please be advised with the following upcoming holidays in Israel, in which the Israeli government offices will be closed:

• General Election day – 17 September 2019, returning to work on 18 September 2019.
• Jewish New Year – 29 September 2019, returning to work on 2 October 2019.
• Yom Kipur and Succot – 8 October 2019, returning to work on 22 October 2019.

During this time no work permits or visa applications will be handled by the authorities and delays can be expected with finalisation of visa applications by the authorities.

Additionally, visa applicants should check with the relevant Israeli consulates abroad regarding specific information during holiday operations.