B/1 work visas for foreign experts: what companies should know before sending staff to Israel

Foreign companies often need to send engineers, technicians, managers or other specialists to Israel, for a few days or for a longer project. This guide explains the basic framework in general terms.

Two approvals: an employment permit and a B/1 work licence

Lawful work by a foreign expert in Israel generally depends on two separate approvals, both handled by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA):

An employment permit, issued to the employer, which allows it to employ a named foreign expert under stated conditions.
A B/1 “expert” visa and residence-and-work licence, issued to the expert, stating the profession approved for employment.

The permit comes first. The B/1 application can be filed only after the permit has been issued. Under the main procedure, both should be obtained before the expert arrives in Israel, even if the expert’s nationality does not need a visa to visit Israel. The expedited short-term track described below works differently.

Who applies

The permit application is filed online with PIBA’s expert permits unit. As a rule, the applicant is an employer lawfully registered in Israel, such as a company, a partnership or a licensed business.

A foreign company without an Israeli branch may also apply, through a representative in Israel holding a power of attorney. Under the main procedure, the power of attorney must be notarised and authenticated by an Israeli diplomatic mission abroad. PIBA may also require a parallel application from the Israeli company that is receiving the services. Applications by foreign or international companies are generally referred to the Ministry of Economy’s Foreign Trade Administration for an opinion.

The main tracks

Two routes are most relevant for foreign companies.

Expedited short-term track (up to 90 days a year). This track is for experts who hold a valid passport of a country whose citizens are exempt from a visitor visa to Israel. It covers a temporary task that needs the expert’s particular skills, such as repairing equipment supplied by the foreign employer. The expert may not stay in Israel for more than 90 days in a calendar year, continuously or in total. PIBA aims to decide these applications within six working days where possible. Once the permit is issued, the expert enters through Ben Gurion Airport. The employer then applies online for the digital B/1 licence within two working days of arrival. This track cannot be extended beyond 90 days. An application is rejected if the expert is already in Israel as a tourist when it is filed.

Regular expert track. For longer assignments, or for experts who do not qualify for the expedited track, the main expert procedure applies. A permit is granted only for recognised categories of experts. These include managers, senior representatives and trusted employees of foreign or international companies; experts paid an “expert salary”; lecturers and researchers; and experts arriving for a temporary or passing task of up to 90 days. Separate procedures add arrangements for recognised high-tech and cyber companies.

Salary conditions

Salary conditions depend on the category. For the “expert salary” category, the expert’s ordinary gross salary must be at least twice the average wage in the Israeli economy, as published by the National Insurance Institute. PIBA may require a higher salary where the usual wage in the relevant field is higher. Overtime and shift payments do not count toward the ordinary salary, and neither do options or shares. Deductions for housing and medical insurance are limited by regulation. Other categories carry their own conditions, so each case needs to be checked against the category that applies.

Typical documents

The exact list depends on the track. In general terms, applications usually include:

the online application form and the relevant declaration;
a reasoned letter explaining why the expert is needed, with supporting material;
a copy of the expert’s passport, with sufficient validity beyond the requested licence period;
the expert’s CV and certificates showing education, experience or expertise, with a notarised translation of any document not in Hebrew or English;
for an Israeli company, copies of recent National Insurance reports on its Israeli employees and an accountant’s confirmation that the company is active;
for a foreign company without an Israeli branch, the power of attorney described above.

Application, licence and annual fees apply according to the official fee schedule, which is updated from time to time. Employers of certain expert categories are exempt from the annual fee.

How the B/1 visa is issued

Under the regular track, once PIBA approves the visa application it informs the relevant Israeli consulate, and the expert collects the visa and licence at the Israeli mission abroad. At that stage the expert generally has to provide a police good-conduct certificate issued within the past year and a recent medical certificate. On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, a licence sticker is issued according to the approved period. Experts approved under these procedures must enter and leave Israel through Ben Gurion Airport only.

Under the expedited track, the expert enters without a work licence and the licence is issued digitally after arrival, as described above.

What a B/1 licence does not cover

A tourist (B/2) visa does not permit work. Short business activities such as meetings, negotiations or exploring investments may be carried out on a B/2 visa. Performing work requires a permit and a B/1 licence.
No switching in Israel. As a rule, PIBA will not convert another type of licence into a B/1 expert licence while the person is in Israel.
One employer, one role. A B/1 expert may work only for the employer that applied, and only in the type of work for which the licence was granted. The expert may not move to another sector.
Other professional licensing. Where a profession needs a separate licence under Israeli law, the employment permit should not be assumed to replace it; the expedited procedure says so expressly.

Official sources

This guide is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements change; each case should be reviewed individually.