Everybody who has a specific job offer in Israel must apply for a Type B/1 work visa. the employer/sponsor and employee participate in the work visa and work permit processing procedures.

What is a B/1 work visa?

An Israeli B/1 work visa is a permit to enter Israel for work purposes. A B/1 visa is a general type of work permit for foreign citizens provided for by Israeli law. It is provided by the Ministry of Industry, trade and labor (MOITAL) in the first instance, and the Ministry of the Interior of Israel (MIA) in the second instance.

This visa is valid for 30 days. To work in Israel for more than 30 days, employees will also need to obtain a work permit. They can apply for an Israeli work visa and work permit at the same time.

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Who can apply for a B/1 work visa?

You can apply for a B/1 work visa to Israel if you fall into the following categories:

• Specialists working in academic fields, namely engineers for research groups, auditors, supervisors, and other senior managers;
• Specialists working in non-academic fields, namely welders, installers, equipment installers and any other jobs that do not require a certificate of education as a prerequisite for a higher educational institution;
• Experts working for up to 3 months (STEP), namely having a certificate of education in an academic higher education institution or appropriate professional training, who wish to stay in Israel for a maximum of three months;
• High-tech work visa (HIT), which is intended for employment of foreign experts in high-tech and cyber companies;
• Work in Israel for up to 45 days (SEA), a new fast way to obtain a work permit in Israel, which allows a foreign Specialist to arrive within a few days for a short period (defined and limited), not exceeding 45 days. Those who apply for this visa only need a work permit to enter Israel. When they arrive here, they can apply for a visa at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Please note that this work visa is only available for those who don’t need a guest visa to enter Israel.

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How do I apply for a B/1 work visa to Israel?

When applying for a B/1 visa for temporary residence in Israel, you will need to complete several procedures. Based on how you complete the application process, the authorities representing Israel in your country of residence will decide on your application.

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How do I get a work permit in Israel?

You can’t apply for a B/1 work visa unless you initially have a work permit in Israel. Your employer in Israel is required to apply for a work permit for you.

They must submit an application for a work permit to the local (municipal) Department of the Ministry of industry, trade and labor with a description of the project, the need for expertise, employment conditions, etc. The application must comply with the norms and requirements of the ministry.

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This local authority first processes work permit applications and then submits them to the National Office in Jerusalem for further processing.

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After the National Agency approves the application for a work permit for you, they will send a written recommendation form to the Ministry of internal affairs to grant you a work visa. You can then continue the process of applying for a work visa in your country of residence.

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How do I fill out a work visa application form?

After you have received confirmation from your sponsor/employer in Israel that you have received a work permit, you must fill out the B/1 visa application form.

You can fill out the form using a computer and then print it out, or use a pen of any color other than black. The form is available in two languages: English and Hebrew. You can create it in any language. You can fill out the application form here. 

The questionnaire contains questions about your nationality, first name, last name, full names of your parents, your employment and planned trip to Israel. Don't forget to attach the photo to the questionnaire in the designated place.

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What documents are required to apply for a work visa?

To obtain a B/1 work visa to Israel, the following documents are required:

1. Visa application form to Israel B/1;
2. Two photos. They should have a normal white background and a size of 5.5x5.5;
3. Your valid passport. They must have at least one blank page to secure their visa;
4. Old passports;
5. Confirmation of booked air tickets. You don't need to buy tickets, because if your application is rejected, you will lose your money. You just need a saved seat on your flight to Israel as proof of the date you are going to travel here;
6. Birth certificate;
7. Confirmation of payment of the B1 visa fee;
8. Certificate of proficiency in Arabic. The certificate must be obtained from the relevant authority of your country of residence;
9. Medical report. You must provide a certificate of medical examinations performed at clinics or hospitals recognized by the Israeli representative office in your country of residence; an updated police report detailing any sentences;
10. Employment contract. Provide a copy of the employment contract or job offer indicating the employer, their contact person, your position and salary, as well as the period of work.

Any documents that are not written in English or Hebrew must be translated and notarized by an Israeli notary or the Israeli consulate.

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Attend Visa Reception

Having all the necessary documents, you will have to attend a visa application to the authorities of your country of residence. It can be:

• Israeli Embassy
• Israeli Consulate
• A third-party visa application center to which Israel transferred the visa application

On the day of the reception, you will have to meet with a consular official, to whom you will submit the necessary documents. This person will interview you about your application, your intention to travel to Israel, and other details about it.

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What is the cost of the fee?

The B/1 visa fee is EUR 41 per applicant. If you apply to a visa application center, you will have to pay an additional service fee, which can’t exceed the price of the visa itself.

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What is the processing time for a work visa application?

The processing time for B/1 work visa applications can last from 12 to 14 weeks. However, if you have a more complex case, the review period may be extended.

Only applicants for a high-tech work visa are exempt, whose applications are considered within 10 working days.

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Upon arrival in Israel

After receiving a B/1 work visa to Israel, you can travel to the country. However, since embassies provide one-time monthly visas, you will need to apply for a visa extension for the entire period of validity of your work permit within one month.

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How long can I stay in Israel with a work visa?

First, you will receive a B/1 visa for up to 30 days, which is a one-time Visa. Once you have arrived in Israel, you should contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain a multiple-entry B/1 visa with an extended validity period.

The validity period of the visa depends on the exact purpose of your entry into the country. However, work visas (B/1) are usually valid for up to one year. An extension of up to one year can be requested, but the total stay in B/1 status usually cannot exceed five years and three months.

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Refusal of an Israeli work visa

The Israeli authorities may reject your application for a B/1 work visa for Israel, and they aren’t required to tell you on what grounds you were refused. However, some of the most common reasons why applications for a work visa to Israel are rejected are as follows:

• You don’t meet the requirements for obtaining a work visa to Israel;
• You have a criminal record in Israel and / or abroad;
• Have you previously lived illegally in Israel;
• You previously worked in Israel before getting a permit;
• You have provided significant incorrect information;

Can I change my employer in Israel?

A foreign employee can only work for a sponsor employer, according to the terms of the approved permit.

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How do I extend my B/1 work visa?

To extend your B/1 work visa to Israel, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Apply for an extension of the permit to the Department for obtaining work permits;
2. Please note that the application must be submitted at least 60 days before the expiration of the work visa;
3. Approval of work permits by the Department;
4. Apply for a B/1 visa and passport extension to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Mia).