IL country scene

B/1 Expert Work Visa — foreign expert

IsraelTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

Foreign experts with a unique expertise that is not available in Israel, including "expert wages" experts with a proven high level of expertise or essential knowledge for the employer's service that is unavailable in Israel.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/request_for_working_permit_expert_foreign_workers_procedure/en/5.3.0041en.pdf
    **a.2.** A “foreign worker expert” (hereinafter, “expert”) is a foreign worker with a unique expertise that is not available in Israel, whose employment has been permitted by the commissioner, at his sole discretion and under the terms prescribed by him, and considering, inter alia, the international commitments of the State of Israel, the provisions of the law, relevant government decisions and nature of the labor market in various fields and employment regions.
  • https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/request_for_working_permit_expert_foreign_workers_procedure/en/5.3.0041en.pdf
    **c.4.k. “Expert wages” expert** – with proven high level of expertise or essential knowledge for the service provided by the employer and unavailable in Israel, where the base monthly wages paid to such foreign expert is not lower than twice the average wages of a salaried employee. The commissioner may condition the issue of a permit upon an undertaking to pay higher wages than specified above, if the average normal wages in the industry in which such foreign expert is required is higher than the national average, at his sole discretion.

What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

A proven high level of expertise or essential knowledge unavailable in Israel, with a base monthly wage not lower than twice the average wages of a salaried employee (the commissioner may require higher wages); the employer attaches the resume and diplomas, degrees and certificates showing education, qualifications, experience, reputation and/or expertise.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/request_for_working_permit_expert_foreign_workers_procedure/en/5.3.0041en.pdf
    **c.4.k. “Expert wages” expert** – with proven high level of expertise or essential knowledge for the service provided by the employer and unavailable in Israel, where the base monthly wages paid to such foreign expert is not lower than twice the average wages of a salaried employee. The commissioner may condition the issue of a permit upon an undertaking to pay higher wages than specified above, if the average normal wages in the industry in which such foreign expert is required is higher than the national average, at his sole discretion.
  • https://www.gov.il/en/service/working_permit_for_foreign_workers
    - When applying for a new expert foreign worker permit, attach their resume and relevant diplomas, degrees and certificates, indicating education, qualifications, experience, reputation and/or expertise.

Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

Yes. An Israeli employer applies for a permit to employ the expert; in general the application is submitted by a company/partnership/licensed business registered in Israel, or by a foreign company through a power of attorney certified at an Israeli mission.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.il/en/service/working_permit_for_foreign_workers
    ## Israeli employers can use this service to apply for a permit to employ an expert foreign worker in the various regulated industries.
  • https://www.gov.il/en/service/working_permit_for_foreign_workers
    - The service is available for Israeli employers.
  • https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/request_for_working_permit_expert_foreign_workers_procedure/en/5.3.0041en.pdf
    **c.3.** In general, an application for a permit to employ a foreign expert shall by submitted by a company / partnership / licensed business lawfully registered in Israel, and the applicant shall attach to its request an extract of registration of such company / partnership / business, as the case may be. If the requesting Employer is a foreign company with no branch / office in Israel (hereinafter, a “**foreign company**”), a power of attorney certified at an Israeli mission aboard, shall be required, authorizing the submitter to handle the application on behalf the foreign company. It should be emphasized that in cases where the request is submitted by a foreign company, the Authority, at its sole discretion, may demand that a concurrent application be submitted by the relevant Israeli company.

Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

The expert may not work in any other sector while in Israel. Family: generally the expert may be joined by first-degree family members (spouse and minor children up to the age of 18), except experts in professions not requiring academic education approved on an undertaking to pay at least double the average wage, and experts on temporary tasks of up to 90 days. The official source does not state whether the holder may change employer, work independently or start a business.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Changing employer, self-employment or starting a business are not addressed in the procedure text read.

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

Permits are first valid for up to two years for expert-wage experts in professions requiring higher academic education, and up to one year for experts in fields not requiring higher academic education; extensions cannot exceed an accumulated 63 months under a B/1 work licence, and the worker must leave Israel at the end of the licence period.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/request_for_working_permit_expert_foreign_workers_procedure/en/5.3.0041en.pdf
    **c.6.h.** Approved permits shall first be valid for a maximum period of up to two years for employers of experts recognized as managers, senior representatives or trusted employees of foreign or international companies, experts for expert wages in professional requiring higher academic education, lecturers / researchers in higher education institutes, medical interns or experts in hospitals, senior staff in shipping or airline companies, and all subject to the required period in accordance with the application and at the discretion of the commissioner. In case of other experts, including foreign experts whose employment has been approved in fields that do not require higher academic education, with an undertaking to pay expert wages, permits shall be valid for a maximum period of up to one year, in accordance with decision of the commissioner. The validity of permits may be extended for maximum periods as specified in the permit when first issued, but not more than an accumulated period of 63 months for a foreign expert working in Israel under a B/1 work license.
  • https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/request_for_working_permit_expert_foreign_workers_procedure/en/5.3.0041en.pdf
    **a.12. A foreign worker arrives in Israel for temporary work only, and is required to leave Israel at** **the end of his license period. The work license of a foreign worker shall not be extended** **beyond 63 months from the date of his first entry into Israel with a B/1 visa and work** <u>license.</u>

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Your story.
Your next step.

Get your free results