Update on 45-day and 90-day work visas

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Israel has clarified how the validity periods of the 45-day and 90-day work visas are calculated.

What does the change mean? For the 45-day work visa, all visits to Israel made during the same calendar year (including non-business visits) will be counted against the 45-day limit. Those who do not want visits to count against the 45-day calculation should request that they be treated as non-work-related when they apply for their visa. For the 90-day work visa, the validity period begins to run from the date of the work permit approval, not from the date of arrival in Israel.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas affected: 45-day and 90-day B-1 employment visas.
• Business impact: Employees who have made personal visits to Israel during the same calendar year prior to applying for the 45-day work visa should register the visits as non-work-related; otherwise, those visits will be subtracted from the 45 days when the duration is granted.

Background: The 45-day work visas are commonly used for short-term assignments but are limited to 45 days per calendar year. The 90-day work visas are available to visa-waivered nationals only.

Analysis & Comments: Companies should factor in the calculations when assigning foreign nationals to Israel on short assignments, as the resulting validity periods may be shorter than the full 45 or 90 days.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.