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The State Department raised its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4. The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem issued a security alert on June 16 directing all U.S. government employees and their families to continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice. The embassy is currently not able to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel.
Key Points:
Additional Information: On June 14, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of family members and non-emergency U.S. government employees. Given the complex and constantly changing security environment, the U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness. Because security incidents often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens should know the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a “red alert” during which mortar, rocket, missile fire and unmanned aircraft system intrusions can occur.
BAL will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.
Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
In response to the ongoing security situation in Israel, the Population and Immigration Authority announced that visas for foreign nationals staying legally in Israel, that were valid as of June 12, 2025, are automatically extended until Sept. 30, 2025.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
The Canadian government announced it will not accept new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2025.
Additional Information: The measure aligns with the government’s 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan and strategy to reduce permanent resident targets over the next three years. The government is implementing new measures to reduce permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025.
As a reminder, the Marom Electronic Travel Authorization — Israel (ETA-IL) is now in effect, and all tourists and business travelers from visa-exempt countries must obtain an ETA-IL form approval before arriving in Israel.
Additional Information: The system is designed to streamline the entry process for visa waiver nationals seeking short-term visits for purposes other than work, volunteering or studying. Once approved, the status is valid for up to two years and allows for stays of up to 90 days maximum per visit, with multiple-entry capabilities.
The online portal will still require individuals to obtain approval prior to their travel and does not replace the discretion of border control officials. Applications must be submitted electronically at least 72 hours before the expected entry date. The system is designed to provide instant approval to eligible travelers.
The government is launching the new system to modernize its entry procedures and provide a more seamless travel experience for visitors. In addition, the new system will attempt to strengthen security measures while continuing to effectively facilitate legitimate travel.
Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 6,248 NIS (about US$1,714) gross per month.
Additional Information: The government also increased application processing fees for 2025, including raising the work permit submission fee to 1,390 NIS. Other notable fee increases include the B-1 work visa and multiple-entry visa rising to 200 NIS and the B-1 one-year employer fee increasing to 11,060 NIS.
Employers hiring foreign nationals must guarantee that their employees receive at least the updated minimum salary and should take the new increased minimum monthly salary and filing fees into account when planning their 2025 budgets.
Israeli officials announced the Marom Electronic Travel Authorization — Israel (ETA-IL) will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Additional Information: The online portal will still require individuals to obtain approval prior to their travel and does not replace the discretion of border control officials. Applications must be submitted electronically at least 72 hours before the expected entry date. The system is designed to provide instant approval to eligible travelers.
BAL Analysis: The government is launching the new system to modernize its entry procedures and provide a more seamless travel experience for visitors. In addition, the new system will attempt to strengthen security measures while continuing to effectively facilitate legitimate travel.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Israeli officials have announced that the new electronic travel authorization system (Marom ETA – IL) has been postponed to Jan. 2025.
Additional Information: The online portal will still require individuals to obtain approval prior to their travel and does not replace the discretion of border control officials. Applications must be submitted electronically at least 72 hours before the expected entry date. The system is designed to provide instant approval.
BAL Analysis: The government is launching the system to modernize its entry procedures while also strengthening security measures.
Israeli officials announced that its new electronic travel authorization system (Marom ETA-IL) will be implemented as of Aug. 1.
Israeli officials have announced that foreign employees in the non-expert category within the industry sector now have until April 14 to submit their work permit applications.
BAL Analysis: The government extended the visas of all foreign workers in the hotel sector only until March 31, 2024. The government also granted a three-month extension to the work licenses for all foreign workers in the domestic nursing and agriculture sectors. An automatic extension for any other foreign worker visa category has not been announced. As such, in the absence of clear government guidelines, clients should consider options carefully and employers should be aware of the expiration dates for their respective employment permits.
Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 5,880 NIS (about US$1,600) gross per month.
• The new minimum monthly salary will apply to foreign nationals employed in short-term employment authorization programs, as well as to 2(a)(5) asylum and protection seekers and general B-1 visa holders.
• Employers seeking to obtain or renew a work permit or who have a pending application on or after April 1 must increase the foreign national’s minimum salary to comply with the new rule. Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary will be rejected.
• The minimum monthly salary update is designed to help align wages with the rising cost of living.
BAL Analysis: Employers hiring foreign nationals must guarantee that their employees receive at least the updated minimum salary. Businesses may see an increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new minimum monthly salary into account when planning their 2024 budgets.