Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 5,880 NIS (about US$1,600) gross per month.

Key Points:

• 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.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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.

Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority announced it would extend the validity of some visas due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Key Points:

  • Visas that are due to expire in the coming three months will automatically be extended to at least Feb. 8, 2024.
  • Israeli officials clarified that the extension does not include B/1 foreign worker visas. It does apply to all other visas in Israel, including immigration visas, the four types of long-term A visas and the limited-stay B/2 visitor’s visa.
  • Travel is still severely disrupted due to ongoing hostilities, and many flights to and from Israel have been canceled. Immigration offices in Israel remain closed to the public and visa services are not available in Israel at this time.

‌BAL Analysis: The situation in Israel remains volatile, and immigration and travel rules may change with little or no notice. BAL will continue following developments and will provide updates as information becomes available.

‌This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

‌Copyright © 2023 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 nationals are now eligible for visa-free travel to the United States. Europe officially postpones its travel authorization program. And U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposes big changes to the H-1B lottery.

‌Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s podcast, the BAL Immigration Report, available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts or on the BAL news site.

‌This alert has been provided by the BAL US Practice Group.

‌Copyright © 2023 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.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that visa-free travel for Israeli nationals has begun.

‌‌Key Points:

  • In September, the United States designated Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows eligible travelers to apply online for authorization to travel to the United States through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
  • These authorizations allow successful applicants to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa.
  • Israeli travelers with a valid B-1 or B-2 visa may continue to use their visa for business and tourist travel to the United States.
  • Individuals may apply for travel authorization on the ESTA website. ESTA registration is generally valid for two years or upon expiration of the traveler’s passport, whichever occurs first.

Additional Information: Israel worked for years to obtain entry into the U.S. VWP. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Israel “put forth a significant whole-of-government effort to meet all program requirements, including passing multiple new laws, establishing information sharing systems, and implementing new entry procedures for all U.S. citizens.” Israel will be the 41st member of the VWP.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group.

Copyright ©2023 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.

A proposal to modify the H-1B and F-1 visa programs clears White House review. The U.S. halts visa services in Israel. And an interview with BAL CEO Jeremy Fudge.

Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s podcast, the BAL Immigration Report, available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts or on the BAL news site.

‌This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group.

Copyright ©2023 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.

The United States has halted immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services in Israel amid ongoing security concerns.

‌‌Key Points:

  • Visa services are unavailable at this time at the U.S Embassy in Jerusalem or the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. Non-U.S. citizens in need of emergency visa services should request an expedited appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate other than Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
  • U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza who would like assistance should fill out this crisis intake form, which allows the U.S. State Department to respond to requests from evacuees in leaving or obtaining other routine or emergency passport or citizen services or information.
  • Commercial flight availability remains limited out of Ben Gurion Airport, but the U.S. government is facilitating charter flights and other modes of transportation for U.S. citizens. The State Department said these flights will continue until at least Oct. 19.
  • The Israeli government has extended the validity of work visas until Nov. 9, 2023, for all foreign nationals in the country whose Israeli visas will expire within the next month.
  • Up-to-date information is available on the Embassy’s News & Events and Travel Alerts pages.

BAL Analysis: Visa services are not available in Israel at this time. The situation continues to evolve and travel rules and procedures may change with little or no notice. U.S. citizens in Israel are encouraged to monitor State Department websites for updates. Employers looking to move employees out of Israel can contact BAL at GCITeam@bal.com for information about the options available to them. BAL will continue following the situation and will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group.

Copyright ©2023 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.

Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, prompting a declaration of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fighting is expected to continue. The U.S. Embassy in Israel stated, “The situation in Israel remains dynamic; mortar and rocket fire may take place without warning.”

‌Key Points:

  • The embassy urged U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the embassy to complete this crisis intake form. The embassy will continue to post updates here.
  • The State Department has not provided information indicating that visa processing in Israel has been impacted at this time.
  • Inbound and outbound travelers are urged to exercise caution and plan ahead. Ben Gurion Airport remains open, but many major airlines have suspended air service to and from Israel. Only El Al, Israel’s national airline, and several regional carriers, continue to operate flights at this time. Travelers should continually check for the most recent travel updates, as the situation may change quickly.
  • Israel’s government has extended the validity of work visas until Nov. 9, 2023, for all foreign nationals in the country whose visas will expire within the next month.

BAL Analysis: The situation in Israel continues to evolve and travel rules and procedures may change with little or no notice. U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor State Department websites for updates. Employers looking to move employees out of Israel can contact BAL at GCITeam@bal.com for information about the options available to them. BAL will continue following the situation and will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group.

Copyright ©2023 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.

The Biden administration announced Wednesday that Israel has been designated into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

Key Points:

  • By Nov. 30, the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization will be updated to allow nationals of Israel to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa.
  • ESTA registration is generally valid for two years or upon expiration of the traveler’s passport, whichever happens first.
  • Travelers with a valid B-1 or B-2 visa may continue to use their visa when traveling to the United States.

Additional Information: Israel has worked for years to obtain entry into the U.S. VWP, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement today celebrating the designation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Israel “put forth a significant whole-of-government effort to meet all program requirements, including passing multiple new laws, establishing information sharing systems, and implementing new entry procedures for all U.S. citizens.” Israel will be the 41st member of the VWP. Following updates in Israel’s travel policies, all U.S. citizens may request entry to Israel for up to 90 days for business, tourism or transit without obtaining a visa.

‌This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group.

‌Copyright ©2023 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.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

Israeli government offices will be closed in the coming weeks as the country observes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

Key Points:

  • Closure dates are Sept. 17 for Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 24 and 25 for Yom Kippur and Oct. 1-10 for Sukkot.
  • No work permits or visa applications will be adjudicated on those dates.
  • Israeli consular posts abroad will also close or offer limited services on those dates.

Background: Employers should anticipate that the closures will slow processing. Consequently, they should submit applications before the holidays, if possible. Delays are likely to continue in the days and weeks after offices reopen.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 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.

The Israeli government recently announced that American citizens who hold dual citizenship in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon or Syria may obtain a special permit to enter the country under certain circumstances.

‌Key Points:

  • A new regulation allows Israel’s Minister of the Interior to grant an entry permit to American citizens with dual citizenship in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon or Syria if they demonstrate that their presence serves the interests of Israel.
  • The permit is valid for 90 days. No work activities may be performed during the permit holder’s stay.
  • American citizens with dual citizenship in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon or Syria are otherwise prohibited from entering Israel.

Additional Information: In July, Israel began allowing entry to U.S. citizens of Palestinian origin, who hold Palestinian ID cards or who reside in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. Israel modified its policy in an effort to eventually be admitted to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

‌Copyright © 2023 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.