IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Israel government has lifted its pre-entry COVID-19 testing requirement for all travelers except those who hold B-2 visitor visas.

Key Points:

  • Travelers who hold B-2 visitor visas must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a negative antigen test taken within 24 before arrival to enter Israel
  • Travelers who hold A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, B-1, B-3 and B-4 visas are exempt from the pre-entry COVID-19 testing requirement.
  • More information regarding Israel’s border measures and entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Entry requirements may change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 will close its offices for the upcoming Passover and Mimuna holidays.

Key Points:

  • Israeli government offices will be closed for almost two weeks, from April 14 through April 26 for Passover and Mimuna.
  • Israeli immigration authorities will not process work permits or visa applications during this time.
  • Consular posts around the world will suspend their operations or limit processing; applicants should check with their local Israeli consulate for specific information on holiday operations.

BAL Analysis: Employers and employees should expect delays and submit applications before Passover and Mimuna, if possible. Israeli consular posts abroad will also suspend operations or operate on limited schedules. Overseas applicants should contact their relevant Israeli consulate for specific holiday schedules.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 has announced a fast track work visa program for eligible Ukrainian nationals.

Key Points:

  • As of March 30, Hi-Tech Israeli companies can obtain a 90-day work visa qualifying individuals who have an employment contract with an Hi-Tech Israeli company. There are two tracks:
    • Eligible under the Law of Return (individuals of Jewish descent). Individuals who are of Jewish descent will receive a 90-day work permit with the possibility of extension. Spouses will be eligible for a work permit at a later stage. This route can lead to full Israel citizenship.
    • Non-eligible under the Law of Return. Ukrainian nationals who are not of Jewish descent will receive a 90-day work permit with the possibility of extension. Spouses will be eligible for a work permit at a later stage.
  • Employees and their families can expect to receive entry clearance within four business days from the application’s submission date.

BAL Analysis: The fast-track program was created to help Ukrainians affected by the invasion. BAL will continue following the immigration and mobility consequences of the invasion and will provide updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 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

The Israeli government has implemented a new regulation for the Hi-Tech Work Visa, allowing companies to hire certain students and recent graduates as hi-tech professionals.

Key Points:

  • Hi-tech Israeli companies can now submit work visa applications for students or recent graduates for the following “hi-tech professions” in Israel:
    • Communication Systems Engineering, Computers, Computer Science, Data Science, Exact Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information Systems, Mathematics, Medicine, Optical/Electro-Optics Engineering, Physics, Software Engineering and Statistics.
  • Current students hired to work in a hi-tech profession can only work part-time, and their salaries do not have to meet the prevailing wage of a foreign expert.
  • Companies can submit applications for individuals who have graduated in the past three years. Salaries for recent graduates working in hi-tech professions must meet the minimum salary requirement per month during the first six months of employment; salaries must be increased to at least 150% of the minimum requirement after six months of employment.

BAL Analysis: Authorities implemented the new regulation in an effort to encourage foreign students to study hi-tech professions in Israel while permitting them to work during school and after graduation.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 has announced that it will ease border restrictions on March 1.

Key Points:

  • Beginning March 1, tourists and foreign workers will be able to enter Israel regardless of their vaccination status.
  • Travelers will be required to have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure. They must also take a second PCR test upon arrival in Israel.
  • Israeli authorities will no longer require travelers to quarantine upon arrival. Israeli citizens returning to the country will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR test.

Additional Information: More information regarding Israel’s border measures and entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Travel restrictions and health requirements may change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 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 – HIGH

The Israeli government has added the U.S. and nine other countries to its red list.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 21, the red list of countries now includes: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the U.K. and the U.S., among other countries.
  • Non-Israeli citizens who have been in or traveled through a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival are not allowed to enter the country.
    • No exemptions to the entry restrictions exist for non-Israeli citizens.
  • Israeli citizens who have been in or traveled through a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival must quarantine at a government-designated hotel until they receive a negative COVID test.
    • After a negative result is received, citizens, regardless of vaccination status, must undergo a seven-day quarantine at home.

Additional Information: A full list of countries categorized by color is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus will make travel to Israel from the aforementioned countries more difficult if not impossible in the days and weeks ahead. Travel restrictions and health requirements may change with little to no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2021 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

The Israeli government recently delayed the plan to allow vaccinated individuals to enter the country without a pre-entry permit until Aug. 1.

Key Points:

  • Inbound foreign nationals, including those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, will be required to apply for pre-entry approval until Aug. 1.
  • Foreign nationals from Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa are currently not permitted to enter the country due to high infection rates.

Additional Information: On June 20, the Ministry of Interior announced that Israel would vacate the pre-entry permit requirement on July 1. However, since that announcement, Israel has seen a spike in virus variant cases, causing the Ministry of Health to delay the plan until Aug. 1. The Israeli government is expected to publish information in the coming weeks detailing which vaccinations will be accepted and what types of vaccination proof will be required.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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@balglobal.com.

The Israeli government recently announced that vaccinated travelers would no longer need a pre-entry permit to enter the country as of July 1.

Key Points:

  • Effective on July 1, vaccinated travelers will be able to enter Israel without a pre-entry permit.
  • The Ministry of Interior is expected to publish information in the coming days detailing which vaccinations will be accepted and what kind of proof of vaccination travelers will need.
  • All inbound foreign nationals still need to apply for pre-entry approval until July 1. Vaccination status will be the primary deciding factor for individuals still needing pre-entry approval.
  • Foreign nationals traveling from Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa are currently not permitted to enter the country due to high infection rates.

Additional Information: Israeli officials also announced that, effective immediately, foreign nationals holding a 45-day, Short Employment Authorization (SEA) work permit will no longer need a pre-entry permit. They must only present a copy of their SEA work permit upon arrival.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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@balglobal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Israeli government recently launched a new entry permit requirement for business visitors.

Key Points:

  • Business visitors now must obtain a special entry permit from the Ministry of Interior.
  • Both the business visitor and the Israeli business sponsor must submit separate electronic applications to the Ministry of Interior. The applications must be supported by detailed information and documentation proving the travel is of extreme necessity and that the business activity cannot be completed outside the country.
  • The applicant must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be eligible for the entry permit and must comply with current home isolation requirements upon entering the country.

Additional Information: All foreign nationals intending to enter Israel must provide a copy of medical health insurance that covers COVID-19-related costs in Israel. Before the flight, travelers must show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Upon arrival, all travelers, including vaccinated individuals, must adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements. Travel from Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and the Ukraine remains suspended until at least June 13.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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

Israel recently updates its list of maximum risk-level countries. The list now includes Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and the Ukraine.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals intending to travel from maximum risk-level countries are banned from entering the country until at least June 13.
  • Israeli citizens and residents are not permitted to travel to any country listed at maximum risk-level unless approval is obtained from the Exceptions Committee.
  • All individuals arriving from a maximum risk-level country, including vaccinated and recovered individuals, are required to quarantine upon arrival in accordance to Ministry of Health protocols.

Additional Information: These protocols are in effect until at least June 13 and may be extended, depending on health conditions in the individual countries.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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.