Israel Begins Issuing B-1 Work Visas Electronically

• Published date: 22 February 2023
• Subject Matter: Immigration, General Immigration, Work Visas
• Law Firm: Mayer Brown
• Author: Mr Paul Justas Sarauskas and John B. Corgan

According to new regulations issued by the Israeli government, foreign nationals seeking to work in Israel may now receive a B-1 work visa in an electronic format. Rather than issue a physical visa sticker, the Israeli government will email a digital B-1 visa sticker to the foreign national's employer at an email address specified during the application process. The new procedure is expected to make applying for a B-1 visa more convenient for employers and employees by eliminating the need for a physical visa sticker.

Background: Israel's B-1 Work Visas

Israel's B-1 work visa is designed for foreign nationals who intend to live and work in Israel for a limited period of time. There are several subcategories of B-1 work visas, including B-1 Expert visas (for workers with special expertise), B-1 Hi-Tech visas (for high tech workers), SEA 90-day work visas (for short-term workers under a streamlined process), and STEP 90-day work visas (for specialist workers under a streamlined process).

To obtain a B-1 visa, the employer must first submit a work permit application to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor (MOITAL). Once the work permit is approved, the employer may apply for the B-1 visa through the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Although the B-1 visa application is made online, applicants are typically required to appear in person at an Israeli consulate for an interview before the visa will be issued. (An exception applies to B-1 SEA 90-day work visa applicants.)

In the past, applicants were issued a physical visa sticker in their passport after the consular interview, but under the new regulations, the visa will be issued by email. B-1 visa holders have also previously been required to apply to the MOI for a separate multiple entry visa after arrival in Israel. Under the new regulations, these multiple entry visas will also now be issued electronically. Physical passport...