Israel: Employers May Apply for Work Permits and Visas for Preferential Occupations

• Until June 8, employers in Israel have a new opportunity to apply for work permits and work visas to hire foreign nationals in preferential occupations of the industry sector.  
• Applications must be submitted to the Israeli Ministry of Economics no later than June 8, 2021.
• Upon approval, a subsequent application must be sent to the Work Permit Unit, which will issue the approved work permit. 
• This temporary regulation is limited to foreign national applicants from the U.S., most EU countries, Australia, Singapore and a select few other specified countries. 
• There is a maximum quota of 2,000 permits available.
• The list of eligible occupations to hire for is divided into four groups:
  • ​​Group 1: Industrial, manufacturing and mechanical engineers.
  • Group 2: Occupations including electrical/practical/mechanical/field service engineers and technicians, forklift operators, welders, locksmiths, blacksmiths and metalworkers.
  • Group 3: Occupations including inventory clerks (warehouses), machine operators and furniture carpenters.
  • Group 4: Other occupations not specifically listed may also be permitted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Ministry of Economics.

This temporary regulation requires employers to pay a prevailing wage that is lower than the prevailing wage required for employees designated as Foreign Experts.

• Group 1: Minimum required wage is to be 17,205 NIS (local currency) per month.
• ​Groups 2-4: Minimum required wage is to be 13,699 NIS (local currency) per month.