Foreign companies establishing operations in Israel, as well as Israeli companies requiring specialized expertise from abroad, may be eligible to employ foreign professionals under Israel’s Foreign Expert Work Permit framework.
Employing a foreign expert in Israel requires prior authorization. The process generally involves obtaining an employment permit for the company, followed by a B/1 work visa and residence permit for the foreign expert. The applicable requirements depend on the employee’s qualifications, position, salary, and the nature of the employer’s activities in Israel.
Who Qualifies as a Foreign Expert in Israel?
Not every experienced foreign professional qualifies as a foreign expert.
The application must demonstrate that the employee possesses a high level of professional expertise, specialized knowledge, or experience that justifies employing the individual in Israel.
One of the principal routes is the Foreign Expert – Expert Salary category. This route is subject to specific salary requirements, generally requiring the expert’s salary to meet the threshold established by the Population and Immigration Authority based on at least twice the average wage for salaried employees in Israel.
Other categories may apply to certain senior managers, representatives, and trusted employees of foreign or international companies. Selecting the correct category is therefore an important first step in the application process.
Work Permits for Foreign Companies Operating in Israel
Foreign companies frequently require key personnel when establishing a subsidiary, company, branch, project, or other business operation in Israel.
A foreign company may need to transfer specialized know-how, management methods, technology, operational procedures, professional expertise, or international business relationships to its Israeli operation.
However, foreign ownership alone does not create an automatic right to employ foreign personnel.
A successful Israeli work permit application should clearly establish why the particular employee is required, what specialized expertise the employee brings to Israel, and why the position cannot reasonably be filled in the same manner by the existing local operation.
For example, a foreign company establishing real estate or hospitality operations in Israel may require an expert with substantial experience in international real estate development, hotel development, investment analysis, feasibility studies, project management, or international investor relations.
The application should focus on the employee’s actual expertise and responsibilities rather than relying solely on a general job title.
Evidence Supporting a Foreign Expert Application
A properly prepared application should establish a clear connection between:
the company’s activities → the employee’s expertise → the specific need for that expertise in Israel.
Supporting evidence may include the expert’s detailed CV, academic and professional qualifications, employment records, recommendation letters, evidence of significant projects, managerial experience, international business experience, and documentation demonstrating specialized knowledge.
For newly established companies in Israel, the business side of the application is particularly important. The company may need to provide evidence regarding its corporate structure, investment in Israel, business plan, intended operations, projects, contracts or negotiations, and planned recruitment of Israeli employees.
Where relevant, it may also be beneficial to demonstrate that the foreign expert will train local employees and transfer professional know-how to the Israeli operation.
B/1 Expert Visa – The Application Process
The B/1 Foreign Expert Visa process generally consists of two main stages.
First, the employer applies for authorization to employ the foreign expert. The application should explain the company’s activities, the proposed position, the employee’s qualifications, and the business need for employing the expert in Israel.
Following approval of the employment permit, the company proceeds with the application for the employee’s B/1 work visa and residence permit, together with the required documentation and government fees. Depending on the circumstances, further processing may be required through an Israeli consular mission abroad.
Companies should plan the process before the employee travels to Israel. Entry into Israel as a tourist does not authorize employment, and companies should not assume that a visitor can begin working and subsequently convert his or her status to a work visa.
Foreign Experts and Other Foreign Workers
Foreign experts should also be distinguished from foreign workers employed under sector-specific programs.
Israel maintains separate procedures for foreign workers in certain industries. These may involve quotas, sector-specific approvals, government recommendations, and different employment requirements.
Where a foreign company intends to relocate several employees to Israel, each position should therefore be reviewed individually. A senior executive or highly specialized professional may qualify under the foreign expert framework, while other positions may fall under a different regulatory route.
Legal Assistance with Israeli Work Permits
Our firm advises foreign and Israeli companies on Foreign Expert Work Permits, B/1 work visas, and the employment of foreign workers in Israel.
Our services include determining the appropriate immigration and employment route, preparing the company and expert documentation, structuring the professional justification for the application, filing employment permit and B/1 visa applications, and representing clients before the Population and Immigration Authority and other relevant government authorities.
For foreign companies establishing operations in Israel, early planning is particularly important. The corporate structure, proposed position, expert’s