Experts

**The 21st Century and the Era of Globalization**

The 21st century and the era of globalization have brought many changes to our lives, affecting countries, citizens, and especially companies and organizations. National borders no longer limit business relations. Companies seek expert employees globally, not just locally, and many experts move around the world based on their skills.

The employment of foreign experts is very common in advanced countries. We see a steady flow of experts moving to OECD countries, employed by both small and large companies. Israel recognizes these needs and therefore allows the employment of foreign experts by local or international companies, as long as they meet the conditions and criteria set by the Population and Immigration Authority.

In Israel, foreign experts are permitted to enter under different categories, each with clear criteria suited to the unique employment framework of each field. Individuals who are not Israeli citizens or residents are not allowed to work in Israel unless they obtain a work visa in advance, whether for short or long periods. It is crucial to select the appropriate category based on the employer’s and employee’s needs, as this affects the speed of obtaining the permit, the cost of employing the expert, and the possibility of extending the visas based on the employer’s future needs.

Submitting an inappropriate or inaccurate request can result in the denial of the application, preventing the expert from entering the country. This, in turn, can lead to the cancellation of agreements and severe business damage.

To employ a foreign expert in Israel, the employing company must issue an employment permit for the expert, which is granted by the Permit Department of the Population and Immigration Authority. Additionally, they must issue work visas and re-entry permits for the expert, and in some cases, for accompanying family members as well.

Relevant laws for the employment of foreign workers include the Foreign Workers Law, 1991 (hereinafter: “Foreign Workers Law”), which regulates, among other things, the employer’s obligations towards the worker and the issue of fees to be paid, as well as the Entry into Israel Law, 1952 (hereinafter: “Entry into Israel Law”), which regulates the Minister of Interior’s authority to grant residency and visas in Israel and sets time limits for the issuance of a foreign worker’s license.

Section 3A(g) of the Entry into Israel Law establishes a maximum quota of 5 years and 3 months for the granting of licenses for foreign workers. In other words, a foreign citizen wishing to enter Israel may hold a work license for a maximum period of this duration, and employers must consider this limitation. Moreover, the identity of the employer does not reset the number of years; switching employers does not extend the time limit. However, there are exceptions in specific cases.

The Foreign Workers Law outlines the employer’s obligations when employing a foreign worker, both toward the worker and the authorities. For example, Section 1G mandates a written employment contract that includes the terms of employment. Section 1D obligates the employer to arrange health insurance for the entire employment period at the employer’s expense. Section 1I of the law sets the obligation to pay the necessary fees.

Types of Permits Our Firm Specializes In:

– **Manager, Senior Representative, or Trusted Employee of a Foreign or International Company** – This permit is suitable for cases where a company seeks to employ an expert in a management or senior role with substantial authority. Each company may employ up to two foreign experts under this permit.

– **Foreign Academic Graduate in the High-Tech Profession** – The high-tech field, by nature, requires international collaborations. Therefore, a unique permit has been designed for this sector.

– **Expert with “Expert Salary”** – This permit is suitable for most foreign worker employment cases. Experts with higher education or unique skills that do not require academic training can be employed under this permit. The employer must pay the expert double the average national salary under this permit.

– **Expedited Permit for Up to 45 Days of Work Per Year** – This permit is issued for workers planning to work in Israel for up to 45 days per calendar year. The advantage of this permit is the speed of receiving the permit and visas and fewer document requirements from the employer and expert.

– **Experts Arriving for Short Periods (Up to 90 Days) for Temporary Work** – These permits are suitable for companies looking to employ experts in Israel for temporary and short-term tasks, such as technicians or maintenance personnel arriving to repair or maintain equipment.

– **Foreign Artists** – This permit is suitable for production companies seeking to bring artists to Israel for specific periods.

Additionally, there are special arrangements for foreign investors wishing to enter Israel, particularly those from countries requiring a visa. For example, businesspeople from China or India are eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to enter and exit Israel without submitting separate requests for each visit.

It is also important to note that if the foreign citizen is Jewish but does not wish to make Aliyah, they have the option to receive temporary status in Israel for up to five years, which allows them to work and grants social benefits in Israel. It is also possible to issue work visas for Jews who wish to come to Israel for employment purposes only.

As mentioned, obtaining the permit involves complex bureaucratic work, and choosing the right permit type for the expert is essential. This can save the employer significant costs and shorten the waiting time for the permit.

Our firm has the knowledge, experience, and ability to find the right match based on the required project or position, with many years of experience working with the world’s largest employers in various fields.

It is important to note that non-compliance with the law and employing foreign workers without the appropriate permits and visas can result in high administrative fines and even criminal proceedings against the employer.