Current Operational Status of Government and Immigration Authorities
- Work permit applications and extensions are available on a more limited basis.
- Consular posts are operating normally, subject to local pandemic-related restrictions.
Travel Restrictions
- Israel is easing entry restrictions. Foreign experts holding a work permit, B-1 work visa and multiple entry/re-entry visa; may enter with an “Entry during COVID-19” permission from the Ministry of Interior, obtained by their employer.
- Entry ban for all other non-resident foreign nationals until September 1, except those with extraordinary permission from the Population and Immigration Authority (e.g., granted for staff in emergency services).
Entry, Quarantine and Health Requirements
- Travelers must fill out an online inbound clearance application form no less than 24 hours prior to travel to Israel; following submission, travelers will either be cleared or refused to board the flight.
- Travelers must present an entry clearance to show to officials at the departing airport and must keep the clearance until arrival in Israel (after passport control).
- Travelers must carry health insurance that specifically covers COVID-19 (an email or letter from the insurer ensuring coverage is sufficient)
- 14-day enforced home quarantine for all travelers except those receiving a special exemption or those arriving from a green-listed country (and who have remained in one of these countries for at least 14 days prior to arrival) which currently includes: Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Hong Kong, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Rwanda and Slovenia. For a full update link to countries designation (Green or red) please click here
- Passengers required to quarantine will be required to prove, upon arrival, that they can comply with isolation requirements in order to isolate at home or another suitable accommodation. Those individuals who cannot comply with home isolation requirements will be required to declare their address for the entire isolation period.
- Travelers needed to be in a 14 days quarantine requires special permission to exit Israel before completing quarantine.
- Travelers must submit an application to leave Israel (including their personal information and a health declaration) no more than 24 hours prior to departure. Travelers must also print out a clearance and show it to relevant officials at an Israeli airport. They must keep the clearance until arrival at their destination.
Concessions
- Foreign expert B-1 visa holders and their family members, currently in Israel, can apply to the Ministry of Interior for re-entry permission; allowing them to travel to their home country for vacation and then re-enter Israel.
- B-1 work visas for foreign experts with expiry dates up to June 30 are automatically extended for three months. Short-Term Employment Authorization (SEA) (normally valid up to 45 calendar days per year); Short-Term Expedited Process (STEP) work visa (normally valid up to 90 calendar days per year); and Hi-Tech B-1 Work Visa (HIT visa) (available for up to 90 calendar days per year or for up to one year); with expiry dates up to June 30 are similarly automatically extended for three months.
- B-1 work visas for foreign experts with expiry dates up to August 31 are automatically extended for 10 weeks. Short-Term Employment Authorization (SEA) (normally valid up to 45 calendar days per year); Short-Term Expedited Process (STEP) work visa (normally valid up to 90 calendar days per year); and Hi-Tech B-1 Work Visa (HIT visa) (available for up to 90 calendar days per year or for up to one year); with expiry dates up to August 31 are similarly automatically extended for 10 weeks.
- Israeli authorities have created a special visa type for urgent repairs of machines and installations.
- For urgent repairs work, an Israeli company can apply for a 72-hour work and entry permit. The employer must demonstrate the unique and urgent nature of the entry must and the entry must be approved by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and any other relevant government Ministry (transportation or infrastructure or agricultural – depending on the particular industry). Employees entering under this type of work and entry permit are exempt from 14-day quarantine, but note that the employee is subject to a very restrictive trip and work conditions.
Other Restrictions
- Foreign nationals staying in Israel with visas expiring on or after May 10 are advised to apply for extension promptly. Applications and extensions are available on a more limited basis and these visa holders are not covered by the automatic visa extension.
