Corona Updates

January 6th, 2022
Starting January 9th, 2022, the entry to Israel will be allowed for foreigners who are coming from Normal Risk Countries (Orange List), if they are vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19. Foreigners will be asked to fill an online entry statement form in advance to their entry to Israel and include vaccination certificate. They will also need to perform a PCR test or an antigen test before Boarding the plane to Israel. Once they enter Israel, they will be asked to perform another PCR test. They will then need to enter self isolation until they receive a negative result on that PCR test or for 24 hours. Foreigners that are not vaccinated or in a recovering stage will not be allowed to enter Israel. Foreigners travelling to Israel from High Risk Countries (Red countries) - except those whose entry has been approved by the “Exceptions Committee” - will not be allowed to enter Israel. The following countries are considered RED: United Arab Emirates, U.S.A., Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey. Low Risk Countries (Yellow List) - At the moment there are no countries that are listed as yellow countries. Normal Risk Countries (Orange List) - All countries that are not on the Red or Yellow categories (lists).
More Information

January 6th, 2022

Starting January 9th, 2022, the entry to Israel will be allowed for foreigners who are coming from Normal Risk Countries (Orange List), if they are vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19. Foreigners will be asked to fill an online entry statement form in advance to their entry to Israel and include vaccination certificate. They will also need to perform a PCR test or an antigen test before Boarding the plane to Israel. Once they enter Israel, they will be asked to perform another PCR test. They will then need to enter self isolation until they receive a negative result on that PCR test or for 24 hours.

Foreigners that are not vaccinated or in a recovering stage will not be allowed to enter Israel.

Foreigners travelling to Israel from High Risk Countries (Red countries) – except those whose entry has been approved by the “Exceptions Committee” – will not be allowed to enter Israel. The following countries are considered RED: United Arab Emirates, U.S.A., Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey.

Low Risk Countries (Yellow List) – At the moment there are no countries that are listed as yellow countries.

Normal Risk Countries (Orange List) – All countries that are not on the Red or Yellow categories (lists).

December 23rd, 2021

In view of the changing instructions regarding Work Visa and Foreign Experts, hereinafter is a CURRENT summary regarding the COVID-19 special requirement. Please note that the Ministry of Interior’s rules regulations are frequently changing and we encourage you to speak with one of our attorneys first before you plan your projects, your work or your trips to Israel. For more information, you can schedule a meeting with us.

  1. One Year Application –
    1. New Applications: A foreign expert applying for a NEW 1-Year Work Visa, does not need a special COVID-19 recommendation from the Israeli Ministry Of Interior (MOI). Nonetheless, he will need a Boarding Permit that will allow him to board a plane heading to Israel. This Boarding Permit will be issued to the foreign expert during his interview at the Israel consulate abroad (Step 3 of the process);
    2. Extension Applications:
      – A foreign expert that is physically present in Israel and is applying for an extension to his current valid Work Visa does NOT need a special COVID-19 recommendation from the Israeli MOI.
      – If this foreign expert employee has a valid Multiple Entry visa (together with a valid B-1 work visa), s/he may leave Israel and come back without any special arrangements before or after leaving Israel, as long as s/he is vaccinated according to the Israeli Ministry of Health current rules. Boarding Permit is also not necessary.
  2. A 45 days application (extended to up to 90 days) – A foreign expert that is applying for a short term visa (extended to up to 90 days) is required to have a special COVID-19 recommendation from the MOI. To do so, a separate application will need to be submitted to the relevant ministry office (usually the ministry of commerce) prior to submitting the application for a Work Visa. The application for the Work Visa will be processed only if the special required recommendation is approved.

December 16th, 2021

As you are aware, the Israeli government has decided to update the classification of countries worldwide into three categories:

  1. High Risk Countries (Red);
  2. Low Risk Countries (Yellow);
  3. Normal Risk Countries (Orange);

High Risk Countries (Red List) – This list currently includes 50 countries that are mainly in the African continent. Nonetheless, as of December 17th, 2021 the following countries will be added to this list: The United Kingdom and Denmark. Please see the complete list here.

Foreigners that are present in one of these countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are not allowed to enter Israel. In addition, they cannot ask to travel from Israel to these countries, unless they receive a special approval of the “Exceptions Committee”.

Medium Risk Countries (Orange List) – All countries that are not on the Red or Yellow categories (lists).

Foreigners that are present in the Orange List countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are allowed to enter Israel. However, they will be asked to go into 14 days self-isolation once they enter (regardless if they are vaccinated/recovered or not).

Low Risk Countries (Yellow List) – At the moment there are no countries that are listed as yellow countries.

Foreigners that will be present in one of these countries, will be allowed to enter Israel. If they are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus, they do not need to go into self-isolation. Otherwise, they will need to go into 14 days self-isolation.

November 29th, 2021

Due to the outbreak of the new “Omicorn” COVID-19 variant, starting from November 27th, 2021, the entry to Israel will only be allowed for foreign experts who are considered “essential”, with an already approved Work Permits and subject to a recommendation from a relevant government ministry. These regulations are valid for 14 days. They might be extended after those 14 days according to the COVID-19 situation in Israel.

In applications for up to 45 days – which is now extended to 90 days work permit and work visa in an expedited process – the Boarding Permit (the document that permits the entry to Israel) will be issued by the Work Permit Unit (WPU) when they approve the application.

In applications for 3-months or 1-Year work visas, the Boarding Permit will be issued by the Israeli consulate aboard (usually this is Step 3 of the Work Visa process).

In addition to the above, the Israeli government has decided to update the division of countries worldwide into the three categories:

  1. High Risk Countries (Red);
  2. Low Risk Countries (Yellow);
  3. Normal Risk Countries (Orange);

High Risk Countries (Red List) – This list currently includes 50 countries that are mainly in the African continent. Please see the complete list here.

Foreigners that are present in one of these countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are not allowed to enter Israel. In addition, they cannot ask to travel from Israel to these countries, unless they receive a special approval of the “Exceptions Committee”.

Medium Risk Countries (Orange List) – All countries that are not on the Red or Yellow categories (lists).

Foreigners that are present in the Orange List countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are allowed to enter Israel. However, they will be asked to go into 14 days self-isolation once they enter (regardless if they are vaccinated/recovered or not).

Low Risk Countries (Yellow List) – At the moment there are no countries that are listed as yellow countries.

Foreigners that will be present in one of these countries, will be allowed to enter Israel. If they are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus, they do not need to go into self-isolation. Otherwise, they will need to go into 14 days self-isolation.

October 31st, 2021

As of November 1st, 2001, the Population and Immigration Authority has removed the requirement to prove that the work is required for the continued operation when applying for a 45 day work permit for foreign experts (“COVID-19 waiver”).

The new regulations refer to foreign experts who meet the “Green Pass” restrictions for foreign experts who had been vaccinated with a vaccine that had been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or if they have recently recovered from COVID-19 subject to the Israeli Health Ministry requirements.

A foreign expert that does not comply with the above requirements, but is still needed in to perform work In Israel, must obtain a COVID-19 waiver from the relevant government authority, as it was customary during the last 18 months.

September 3rd, 2021

Further to the update we sent on August 11th, 2021, the Israeli government has decided to update the division of countries worldwide into the three categories:

  1. High Risk Countries (Red);
  2. Low Risk Countries (Yellow);
  3. Normal Risk Countries (Orange); 

The updated restrictions are in effect since August 31st, 2021.

High Risk Countries (Red List) – This list currently includes 4 countries: Bulgaria, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey. Note: Georgia, India and Spain are no longer part of this list.

Foreigners that are present in one of these 4 countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are not allowed to enter Israel. In addition, they cannot ask to travel from Israel to these countries, unless they receive a special approval of the “Exceptions Committee”.

Low Risk Countries (Yellow List) – This list currently includes 10 countries: Bahrain, Hong Kong, Hungary, Taiwan, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Slovakia, Poland and The Czech republic. Note: Austria and Moldova are not part of this list anymore.

Foreigners that are present in one of these 10 countries are allowed to enter Israel. If they are vaccinated or have recovered they do not need to go into self-isolation. Otherwise, they will need to go into 14 days self-isolation.

Normal Risk Countries (Orange List) – All countries that are not on the Red or Yellow categories (lists).

Foreigners that are present in the Orange List countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are allowed to enter Israel. However, they will be asked to go into 14 days self-isolation once they enter (regardless if they are vaccinated/recovered or not).

August 11th, 2021

The Israeli government has decided that starting August 16th, 2021 countries worldwide will be divided into one of three categories:

  1. High Risk Countries (Red);
  2. Low Risk Countries (Yellow);
  3. Normal Risk Countries (Orange);

High Risk Countries (Red List) – This list currently includes six countries: Bulgaria, Brazil, Georgia, Mexico Spain and Turkey. (Note: India is no longer part of this list.)

Foreigners that are present in one of these six countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are not allowed to enter Israel. In addition, they cannot ask to travel from Israel to these countries, unless they receive a special approval of the “Exceptions Committee”.

Low Risk Countries (Yellow List) – This list currently includes 10 countries: Austria, Australia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Taiwan, Moldova, New Zealand, China, Singapore and The Czech republic.

Foreigners that are present in one of these 10 countries are allowed to enter Israel. If they are vaccinated or have recovered they do not need to go into self-isolation. Otherwise, they will need to go into 14 days self-isolation.

Normal Risk Countries (Orange List) – All countries that are not on the Red or Yellow categories (lists).

Foreigners that are present in the Orange List countries (or were present in these countries in the past 14 days) are allowed to enter Israel. However, they will be asked to go into 14 days self-isolation once they enter (regardless if they are vaccinated/recovered or not).

July 19th, 2021

The Ministry of Health has amended the Israeli Public Health Order. Starting from today (July 15th, 2021) at midnight it is possible to shorten the Self Isolation period.

The self-isolation period can be shortened for Israelis and foreigners who are entering Israel or come in contact with a person that tested positive for COVID-19.

In order to do that, there is a need for two negative COVID-19 tests to be performed as follows:

First Test – as close as possible to the entrance to the self-isolation.

Second test – can be conducted starting from the seventh day of self-isolation, and at least 24 hours after the first test. 

From the moment of receiving the second negative test result the self-isolation period ends. There is no need to wait for a formal message from the Ministry of Health.

Please note that the full self-isolation period, without the new shortening process is 14 days from the day of entrance to Israel of the day of contact with the person tested positive for COVID-19.

June 27th, 2021

In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Israel, the Ministry of Health has announced as of June 25th, 2021, people in Israel (including foreign workers and experts) are required to wear a surgical mask in closed spaces and areas, except at the permanent place of residence.

This obligation does not apply in the following cases:

  1. Minors under the age of 7.
  2. A person who is not able to wear a mask due to a disability.
  3. A person staying alone in a closed or separated place.
  4. Two employees who work regularly in the same room.
  5. A person who performs a sports activity.

 The Ministry of Health now also recommends wearing masks even in multi-participant gatherings in open areas.

June 24th, 2021

Departure to countries at that are high risk in terms of COVID-19 (Black Countries): India, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and Argentina, will be made by submitting an application to the Exceptions Committee.

Under the Israeli Entry Law, until July 1st, 2021, decisions regarding the entry of foreigners and foreign experts will be examined according to a number of criteria, when the leading criteria being that the foreigner must be vaccinated (2 doses).

Foreigners and foreign experts who are not vaccinated are required to go into self-isolation for 10 or 14 days in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. Children up to 6 years old who are not vaccinated are allowed to enter if their parents meet the criteria above.

There are no restrictions on departing Israel for foreigners and foreign experts, however, their entry will not be allowed if they are coming from countries who are considered as Black countries in terms of COVID-19 (India, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and Argentina) this list is updated from time to time by the Ministry of Health, except in exceptional cases: Parents of an Israeli bride or groom OR foreign workers who were vaccinated in Israel and went on vacation abroad.

Starting July 1st, 2021 foreigners and foreign experts who are vaccinated – will be allowed to enter without the need for prior approval. Further details on the matter (list of countries and types of vaccines) are currently being formulated by the Ministry of Health and will be published shortly.

All the rules also apply to the land crossings that are active today and to the Arava crossing that will open to the Israelis crossing on July 4th, 2021.

June 17th, 2021

As of June 15th, 2021, the obligation to wear a surgical mask in Israel has been removed, exceptin a few cases, the two of them that are more relevant are:

  1. Individual in Flights departing or arriving to Israel.
  2. Individual while on their way to their self-isolation apartment or motel.

 In other words, foreign experts will need to wear surgical mask in the plane heading to Israel and will need to wear surgical mask while they are on their way to their self-isolation apartment or of motel. This rule applies to the foreign employees, even if they have been vaccinated (2 doses) and might receive an exemption from self-isolation

after they enter Israel.

June 15th, 2021

In view of the improvement of the COVID-19 situation in Israel and also around the world, the Israeli Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration has

decided to extend the reliefs for foreigners asking to be admitted to Israel and change the process of issuing an approval to enter Israel.

The ministry of interior will publish, in the upcoming days, instructions for an easier and faster process to issue approvals to enter Israel for foreigners, including foreign experts that have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 doses). The new process is expected to start from July 1st, 2021.

Moreover, as you are aware, every passenger entering Israel is required to perform a COVID-19 test when arriving to Israel (in addition to the COVID-19 test that needs to be taken up to 72 hours before arriving to Israel).

According to the latest decision of the Israeli Ministry of Health, these tests will now cost 80 NIS (instead of being free of charge) and these fees will need to be paid BEFORE the passenger arrives to Israel using this link.

May 27th, 2021

A Foreign Expert that enters Israel needs to present two negative PCR tests, in order to get out of quarantine — the first one should be presented upon entering Israel, and the second one is can be conducted starting from the ninth day of quarantine.

In other words, two negative PCR test are required for the purpose of exiting quarantine.

It is not sufficient to only perform the second PCR test to be able to exit quarantine, the foreign expert is not allowed to exit quarantine before he receives the second negative PCR test result.

Please note that these instructions are relevant for foreign expert that did not receive the vaccination or did not recover from COVID-19.

May 23rd, 2021

The Population and Immigration Authority published an important update to an existing guideline. They decided to allow Israeli employers to apply for permits for Skilled

Foreign Workers Visa in the Israeli industry, even for foreign experts with valid work permits and work visas for foreign experts. A Work Permit, according to these instructions, will allow the employer to pay a salary at the rate of 130% of the average monthly wage in Israel (and in some circumstances higher salaries), rather than having to pay at least 200% of the average monthly wage in Israel. This is up to 70% of in a saving of a saving of the

employee’s basic salary.

Under the new guidelines, an Israeli employer in the manufacturing industry who holds a Work Permit for a Foreign Expert can apply to convert the work permit from a foreign expert work permit to a foreign specialist work permit.

If the application is accepted, the employer will be able to enter into a program that will allow employment permits until December 31st, 2021.

An application to be part of this program (which is under a cap of 2,000 foreign employees in a year) needs to be submitted or by May 27th, 2021.

In view of the above, in case you have stand with the criteria mentioned above and you have a foreign expert in Israel and you intend to extend his/her stay in Israel after the expiration of his current work visa, we recommend that we discuss this the matter ASAP.

Please also note that this new update is only relevant for citizens of countries that have a GPD per capita that is equal or higher than Israel’s GPD.

May 9th, 2021

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in various countries around the world, and the outbreak of various variants that could endanger public health the Ministry of Health has decided to prevent the entry of any foreigners (including foreign experts) from the following

countries:

Ukraine, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico and Turkey.

Any Boarding Permits that were issued to foreign workers from these countries before May 1st, 2021 are not valid anymore. 

April 21st, 2021

Foreign experts who recovered or received the vaccine abroad must go into isolation upon arrival; but they can apply for an exemption if

They take a serological test in one of the Ministry of Health accredited laboratories;

If the serological test result is positive, they must apply for an exemption from isolation by filling out the online form. Applicants must attach the positive serological test result taken in Israel, in addition to documents of any positive PCR test, antibody test or serological test taken abroad, which show infection with coronavirus or an officially certified confirmation of recovery. 

The foreign expert must wait at least 10 days between testing positive for coronavirus and taking the serological test.

March 24th, 2021

During next week, Sunday, March 28th, 2021Saturday, April 03rd, 2021, the Population and Immigration Authorities and the Ministry in Interior Offices will be closed due to the Jewish Pesach Holiday.

The will resume activity on Sunday, April 4th, 2021.

Our offices will be closed only on Sunday March 28th, 2021 and we will resume activity on Munday, March 29th, 2021.

February 21st, 2021

As of February 21st, 2021 the COVID-19 lock down in

Israel has been lifted.

However, the Israeli government has decided that the Ben Gurion Airport

will remain closed until March 6th, 2021 and therefore, the

MOI will not issue Boarding Permit until then.

February 21st, 2021

Activity times of the Population and Immigration Authority during the Jewish Holiday Purim (2021). On Thursday, February 25th, 2021 (Ta’anit Esther) the units will be open for audiences – between 08:00 – 12:00, subject to scheduling an appointment beforehand. except at following units that will remain closed during the corona period: Ariel, Kiryat Shmona,

Sderot, the western Negev (Netivot) and Dimona.

On Sunday, February 28th, 2021 (Shoshan Purim) the units will be open for audience between 08:00 – 12:00, subject to scheduling an appointment beforehand. except for the closed bureaus during the corona period: Ariel, Kiryat Shmona, Sderot, the western Negev (Netivot) and Dimona.

In addition, please see specific instructions regarding the following units:

Jerusalem South-Har Homa – closed to the public.

Ma’ale Adumim – closed to the public.

East Jerusalem – Open by appointment only.

Jerusalem Central – open by appointment only.

February 9th, 2021

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has expanded their activity and we can now schedule appointment for meeting at the MOI.

All MOI branches will be open in accordance with the “Purple Certificate”, except for the following branches, which will not be opened: Ariel, Kiryat Shmona, Sderot, Netivot and Dimona.

 
However, due to the fact that the Ben Gurion Airport is still closed this still does not benefit foreign experts that are currently abroad.
 
See here for more information.
 

February 1st, 2021

Following the government’s (January 26, 2020) decision to close the Ben Gurion Airport for departure and arrivals and in order to complete the joint efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, the minister of Interior has announced today (Wednesday) that the land border crossings (Jordan River, Taba, Arava) will be closed to Israelis and foreigners. See here for more information.

January 28th, 2021

Following the government’s (January 26, 2020) decision to close the Ben Gurion Airport for departure and arrivals and in order to complete the joint efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, the minister of Interior has announced today (Wednesday) that the land border crossings (Jordan River, Taba, Arava) will be closed to Israelis and foreigners.

For more information click here.

January 26th, 2021

 The Israeli Government has decided that the Ben Gurion Airport will be closed to inbound and outbound flights. As a result, foreigner experts will not be allowed to enter Israel (except for funerals). In other words, no new Boarding Permits will be issued and existing permits will be frozen until February 1st 2021.

During the current lockdown (that should end February 1st ) the offices of the Population and Immigration authorities’ will be closed and the Work Permit Unit will not be accepting new applications and applications that have already been submitted will not be processed.

 January 21st, 2021

The Israeli Ministry of Interior has announced that following the Ministry of Health’s recommendation, the entry of foreigners whose arrival has been approved will be conditional on the foreign expert presenting negative results for a COVID-19 test performed 72 hours before the flight. In addition the foreign expert needs to show that he has a valid medical insurance.

January 8th, 2021

Entry policy into Israel during the Corona period

Please visit this page to see the latest updates regarding cases in which the entry of foreigners into Israel will be approved after examination.

December 7th, 2020

An important update regarding the processing of applications for Work Permits for foreign experts during the Corona period.

A foreign expert travelling to Israel from a Covid-19 Red destination will need to enter 14 days self-isolations country Isolation statements will be provided by email prior to the arrival of the border inspection expert.

A foreign expert traveling to Israel from a Covid-19 Green destination do not have the enter self-isolation if they have not been in a Covid-19 red destination during the 14 days prior to their flight to Israel. For more information, please click here.

October 29th, 2020

Entry policy into Israel during the Corona period

Please visit this page to see what the latest updates regarding cases in which the entry of foreigners into Israel will be approved after examination.

October 28th, 2020

Important update regarding the processing of applications for Work Permits foreign experts during the Corona period (excluding chefs)

According to the provisions of the Public Health Order (New Corona Virus) (Home Insulation and Various Provisions) 2020 (hereinafter – the order) any foreign expert that was approved to enter Israel (except those who came from a green countries), must go into isolation as soon as they enter Israel for 14 days. Isolation statements will be delivered by email before the foreign expert arrives to Israel. For more information, please click here.

 

October 16th, 2020

Entry policy into Israel during the Corona period

Please visit this page to see what the latest updates regarding cases in which the entry of foreigners into Israel will be approved after examination.

October 11th, 2020

Entry policy into Israel during the Corona period

Please visit this page to see what the latest updates regarding cases in which the entry of foreigners into Israel will be approved after examination.

August 5th, 2020

Entry policy into Israel during the Corona period

Please visit this page to see what the latest updates regarding cases in which the entry of foreigners into Israel will be approved after examination.

July 6th, 2020

Extension of validity of Work Permits for Foreign experts

The Work Permits foreign workers will be extended as follows:

  1. Work Permits which expire between March 10th, 2020 and June 30th, 2020 are extended for a period of three months from the date of expiration.

  2. Work Permits which expire between July 1st, 2020 and August 31st, 2020 will be extended for a period of ten weeks starting from the date of expiration. For more information, please click here.

June 29th, 2020

Prior to applying for a Work Permit to the Work Permit Unit at the Population and Immigration Authority, the sponsoring company must contact the relevant governmental office in order to receive a recommendation for the entry of the foreign expert for the purpose of maintaining the continues productivity of the project and in the benefit of economy of Israel. Link.

 

June 14th, 2020

Entry policy into Israel during the Corona period

Please visit this page to see what are the cases in which the entry of foreigners into Israel will be approved after examination.

April 21st, 2020

Information for foreign workers during the period of dealing with the corona virus.

As part of efforts to encourage foreign experts to abide by the instructions of the Ministry of Health, the Foreign Worker’s Administration in the Population and Immigration Authority has published a letter of information to foreign workers residing in Israel. For more information, please click here.

 

March 29th, 2020

Extension of work permits for the employment of foreign workers/experts.

Work Permits of foreign workers/experts in all industries which expire between March 10th, 2020 and May 10th, 2020 will be extended automatically, without the need to apply to the Population and Immigration Authority and without the need to pay fees, for a period of two months from the expiration date of the relevant permit or license. For more information, please click here.

 

March 11th, 2020

Additional update regarding the entry of foreign workers into Israel.

As an addition to the instructions published March 10th, 2020, Foreign nationals traveling to Israel from China, Macau, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Egypt will not be allowed to enter Israel. For more information, please click here.

 

March 10th, 2020

Update regarding the entry of foreign workers into Israel.

As of Thursday, March 12th, 2020 non-residents of Israel will be allowed to enter only if they can prove that they can go into self-isolation as soon as they enter Israel according to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines. Such proof needs to be provided before entering Israel. For more information, please click here. 

 

February 25th, 2020

Prevention of Entry Following the Corona Virus:

A decision has been made by the Population and immigration authorities to prevent foreigners who stayed in the following countries in the last 14 days from entering Israel: China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Macau, Thailand, Hong Kong. For more information, please click here.