Israel: Spouses of foreign experts to be allowed to work
12 September 2016Israeli Cabinet Ministers recently approved a new a program that will allow spouses of Foreign Expert Visa holders (B1) to work in Israel. The aim is to encourage more foreign talent to work in Israel’s high tech industries and local branches of multinational organisations.
While the regulations have still to be published officially, the word is that married spouses will be eligible to accompany the B-1 Foreign Expert Visa on a derivative visa that will allow them to work in Israel. The spouse Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) will not need to be sponsored by a particular employer.
The spouse will be allowed to work once the EAD has been issued by the Ministry of Interior. Normally, this will be for the same duration as the Foreign Expert’s B1 visa. The spouse will be able to take any legal employment, for a salary above the Israeli minimum wage, currently 4,650 NIS (approx. 1100 EUR) per month gross for full time work. Part-time and remote working will also be allowed.
The B-1 employee should work for an established, technological or multi-national company as a foreign expert or senior manager. The Ministry of Interior will publish the list of companies that are eligible for this program.
