ISRAEL - Ministry of Interior Announces Reforms Aimed at Reducing Illegal Immigration
- Israel
- 02/08/2010
The Israeli Government is initiating sweeping reforms to the country’s immigration laws regarding employment of foreign workers. This alert is issued as an update to BAL’s January 4 client alert (http://www.balglobal.com/resources_details.asp?newsid=1435&l1=News&l2=Global%20News&year=2010). The Ministry of Finance announced that the first measures of control will be aimed specifically at reducing the number of illegal workers employed as migrant laborers and lower-skilled service industry workers.
While the announcement is not aimed specifically at the B-1 professional and accompanying dependant B-2 categories, the government’s decision does instruct the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to reduce incentives for employing foreign workers in Israel and to identify specific geographical areas where foreign workers are most needed. In addition, the legislation will be designed to provide greater powers of enforcement to the National Immigration Authority (NIA) and will enable severe repercussions for employing illegal workers.
Given increased compliance requirements, assignees in Israel should keep in mind that the MOI issues B-1/B-2 visas as two, separate visa endorsements. The MOI will endorse a B-1/B-2 Permit of Stay Visa valid for 12 months, together with a separate B-1/B-2 Entry Visa only valid for 11 months. Assignees and accompanying family members should not to depart Israel during this one-month gap (i.e., after the expiration of the Entry Visa) without obtaining a Special Re-Entry Permit prior to any overseas travel.
BAL Comment
It is expected that the government’s announcement will have an effect on the B-1 professional worker category, although specific regulations have not yet been published. However, for the immediate term, the Israeli MOI will likely be taking measures to enforce regulations regarding increased worksite inspections and border control. Companies should be prepared for additional restrictions and/or requirements when obtaining B-1/B-2 visas in the professional category for assignees and should advise Israeli assignees to observe all immigration compliance requirements.
