The 7 Best Immigration Lawyers in Tel Aviv (2026)

The B-1 is Israel's work visa, most commonly used for foreign experts brought in by an Israeli employer. It requires a permit obtained by the employer before the employee applies, and the expert route carries a minimum salary threshold set by reference to the average national wage. Processing typically runs to a couple of months, so it needs planning into any relocation timetable.

For a straightforward case handled through the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B'Nefesh, usually not. A lawyer becomes worthwhile when eligibility under the Law of Return is contested or hard to document, where there are converts, spouses or non-Jewish family members involved, or where a previous application has been refused.

No. A B-2 visitor visa does not permit employment, and working on one puts your status and any future application at risk. If you are already in Israel and an employer wants to hire you, the change of status has to be applied for properly rather than assumed.

Corporate work-permit matters are usually quoted per case or under a retainer with an employer. Personal status cases are more often billed by stage. Ask for the government fees to be shown separately from the legal fee, since the two are frequently quoted together and it makes comparison difficult.

It varies widely by category and by how complete the file is. Work permits commonly run 60 to 90 days including the ministry recommendation stage; spousal and status cases are measured in months to years and proceed in graduated stages. Assume the Population and Immigration Authority timetable, not your own.