Israel work visa (B/1): the approval and the interview

Work visa
An Israel work visa (B/1) needs an application filed on your behalf and approved by the Population and Immigration Authority; the mission in the U.S. comes after, for a personal interview when you are invited. The passport has to be valid for two years, three for a caregiver.

Checked against the official pages on 13 November 2026. How we check.

The Israel work visa is the B/1 visa, and New York’s page lists what the applicant brings to the interview at the mission where they live (New York’s work visa page).

New York’s page says it is for foreigners over 18 with no first-degree relatives in Israel, on whose behalf an application has been submitted and approved by the Population and Immigration Authority.

It also covers people eligible under the Law of Return and foreign specialists, athletes and performing artists invited to Israel.

What the mission asks for

  • The application for an entry visa to Israel
  • A passport valid for two years (three for caregivers)
  • Two recent 5×5 cm color photos on a white background
  • A criminal clearance certificate valid for six months, translated and certified
  • A birth certificate, translated and certified
  • Medical test results from a laboratory or hospital the mission recognizes
  • A declaration agreeing to fingerprints and a photograph
  • For people eligible under the Law of Return only: a certificate from the Jewish Agency or the Nativ Liaison Bureau

The interview

The applicant comes for a personal interview at the mission, «subject to receiving an invitation», in the country where they live. Book it on the service page of the office that covers your state; the appointments page lists them.

The Israel work visa, step by step

Houston’s residents go to Atlanta while Houston is closed to visitors (Houston’s notice).

The U.S. criminal record certificate and the birth certificate usually need an apostille from the issuing authority: see apostille for Israel.

Step Who Where
Application on your behalf Whoever invites you in Israel Population and Immigration Authority
Documents and interview You The mission that covers your state
Visa in the passport The mission After approval

Caregivers

Foreign caregivers have their own page and the same personal interview; the passport must be valid for three years.

You are a U.S. citizen going for a short business trip

Meetings and conferences are a visit, not work: the ETA-IL covers them. See ETA-IL.

You are going to study

See the student visa.

You are eligible under the Law of Return

Add the eligibility certificate from the Jewish Agency or the Nativ Liaison Bureau.

For the interview
  • The visa application form
  • A passport valid for two years
  • Two 5×5 cm photos
  • Police certificate and birth certificate, translated and certified
  • Medical test results
 The approval in Israel comes first: the interview at the mission follows an invitation. 

Questions people ask

What is B/1 visa in Israel?

It is Israel’s work visa. An application is filed on your behalf and approved in Israel, and you go to an interview at a mission abroad.

How to get work visa for Israel?

Someone in Israel files the application on your behalf; once it is approved you are invited to an interview at the mission where you live.

How to get work permit in Israel?

The permit is requested in Israel on your behalf and approved by the Population and Immigration Authority; the work visa follows an interview at a mission.

All procedures here
How the offices take appointments
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