Israel Updates Salary Requirements for Foreign Expert Visas
Starting January 2026, the minimum monthly salary for foreign experts in Israel will increase to NIS 27,132. The government is also expanding worker quotas in trade and services while increasing enforcement against unlawful employment and reorganizing industrial visa processing.
Israel Updates Salary Requirements for Foreign Expert Visas
Israel has updated the financial threshold for international professionals seeking employment under the B-1 Expert Work Visa and Hi-Tech B-1 categories. The minimum monthly gross salary for these roles is now set at NIS 27,132 (approximately USD 8,600).
This figure is calculated as double the national average salary. The Ministry of Interior requires this higher wage floor to ensure that foreign experts are brought in for high-value positions that cannot be easily filled by the local workforce.
Who is affected
This change impacts foreign nationals applying for long-term positions exceeding three months. It specifically targets those in specialized technical, industrial, or high-tech roles.
While this affects traditional employees, digital nomads and tourists on standard visitor visas remain unaffected. These requirements only trigger if you are seeking formal employment authorization within Israel. Short-term workers on SEA B-1 or STEP B-1 visas, which are valid for up to 90 days, are also exempt from this specific salary floor.
What you need to do
If you are planning to work in Israel or are currently in the middle of a visa renewal, keep these visa updates in mind:
- Check Pending Applications: Any work permit applications submitted but not yet approved must be updated to reflect the new NIS 27,132 minimum.
- Secure the Visa Abroad: You must obtain your work visa in your home country before traveling to Israel; it cannot be issued upon arrival.
- Verify Employer Permits: Ensure your employer holds a valid permit to hire foreign experts and can justify the necessity of your specific expertise.
- Monitor Processing Times: While short-term 90-day visas offer fast-track 10-day processing, long-term expert visas may face delays due to recent administrative reorganizations.
The Ministry of Interior will reject any new or renewal applications that do not meet these updated wage standards.
Read our full Israel guide for the complete picture.