I have heard that there have recently been changes to the law, allowing non-olim to acquire work permits. I have heard something to the effect that one now needs a kupat cholim number. Please could anyone who has updated knowledge about this subject please post here, as I am contemplating moving to Israel in the next few months, but don't wish at this stage to make aliya.

Also, does getting a work permit rather than citizenship impede one's ability to find a job, and if so to what extent? Btw, I speak Hebrew fluently, just mentioning this in the context of job finding. Am I quite unlikely or will I likely find it very hard to to find a job despite knowing fluent Hebrew if I am not an Israeli citizen?

afaik, you don't need a kupat cholim number.

First and foremost make an appointmet with misrad hap'nim bet. 9am-1pm iirc. 02-6294-772- bear in mind it takes a loooong while time to get through (or fax them/6290-232 and explain what you want; leave your contact info and they usually call you back within 3 days). Don't plan on going for at least 3-4 weeks from when you made the appt. That's just how they do things.

But you do need a letter from a prospective employer [on company stationery] which states 'if John Q. Public had a work permit we'd hire him'.
In addition, you also need a passport/visa, and letter proving you're Jewish; a letter from your rabbi is fine.
Proof of insurance is required too (US is fine, just show them your card).
Gather all the above and call Tziki Ud at the Jewish Agency 02-6202-251, ask when to come. There are no official appointments but was pretty quiet when I went. (Just double-check with the secretary they don't require more documents now-- she speaks only hebrew btw).

Now bring all this to your misrad hap'nim appt and happy hunting!

If you've been in Israel for longer then 2 years, then you might have problems getting the paper from Tziki, which is what I was told, so I went straight to Misrad Hapnim with all the papers and I almost had the visa (it was in my passport and everything) when she realized that I didn't have the paper. All she did was do a police check (and of course forgot to call me when the papers came back, so I went down there without an appt and dealt with her). The first time I had a 6 month, no entry/exit visa (meaning I couldn't leave the country without invalidating it-to make it a traveling one she told me it was 200 shek) and now I have a one year, no entry exit, unrestricted work working visa (to make it multiple entry she told me it was 150).

Thanking you and bigtoe both very much for your assistance. It's really great to have such a support network out there. Mekaveh she'nityaded be'karov. Me'ah todot.

Another note: I know that when I was gathering the information for my visa, the specifications said that the letter from my rabbi attesting that I was Jewish had to be from my country of origin. Whether or not that's true is something else, but you usually want to do everything right the first time cuz it's a pain in the rear dealing with the misrad hapnim ladies.
Oh, and a word to the wise: Stay on hold with misrad hapnim. They will eventually answer your call, but don't hang up as soon as you hear what sounds like an answering machine pick up. It'll continue ringing after that message comes on, and they'll answer your call when they get around to it.
When you're dealing with them there, just be firm. They're tough birds over there, but if you play your cards right, you'll be ok. I didn't have an appt the second time around and I got so frustrated that I just went down there without an appt (big mistake, usually!!) and when I went to speak to the lady that had dealt with my file originally (of course 3 other people had to get involved) I firmly explained that I tried to call, and they told me they didn't know her internal extension (G-d must love me, He had her try to call the front desk 2 minutes before and they wouldn't even answer her call for 5 minutes, so she got what I was saying) and she dealt with me right away. And of course she found my file sitting there with all the rest, and she insisted that she called me (which of course she hadn't) but she still gave me the visa.
Like I said, they're tough birds over there, but be firm. And oddly enough, using English there works to your advantage.

I called for THREE DAYS straight before anyone picked up.. Then I got smart and started faxing tem with my request and #.
They weren't tough at all.


dude- not all people/companies require permits so start looking now anywhichway!

I know a woman who lived in Israel for about six months. She is the kind of person who dots her I's and crosses her T's. But she told me that in Israel, the gov expects everyone to break the law. So it makes laws with that in mind. The beaurocracy is so f-ed up, it's ridiculous. Don't bother with it. It's not like America.

It's not that effed up. People blow it up much bigger than it is. Experience it before taking someone else's advice.

Calvinandhobbes, thanks for that. As it happens I understand the Israeli mentality and rarely have a problem with Israelis. You just got to win them over sometimes, paying them a legitimate compliment just when they think they have succeeded in showing you who's boss, usually brings them 'round. Israelis are a funny bunch but they are surprisingly similar in what impresses them. Thanks for the info.

Bigtoe, I agree assertiveness is the first thing you have to learn in Israel. There is very little tolerance for wimps and those who love inflexible rules. If you show you mean business and don't balk at getting what you deserve, you win respect. It's wierd but also wonderful in a kind of wierd way!

Bigtoe, what type of companies don't demand work permits and is it legal in Israel to work without one?

Religious (especially Haredi) ones, and no it is illegal...

That sounds like three problems, low-skill, illegal and starvation pay...

If you want to get paid decently, stay here.

So life is all about money?

I am very torn at the moment. Most times when one leaves one job one already has another one lined up. When you move abroad it is almost impossible to have that. So it's a bit like jumping off a roof hoping somebody will find a safety net before you land. It takes a leap of faith!

If you want to work in a normal company (like IDT for example) then you need to get one. Heck, you even need one to work in Brooklyn Bakeshop, so ignore her advice.



No, it's illegal to work here without one, but some people won't care. It depends a lot on how you're getting paid. If you're getting paid in shekels, then they're usually more makpid that you have one, but if you're getting paid in dollars, and if they do direct deposit into your American account especially, then you don't need one.



NOT true.
Have you ever been in Israel, or do you just base all your opinions on what other people say without experiencing things for yourself???

I'm not surprised that Bri would say something like that.

last millenium when I was on a working visa, prior to aliyah (just couldn't make up my mind) I was paying almost 35% in taxes so I would not advise getting paid on the books or working as a non citizen unless they have restructred the tax codes and knowing how they do things in Israel that wonderful Jewish bastion of Socio-Communism, they made it more draconian to suck more than just money and your spirit from you