Legal Update: Labor Relations (Foreign Experts) - January 2017

Under Israeli law, the employment of a foreign employee who is not a citizen or resident of Israel is a criminal offense, except if the person requesting to employ the foreign employee received a special permit from the Population and Immigration Authority (the "Authority") pursuant to the Foreign Workers Law, 5751-1991. Accordingly, employers who wish to employ foreign employee in Israel in positions that demand training or special skills are required to submit a request for a permit to employ a foreign expert. The process of issuing a permit to employ a foreign expert is complex and often takes a significant period of time. In addition, this process involves significant expenses for the employer.