ISRAEL and UNITED STATES – Reciprocal Investor Visa Agreement Approved by Knesset
On 18 June 2018 the Israeli legislature, the Knesset, approved new regulations implementing a reciprocal agreement with the United States whereby, for the first time, US nationals investing in Israel will be able to obtain a B-5 employment visa and Israeli nationals investing in the United States will be eligible for an E-2 Treaty Investor visa authorising employment.
Israeli and US entities are expected to be able to begin submitting E-2 or B-5 applications in the near future.
Advocate Tsvi Kan-Tor, Partner at Kan-Tor & Acco and head of the visa committee of the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, initially promoted the process of reciprocal employment visas and was present at the Knesset when the regulations were approved.
Action Items
- Employers and investors who may benefit from the new routes are advised to consult their immigration specialist.