Immediately upon the onset of the more stringent Corona restrictions, Chaim V’Chessed noted a concern for foreigners in Israel: Such residents require valid visas at all times. Should their visas expire, they are not legally permitted to be in Israel. More worrying, their Bituach Leumi and other health benefits would be terminated. Yet, with government offices closing one after another, it was becoming increasingly difficult to renew visas.
Chaim V’Chessed representatives contacted the staff of Aryeh Deri, Minister of the Interior on this matter. Within hours, Minister Deri issued a directive, automatically extending visas for certain visa classes. However, student visas were not included. Furthermore, the extension was granted only until the end of April.
After further exchanges, Minister Deri ordered that all A class visas will be automatically extended, including student visas. Additionally, he also extended B1 visas, though B2 visas (tourist visas) were not extended.
Additionally, Deri’s new order states that these visas will be extended until June 30.
