Permission to Work on an A-Category Visa

To be legally employed in Israel, a non-Israeli must have permission to work. Temporary residents with an A1 visa are legally permitted to work. Those who hold student visas (A2) or spouse-of-student visas (A4) must ask specifically for their visa to state “Permitted to Work.”

Permission to work should not be confused with a “working visa,” or a B-category visa, which does not give holders access to health insurance through Bituach Leumi.

How to Apply

You may apply for permission to work at a standard visa application or renewal by requesting that your visa state rashai la’avod, or “permitted to work,” and presenting the documents below. You can also apply for permission to work separately. If you do, your first visa will be voided and your new “permitted to work” visa will take its place.

An appointment for visa-related matters may be necessary in certain branches of Misrad Hapnim. Additionally, certain branches may require you to come separately for this purpose if you are part of a family of four or more that is renewing their visas all together. Please confirm your local visa department hours and requirements before your trip.

The Jerusalem visa department is located in the central Misrad Hapnim office on Shlomzion Hamalka 1.  Visa application hours are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am -12 pm. 

An advance appointment is required. To request an appointment, send an email to ashrot-jerusalem@piba.gov.il requesting a visa appointment. Include the names and passport numbers of all applicants. Supply a phone number and specify if you need an adult or child renewal, first time visa for adult or child, the amount of visas necessary, etc.

A Misrad HaPnim representative should call you within three business days to schedule your appointment.

When applying, you will need to bring the following:

1. Passports of all applicants (the student’s passport must be valid for at least another 6 months) with at least two empty pages for visa stickers
2.  Expired passports with previous visas inside, if applicable
3. Marriage certificate with apostille (as of February 2023) or alternatively an Israeli ishur nisuin (see our guide on Legal Marriage in Israel for further information).
4. Applicant’s original birth certificate with apostille (as of February 2023)
5. Proof of birth dates of applicants’ parents, i.e. copies of parents’ passports, if birth dates are not indicated on applicants’ birth certificates
6. If the student himself is applying: Original letter from the student’s school or yeshiva, typed on official school stationery with a logo, stating that the applicant is a student there. The document should include the student’s name and passport number, the institution’s mispar amutah (organization ID number), hours and days of study, and how long the student intends to study there. It should also state that the student is Jewish by birth and both of his parents’ birthdays. (If the applicant is a ger, present an official geirus certificate.)

The letter should be no more than three months old at the time of application.

See here for a template of an acceptable yeshiva letter.

7. Application for visa extension (visa form AS/3) filled out separately for each individual applicant. Make sure the dates on the form are entered in the format DD/MM/YY. Form is also available at Misrad Hapnim.

To receive “permission to work”, you will also need to provide:

1. Proof of Jewishness: an original letter from a recognized rabbi of a congregation or institution in your place of origin, written on official stationery that lists his name as the head of the institution, stating that the applicant is “Jewish by birth.” Having this statement included on a yeshiva letter is generally not sufficient for this purpose. The letter must include the applicant’s name, date of birth, passport number, parents’ names and parents’ birthdays. If the applicant is a ger, present an official geirus certificate. For a smoother process, it is recommended to obtain a letter from a rabbi belonging to a well-known organization, like Agudath Israel or Orthodox Union.
2. If the student themself is applying for permission to work: The letter from the school (see 6 above) should also state that s/he is allowed to work between learning hours. If the wife is applying for permission to work: The letter from the school must state her name and passport number, that she is Jewish by birth, and is permitted to work. See here for a template of this letter.
3. Letter from a prospective employer stating that they would like to employ you, and for how long. The letter should be written on official stationery and should include the company name and ID number, your name and passport number, and the original signature of the employer. If there is no prospective employer, you may apply without this letter.

Please note: when renewing a visa with “permission to work”, be sure to request this at the time of renewal. It is not automatic.

Permission to work is generally granted on the spot.

Misrad Hapnim ‒ Ministry of Interior

This office deals with legal status matters, such as passports, teudot zehut, birth certificates, and visas.

Phone: *3450 (02-629-0222) • www.piba.gov.il

Jerusalem Main Office

Shlomzion HaMalka 1 (off Rechov Yaffo)
Morning hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 am–12:00 pm (closed Wednesday mornings)
Afternoon hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:30 pm–5:00 pm;

Visa hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 am-12:00 pm, appointments required
The visa department is closed in the afternoon, but you can obtain a birth certificate, Israeli passport, a daf knisot v’yetziyot and other services unrelated to visas then.

Har Choma, Jerusalem

Eliyahu Koren 25
Morning hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Afternoon hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:30 pm-5:00 pm
No visa department; may re-open sometime in the future

Beit Shemesh

Aba Naamat 1
Morning hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 am–12:00 pm
Afternoon hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:30 pm–5:00 pm
Visa department: Sunday 8:00 am-9:00 am, no appointments required

Please note:  Beit Shemesh residents can apply in the Jerusalem branch if needed

Bnei Brak
Jabotinsky 168, Migdalei Shekel, floor 6
02-646-9584
Morning hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 am–12:00 pm
Afternoon hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:30 pm–5:00 pm

Visa department: appointments required. Closed in the afternoon. Use the Misrad Hapnim appointment page or *3450 information line (extension 1-3-3).

Services residents of Bnei Brak only.

Beitar’s Iriyah (Municipality)

02-588-8111

No visa Department. Offers some Misrad Hapnim services as well, such as change of address and adding a child to a family’s teudat zehut