Israel has simplified entry for IT specialists-refugees from Ukraine and Russia

Starting from March 29, 2022, the Israeli authorities will introduce a "green path" for refugees from Ukraine and Russia who work in Israeli technology companies. And it does not matter whether they have the right to immigrate to Israel, according to the law on return, which applies to people with Jewish origin, reports Globes.

It is assumed that during such immigration of IT specialists, the process of inspections and issuing work permits will be accelerated, and will take only a few days. According to existing procedures, this process takes several weeks, even for those who enter Israel, according to the law on return.

According to the publication, the simplification of entry will apply to those refugees who work for Israeli technology companies, and who arrived in Israel or work remotely, as well as refugees recently hired by such companies.

As explained in the government of the country, the inclusion of the latter group is intended to encourage Israeli companies to hire refugees with technological experience who have arrived in Israel or want to come here, regardless of their ethnicity.

At the same time, for refugees who have the right to enter Israel, according to the law on return, "Green Path" offers to check this right within 4 days after submitting the necessary documents for Refugees and their families. These refugees will receive immediate work permits as long as the immigration process continues through the usual channels at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

At the same time, for those who are not covered by the law on return, Green Path will offer to issue entry permits and temporary work permits within 4 days. If a refugee and the hiring company apply for an extension of their work period of more than 90 days, each case will be considered on its merits by the population and Immigration Administration. In addition, family members will also be able to work in Israel if the employee plans to stay in the country for more than 90 days.

According to the publication, the state program is a joint initiative of MP Ron Katz, who is chairman of the Knesset Subcommittee on the development of high technologies and innovations in Israel, and the organization Reboot Startup Nation, which was founded by recent immigrants from Ukraine and Russia to help refugees from the war in Ukraine find work in the Israeli technology sector.

It is expected that this organization will help in identifying refugees with technological experience who are interested in being hired by Israeli companies, as well as in recruiting companies that are willing to hire them.

It is known that now more than 1,000 candidates with technological experience have joined the initiative.

According to preliminary data from the Israeli authorities, about 11.3 thousand Ukrainian refugees who are not eligible for Immigration and more than 3,500 without visas have landed at Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion Airport in recent weeks.

In turn, almost 9,700 people arrived from Russia without the right to immigration under the law on return and more than 2,000 — without a visa.