The Semech affidavit – a document provided by the sponsoring company containing the company’s legal obligations toward the foreign employee and Israel - must now be provided and signed with each employee’s individual B-1 work permit application, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Interior.
Previously, one affidavit covered all simultaneously-submitted applications.
Affidavit Details
- The sponsoring Israeli employer must ensure that the affidavit is legalised by an Israeli lawyer.
- If submitted by a foreign sponsor, it can be either legalised at an Israeli consular post or notarised and apostilled.
- The affidavit must contain the assignee’s name, nationality and passport number.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
This requirement will add an extra administrative step for each B-1 work permit application, and may require extra costs as legalisation or notarisation and apostille may be required.
Employers should contact their immigration professional to discuss the legalisation of the affidavit.