Israeli high tech firms are experiencing challenges hiring skilled tech workers due to a lack of visa options. Israel has a one year renewable work visa for Jewish foreign nationals and an expert worker visa option; however, foreign entrepreneurs and high tech workers typically do not qualify for these options. Israel’s Economy Ministry proposed creating a start-up visa three years ago, but this has not yet been instituted.

Currently, many foreign entrepreneurs are using tourist visas to enter Israel. As tourist visas are typically only valid for 90 day periods, this means that applicants must leave Israel and then re-enter, which requires going through Israel’s rigorous entry process at a high frequency throughout the year. In addition, tourist visas do not permit work activities and restrict entrepreneurs’ ability to set up new start-ups in Israel.