Did you know that Israel is one of the most advanced and technological countries globally, and has the highest standards of living in the Middle East? It is also located in a region known as the “Holy Land,” making it among the world’s most visited destinations.
Aside from having many religious and historical attractions, Israel is filled with breathtaking landscapes and gorgeous beaches. As of 2023, there are almost 10 million people in the country. Of these, almost 300,000 are foreign workers — of which 30,000 to 50,000 are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In this article, we will talk about the most in-demand jobs for Filipinos in Israel, and how aspiring OFWs can apply for work in this country. Our discussion covers the qualifications, requirements, steps, and other information… So keep on reading to learn more!
Qualifications
To be eligible for work in Israel, you need to have a B1 Work Visa, which is a type of work permit for foreign nationals. This visa is provided by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor (MOITAL) in the first instance, and by the Ministry Internal Affairs (MIA) in the second instance.
Both you (the employee) and your Israel-based employer need to participate in getting your B1 Work Visa. Initially, the visa is valid for 30 days. After arriving in Israel, you need to apply for a work permit so that you can work in the country for more than 30 days.
Who can apply for a B1 Work Visa? You may qualify for this type of visa if you belong to any of these categories:
- Specialists working in academic fields, such as engineers for research groups, senior managers, supervisors, auditors, etc.;
- Specialists working in non-academic fields, such as equipment installers, welders, etc.;
- Experts with a certificate of education in a higher education institution or relevant professional training, who will work in Israel for up to 90 days or 3 months (B1 STEP Visa);
- Experts in high-tech and cyber companies (Hi-Tech or HIT visa); and
- Specialists who will work in Israel for up to 45 days (B1 SEA Visa).
Requirements
When applying for a B1 Work Visa, you and your employer (or employment agency) must prepare the following documents:
- Filled-up B1 Visa application form;
- Your valid passport;
- 2 passport-sized photos;
- Old passports (if any);
- Copy of employment contract;
- Copy of medical certificate; and
- Confirmation of booked air tickets.
NOTE: Additional documents may be required. Any document that is not written in English or Hebrew should be translated and notarized by the Israeli consulate.
Most Popular Jobs in Israel for Overseas Filipino Workers
At present, the most active industries in Israel for overseas workers are education, financial services, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, information technology, manufacturing and production, retail and sales, and domestic work.
Correspondingly, here is a list of the most popular jobs in the country, grouped according to industry:
- Domestic Work – babysitters, domestic workers, nannies, personal cooks, personal drivers, etc.;
- Education – elementary school teachers, high school teachers, language teachers, etc.;
- Financial Services – accountants, auditors, financial managers, etc.;
- Healthcare – caregivers, nurses, nursing aides, etc.;
Hospitality and Tourism – bakers, waiters, waitresses, hotel staff, receptionists, chefs, etc.; - Information Technology (IT) – computer programmers, software engineers, web developers, etc.;
- Manufacturing and Production – factory workers, product managers, quality supervisors, machine operators, etc.; and
- Retail and Sales – marketing managers, sales assistants, customer service representatives, etc.
How to Become an OFW in Israel
To become an OFW in Israel, you need to undergo three major steps: getting a work permit, getting a work visa, and then eventually getting a visa extension once you arrive in Israel.
1. Getting a Work Permit
Your employer Israel is the one responsible for getting a work permit on your behalf. First, he/she needs to submit an application to the local or municipal department of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor (MOITAL), describing the job as well as the need for foreign expertise.
The local authority then submits the application to the Ministry’s national office in Jerusalem for further assessment and processing. Once the national office approves, they will send a form to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), with a recommendation to grant you a work visa. Afterwards, you can start applying for a work visa in the Philippines.
2. Getting a Work Visa
As soon as your employer has confirmed that you have received a work permit, the next step is to fill out the B1 Visa application form. You can fill out the form online through this link, and then print it out. You could also print out the form, then fill out the details using a pen of any color other than black.
While filling out the form, you need to provide information such as your first name, last name, names of your parents, your nationality, your employment, and your planned trip to Israel. Be sure to attach the required photo in the designated space on the form.
Once you have filled up the form and gathered all the necessary documents, it’s time to submit your application to the nearest Israeli consulate or embassy in your home country. In your case, there’s the Embassy of Israel, which is located in Metro Manila.
At the Embassy, a consular official will interview you about your application, your plans of traveling to Israel, and other details. Be sure to dress appropriately, and answer the questions clearly and truthfully.
The processing time for your B1 Work Visa could take around 12 to 14 weeks. It could take longer than this period, depending on your case as well as the volume of applications. Notably, applications for a Hi-Tech or HIT visa are usually processed faster, around 10 working days.
3. Arriving in Israel
Once you receive your B1 Work Visa, you can now travel to Israel. However, this visa will be valid for only 30 days. Within this period, you need to apply for a visa extension. It must be valid for the entire validity of your work permit.
At this point, you should go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to apply for a visa with an extended validity period. Once again, this period depends on the validity of your work permit. Typically, a B1 Work Visa is valid for up to 1 year, with the possibility of extension. However, your total stay in the country under this visa should not exceed 5 years and 3 months.
Licensed Recruitment Agencies to Israel
When you apply for an overseas job, make sure that you are dealing with a licensed and trusted recruitment agency. This can help ensure that the job offer is a legitimate one; you are not being scammed or being set up for a human trafficking scheme!
You can verify if an agency is “legit” by going to the official website of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Based on their website, here is a list of manpower agencies that are licensed to recruit OFWs to Israel:
- CPM Manpower Services, Inc.;
- God’s Will International Placement, Inc.;
- Jedi Placement Agency Incorporated;
- Kenmore Placement International Agency Inc.;
- Manpower Resources of Asia Inc.;
- Mariposa International Services Co. Inc.; and
- NYD International Placement Agency Inc.
NOTE: To view the full list of manpower agencies that are licensed to recruit land-based as well as sea-based OFWs around the world, please head to the DMW official website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some frequently asked questions about how one can become an OFW Israel:
1. Who are qualified to work in Israel?
To be able to work in Israel, you need to have a B1 Work Visa, which may be issued to an applicant who belongs to any of the following categories: (a) specialists working in academic fields; (b) specialists working in non-academic fields; (c) experts with a certificate of education in a higher education institution who will work for up to 90 days; (d) experts in hi-tech and cyber companies; and (e) specialists who will work in Israel for up to 45 days.
2. What are the requirements?
When applying for a B1 Work Visa, the following documents must be prepared: B1 Visa application form; applicant’s valid passport; 2 passport-sized photos; old passports (if any); copy of employment contract; copy of medical certificate; and confirmation of booked air tickets. Additional documents may be required, as well.
3. What are the most in-demand jobs for OFWs?
Currently, the most active Industries in Israel are education, hospitality and tourism, financial services, manufacturing and production, healthcare, retail and sales, information technology, and domestic work.
Hence, the most in-demand occupations in the country include: domestic workers, nannies, subject teachers, language teachers, accountants, auditors, nurses, caregivers, hotel staff, receptionists, software engineers, computer programmers, factory workers, machine operators, marketing managers, and sales assistants.
4. How can I become an OFW in Israel?
To become an OFW, you and your employer (or employment agency) will need to accomplish three major steps: getting your work permit, getting your work visa, and getting a visa extension upon your arrival in Israel.
5. What are the reasons for getting a visa denied?
For some reason or another, your visa application could get denied. Israeli authorities are not required to tell you why, although presented below are some of the probable reasons why your visa application could get denied. Keep these in mind before you apply:
- You do not meet the requirements for an Israel work visa;
- You have previously stayed illegally in Israel;
- You have previously worked in Israel before getting a permit;
- You have a criminal record in Israel and/or abroad; and
- The information you have provided are incorrect or untrue.
6. How can I learn more about working in Israel?
If you want to know more about how you can work in Israel, you can get in touch with the country’s embassy in Manila. Its contact details are provided below.
Contact Information: Embassy of Israel in Manila
Here are the contact details and location map of the Embassy of Israel in Manila. Its office hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Thursday), and from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm (Friday).
Address: 1132 University Parkway, Avecshare Center. #10th and 11th Floors, 38th St, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +632 8883 9500
Email: info@manila.mfa.gov.il
Website: https://embassies.gov.il/manila/AboutTheEmbassy/Pages/About-the-embassy.aspx
Google Map:
Video: How to Apply as Caregiver in Israel
Are you a caregiver who’s planning to apply for a job in Israel? There are actually many Filipino caregivers in this country. The following YouTube video is shared by “Jovela,” a Pinay caregiver who has been living in Israel for more than 4 years.
In this video, the vlogger talks about the requirements for working as a caregiver in Israel. She reminds everyone to submit original and authentic documents during their application:
Additional Reminders
Aside from getting all your documents in order, you should also prepare for your actual stay in Israel. You might be wondering… What’s the weather like? How can I travel around? Are there any Filipino communities that I can join? To address these and more, here are some tips and reminders about daily life in Israel:
Prepare for the weather. The weather in Israel is generally, hot, dry, and sunny all year round. During the summer, temperatures could hit 32 degrees Celsius or higher. Rain is scarce, and there is little rainfall, even during the winter season.
Get to know the country’s history. Israel has a long and extensive history, being the home of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah around 3,000 years ago, and getting controlled or ruled by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans, Greeks, Umayyads, Egyptians, Ottomans, and many other civilizations over the centuries.
However, the country officially became the “State of Israel” only recently, in 1948 — making it one of the world’s youngest nations.
Being located in the “Holy Land,” you should also know that there are many religious sites in Israel — places that are important to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
Be aware of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The current Israel-Palestine conflict is a complicated matter, with cultural, religious, and political sentiments going back decades, perhaps even centuries ago. The thing is, although people have different opinions on the matter — everyone wants peace and harmony in the region.
That being said, as a foreigner, you should always be sensitive and respectful with regard to this subject. When interacting with your colleagues or peers, strive to keep the conversation light. It would be wise to avoid controversial topics altogether, though you should remain aware and mindful of such issues at all times.
Get to know the Israeli people. Israelis are generally friendly, honest, and hospitable. If they invite you to their home, accept the invitation; otherwise, it would be considered rude to refuse.
In addition, you might notice that Israelis speak loudly, with plenty of hand gestures. Don’t be surprised if they touch your shoulder while talking with you; it’s simply their way of building camaraderie. They also like to hug and kiss whenever they meet and greet their friends and family.
Aside from being loud, Israelis are also very “direct” and may come across as being angry, when in fact… they’re not! It’s just that they’re really energetic and animated when they communicate!
Learn to use public transportation. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry because you can easily travel around Israel using public transportation. The most common mode of public transport is the bus; there are bus routes within and between most cities. There are trains that connect cities, too. Meanwhile, other travel options include shared taxi services as well as “sherut” or shared vans.
Follow the rules. Just like any other country, Israel implements laws and rules — for everyone’s safety, and to maintain peace and order. Here are some important rules that you should follow:
- Do not buy or drink alcohol if you are below 18 years old.
- Do not buy or use cigarettes/tobacco if you are below 18 years old.
- Do not get drunk in public.
- Do not smoke in public places.
- Buying, selling, and using illegal drugs could result in fines, prison time, and deportation.
Explore the country’s natural beauty. Without a doubt, Israel has some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes on Earth. From the fertile hills around Jerusalem to the historic Negev desert and the salty Dead Sea… there is so much to see in this country!
Taste delicious local dishes. Have you ever tried Israeli cuisine? Now is the best time to do so! Here are some of the country’s most popular local dishes:
- Falafel – considered as Israel’s “national dish,” it is a mixture of ground chickpeas and spices, formed into balls and then fried. It is usually paired with warm pita bread, dips, and other ingredients;
- Shawarma – a popular street food usually made with lamb (or sometimes chicken), with thin slices of meat wrapped in pita bread, topped with spices and other delicious ingredients;
- Bourekas – a popular type of puff pastry that is filled with cheese, spinach, meat, and other savory ingredients;
- Kanafeh – a sweet, cheesy, and crunchy dessert dish made with spun pastry and melted cheese, topped with pistachios; and
- Israeli Salad – a simple and fresh salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, lemon, and olive oil.
Connect with fellow Filipinos. As mentioned earlier, there are currently around 30,000 to 50,000 Filipinos in Israel, making it one of the biggest groups of immigrant workers in the country. You are bound to meet many Filipinos in the workplace, in your neighborhood, or in church. Do take time to meet your fellow kababayans and make new friends!
Summary
Indeed, Israel is among the most popular destinations for OFWs, with many Pinoys working there as caregivers, nurses, and other professions. If you are seeking a job in Israel, we hope that you find this article truly hopeful!
Meanwhile, another top destination among OFWs is Malaysia. Check out this article to learn more about this country, its job opportunities, and how you can become an overseas worker there!