Israel is a country in the Middle East, located between Egypt and Lebanon. It has a hot subtropical climate, especially in the southern and eastern regions. It is washed by four seas, of which the Mediterranean and Red are the most popular among tourists.
Despite the fact that the country's independence was officially declared only in 1948 , the Jewish state has centuries-old traditions, ancient culture and many historical monuments.
Therefore, working in Israel for Russians and Ukrainians is not only a way to improve their well-being, but also an opportunity to relax both spiritually and physically in their free time. And who knows, you might even get citizenship of the Promised Land and stay there forever.
Israel has the most powerful economy in the region , with a very developed field of modern technology and medicine. And despite some dissatisfaction among local residents associated with social inequality, in general the population has a high level of income.
Unemployment in the country is about 4.7%, there are low interest rates on commercial loans, and the number of companies opening daily can be the envy of many European countries. In this regard, employment in Israel in 2021, especially for qualified foreigners, looks quite promising.
For particularly unassuming citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries, there is also unskilled work in Israel, even without knowledge of the language. We will talk about the features and methods of finding work in Israel, available vacancies and salaries, as well as other aspects of labor migration in this article.
How to go to work in Israel
Despite the fact that Israeli companies are unlimited by law in the number of foreigners they hire , preference is always given to local residents. Especially if a foreigner has problems with knowledge of Hebrew.
In this case, it makes sense to aim to find a job in an international company where English language skills are sufficient. But to increase the chances of finding a job in Israel, it is optimal for a foreigner, especially with plans for a long stay in the country, to take intensive courses in learning the local language . The duration of such courses is around 3-5 months.
To legally work on Israeli territory, you must obtain the appropriate permit and work visa . It is best to find a job in Israel on your own, and then visit the country as a tourist to undergo an interview and discuss the details of employment. Moreover, it is advisable to arrive as quickly as possible; no one will wait 3-4 months.
If the candidate for the vacancy is approved, the employer issues a work permit to the foreign employee. Then you need to obtain a work visa (B1) from the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Israeli company will provide assistance in this directly.
The maximum validity period of a work visa to Israel is one year , with the right of subsequent extension up to 5 years. Moreover, the document indicates a specific field of activity. If you change workplace, you will need to repeat the entire procedure again.
Israel has very strict laws regarding the labor rights of foreign workers. For example, for illegal dismissal, underestimation of the minimum wage, or violation of contractual obligations, the employer faces large administrative fines or criminal liability.
How to find legal work in Israel - on your own or through an agency?
There are three options for finding a job: on your own, through an agency or friends. Each of them has its own specifics.
If you don’t want to pay for agency services, you can try your luck and find a job yourself. There are many online resources where direct employers post advertisements. But it is worth remembering that most offers come from intermediaries who are not always honest.
When contacting a specialized company or employment agency, not everything goes smoothly either. If the agency is not Israeli, there is a chance that in words you will be offered a vacancy with one set of conditions, but in reality everything will be completely different.
Israeli recruitment agencies are more scrupulous when searching for workers, but the risk of running into scammers is minimal. Most of the swindler intermediaries are residents of the CIS.
Finding work through acquaintances is a traditional feature of the Jewish mentality. Even in large Israeli companies, managers and employees find loopholes to accommodate their friends and acquaintances in warm places.
If you don’t have friends or relatives in Israel, it doesn’t matter. Ask your friends, ask them to find out from their acquaintances - there will definitely be someone. Finding a legal and well-paid job in Israel through friends is almost a 100% option.
Jobs and salaries in Israel
A foreign worker in Israel is given equal rights with local residents regarding wages, conditions, benefits, taxes, and so on. The minimum wage in the country as of December 2021 is 5,300 shekels ($1,600). The average salary in Israel in 2021 is about 12,016.5 shekels ($3,635).
According to the Israeli government portal, labor immigrants can count on work in the following areas:
- agricultural sector
- building sector
- industrial sector
- work in hotels
- ethnic cooking
- caring for sick and elderly people
Israel is one of the leaders in the field of innovation, computer products and medicine. The country has a large number of qualified specialists among local citizens, so foreigners, even with a diploma from a prestigious Israeli university, face serious competition.
Some professions in Israel, such as medicine or law, require a special certificate . The document is issued only to local citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Israel.
Among the popular vacancies in Israel that CIS citizens can count on are primarily experienced programmers and engineers . There is a chance to find a job in finance, sales and marketing. Knowledge of Hebrew will be a prerequisite here . In a foreign company, it is enough to speak English. Salaries can reach $5,000 per month, but finding such a job is quite difficult.
A more affordable employment option in Israel for Russians and Ukrainians with minimal speaking skills in English or Hebrew is unskilled work .
It is quite possible for men to get a contract job as a harvester, an assistant cook, a construction worker, a loader, or a waiter. For women, this means working as a cleaner, nurse, housekeeper, saleswoman, or maid. The salary in this case is a maximum of $2,000 per month. In practice, immigrants receive up to $1,200–$1,300.
What to do in Israel, and why you can repatriate
Despite all the transparency and clarity of this question, in fact, it is one of the most correct of all that should be asked about repatriation. This way of asking the question implies your desire and your determination to change something in your life, and not wait “by the sea for weather.” Although, on the Mediterranean Sea, even this can be done without a twinge of conscience.
What do people in Israel who repatriated from Russia do? The same as in Russia - they live, raise children, eat, sleep, work, that is, in principle, life is not radically different. Only the climate. The most pressing issue on this list is undoubtedly work. Many are indeed afraid that when they come to Israel, they will not be able to find a job. This is worth talking about in more detail.
First, remember one thing, only those who do not want to work will not be able to find a job in Israel. Whoever wants it will always find it.
Secondly, the better your knowledge of Hebrew, the higher the position you will be offered, and the higher your salary will be. The relationship between language knowledge and wages is very direct.
Thirdly, in Israel, unlike Russia, there is no such thing as “bad” work. No one here considers it shameful to work as a salesman in a store, or as a loader, or as a janitor. This is your choice. If you want to rise from a loader to a director of a retail chain, everything is in your hands, study, and everything will happen. You do not want? Your right! No one will judge you - work as a loader until retirement. This also benefits society. Perhaps it is you who will reach hitherto impossible heights in this profession and will be able to bring it to perfection. And most importantly, a pension in Israel and a pension in Russia are diametrically opposed things. Being a pensioner in Israel means enjoying life, not “trying to survive.” That's why everyone tries to work until retirement.
If we talk about some “general” advice that will be useful to everyone who is planning to immigrate to Israel, we recommend remembering the following:
- You should definitely learn Hebrew. Upon arrival, the State of Israel will provide you with free 6 months of training with teachers in Ulpan (a special school for repatriates). At the end of these courses, there will be exams, based on the results of which you will receive a document confirming completion of training and achievement of a certain level. With this document it will be much easier to get a higher paying job. Especially if you really learned something in Ulpan.
- You can get a job without learning the language - there are a huge number of places in Israel that require Russian-speaking employees. Another thing is that without a language, you will not advance further than such jobs. Therefore, you need to learn the language if you want to develop.
- Any language, without practice, is instantly forgotten. So practice constantly. Look for people to talk to and communicate. Don't forget about reading - use all available means. Don’t forget that Israel has given you shelter, so try to at least learn the official language.
I would like to emphasize once again that there are no problems with working in Israel, and it is extremely unlikely that they will appear even in the foreseeable future. The state is developing much more intensively than it can afford. That is why Israel happily accepts new immigrants and provides them with assistance. Israel needs you no less than it can give you! Therefore, don’t be puzzled and don’t create problems for yourself before they (don’t) arise - there is always something to do here.
It is much more difficult, having found yourself here, having a higher education, not to get a job as a janitor, with the hope of “someday” learning the language. As practice shows, after some time, a person understands that there is no need to strain himself - the job is stable, paid, and “there is no need to rush anywhere.” In this case, it is much easier to come to an agreement with yourself and not learn the language, just “going with the flow” to live until retirement. This scenario is repeated very often in Israel. This is a “country of victorious socialism”, in which, unlike Russia, there is no need to constantly prove something to someone, tear your shirt off, etc. Almost everyone manages to live well here.
Learn the language, and then there will be no restrictions for you.
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Work visa to Israel
To legally work on Israeli territory for more than 30 days, a foreigner must obtain a B1 work visa to Israel. The visa application process is carried out simultaneously by the employer and the foreign employee. The Israeli company provides all the necessary documents to the local Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the employee to the Israeli Consulate in his country.
Documents for a work visa to Israel
- Completed visa application form and Form 1 (consent to fingerprinting).
- Two photographs 5x5 cm.
- A valid foreign passport.
- Birth, marriage/divorce certificate.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Medical certificate (including fluorography and a certificate of the absence of diseases such as AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis).
- A signed employment contract with the employer. If your work activity involves caring for elderly or sick people, you must provide a certificate of completion of the relevant courses.
Initially, a work visa to Israel is issued for 30 days. After arriving in the country during this period, you must apply to the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs for a visa extension for a period of one year.
Pros and cons of living in Israel
Life in Israel for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and other foreigners from the CIS countries can be more comfortable in comparison with the most prosperous and rich countries in Europe and the world.
But it is almost impossible for people without European roots to immigrate to this state. Let us highlight the positive and negative aspects of moving to Israel for permanent residence.
Pros of living in Israel:
- Israel has a very comfortable climate, unique historical sights, well-groomed sea coasts, delicious cuisine, colorful bars, restaurants and many places for exciting leisure time.
- A developed market economy, focused on high technology, innovation and scientific developments, opens up broad prospects for professional growth and creating a successful business in Israel.
- Modern medicine and a high-quality higher education system. However, the cost of studying at Israeli universities for foreigners is very high. On average, about 10–12 thousand euros per year.
- Good infrastructure and public transport system.
- Low level of street crime.
Disadvantages of living in Israel:
- Most immigrants complain about the high cost of living in Israel. Moreover, everything is expensive - real estate, food, clothing, medical services, and so on.
- High degree of militarization, risk of military conflicts and terrorist attacks.
- Environmental problems including lack of fresh water and hot weather.
- Despite the developed economy, it is very difficult to find a well-paid job in Israel, especially for a foreigner.
- Residents of Israel do not always behave in a welcoming and friendly manner, and many Europeans even consider Israelis to be rude.
