{"id":5675,"date":"2016-12-13T10:43:48","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T10:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/test_manager\/business-tips-doing-business-in-israel\/"},"modified":"2019-07-10T09:44:36","modified_gmt":"2019-07-10T09:44:36","slug":"business-tips-doing-business-in-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/managersoffice.net\/el\/business-tips-doing-business-in-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Tips: Doing Business in Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>WORKING CONDITIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Overseas visitors in Israel do not normally need to apply in advance for a visa. An ordinary\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">tourist visa (B-2), valid for 90 days, is completed on entry into the country. It may be\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">extended for longer by application to the Interior Ministry.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">For a foreign national to work in Israel, a permit must be obtained from the Ministry of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Labour to enable the Interior Ministry to issue the necessary permit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Under the \u2018Law of Return\u2019, immigrants are entitled to permanent resident status, or to an\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A-1 visa, which entitles the immigrant to temporary resident status.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>BUSINESS HOURS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Most businesses, other than retail stores, operate a five-day week, closing on Fridays and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Saturdays, with Sunday a normal working day. Usual business hours for commerce and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">industry are 8\u20139am to 4\u20135pm, Sunday to Thursday, and from 8am\u20131pm if open on Friday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Banks are open daily from 8.30am until 12.30pm. Two to three times a week, banks reopen\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">in the afternoons.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">On Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath), almost all businesses and offices are closed. Statutory\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">holidays are in accordance with the Hebrew calendar. On the eve of the holidays,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">businesses usually cease doing business in the early afternoon.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>FOREIGN INVESTMENT<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>GENERAL BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A positive and open attitude prevails towards foreign investment in Israel.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Government policy is aimed at providing investment incentives to industries which\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">increase the country\u2019s exports and create jobs. There are limited restrictions on sectors in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">which a foreign investor may invest, other than where there are defence considerations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Prior approval for an investment is generally not required except for investment in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">regulated bodies such as banks and insurance companies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Israel is also committed to the principles of free trade, shown by the large number of free\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">trade agreements to which it is party.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Israeli business associations actively seek overseas partners for investing in Israeli\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">companies. In the light of the relatively small domestic market in Israel, export\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">opportunities and international business connections are very important to Israeli\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">businesses. They are generally supportive of government policy regarding incentives and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">often view foreign investors as a further opportunity to expand business and improve\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">standards, rather than as a competitive threat.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>HI-TECH INDUSTRY<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Many international corporations, such as Microsoft, IBM, Intel, Motorola and other\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">companies have invested over the past several years in high-tech industry in Israel by\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">either purchasing Israeli companies or by establishing their own subsidiaries in Israel.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Several Israeli high-tech start-up companies have drawn the attention of the world market\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">and investors because of their remarkable worldwide success in both technical and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">financial arenas.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Because of increasing interest among investors in high-tech projects, involvement of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">venture capital funds has significantly increased. The success of Israeli high-tech companies\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">and the availability of venture capital funds have motivated young Israeli entrepreneurs to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">open their own high-tech companies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Venture capital fund managers support the company in which they invest by providing\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">information, advice and \u2018opening doors\u2019 throughout the world to promote the business of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">the company.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>TYPES OF BUSINESS ENTITY<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Foreign investors who intend to conduct commercial activities in Israel may choose from a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">wide range of legal entities.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The choice will depend on business priorities. Legal entities comprise inter alia companies,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">partnerships, co-operatives, joint ventures and not-for-profit organisations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Individuals may conduct their business without forming any separate legal entity. There are\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">very few restrictions on the foreign ownership of shares and securities of Israeli companies,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">or on foreign involvement in unincorporated enterprises, other than for specific\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">professions such as law and accountancy where local qualifications are required.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>COMPANIES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The most common form of business entity in Israel is a limited company with capital stock\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">(share capital). All companies are formed and regulated under the Companies Law and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Companies Ordinance.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">While there are companies with unlimited liability or limited by guarantee, the most\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">common form of business enterprise in Israel is a company with liability limited by shares.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">There are two types of limited company which are described in greater detail in this\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">section.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>PRIVATE COMPANIES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A private company is prohibited from offering its shares to the public and has restricted\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">rights over the transfer of shares. Currently, a minimum of one and a maximum of 50\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">shareholders are required.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A private company must keep proper accounting records using a double-entry system. A\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">balance sheet and income statement audited by an independent accountant must be\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">submitted to shareholders once a year. Companies must also issue an annual financial\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">statement, generally by 31 December, to coincide with the end of the tax year. While not\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">required, certain private companies also present their financial statements in accordance\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">with securities regulations which apply to public companies, including the adoption of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>PUBLIC COMPANIES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A public company must have at least seven stockholders, with no maximum limit. The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">transfer of a public company\u2019s stocks is not restricted. If a public company\u2019s stocks are\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (the TASE), the company is required to publish\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">annual financial statements and quarterly unaudited (but reviewed by a CPA) financial\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">statements. The format and disclosures of a public company\u2019s financial statements are\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">governed by the Securities Regulations. Public companies are required to make their\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">financial year the same as the tax year.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">As of 2008, listed companies are required to adopt the International Financial Reporting\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Standards (IFRS).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>FOREIGN COMPANIES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Foreign companies doing business in Israel must register with the Registrar of Companies\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">and provide a Memorandum and Articles of Association, list of directors and other required\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">information. All documents can be in Hebrew or English.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Foreign companies wishing to issue securities on the TASE must publish a prospectus and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">present financial reports. The financial reports should be published in both Hebrew and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">English and prepared in Israeli currency according to accounting principles generally\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">accepted in Israel. Companies incorporated in the US are permitted to prepare their\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">financial statements in US dollars, in accordance with accounting principles generally\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">accepted in the US. In certain cases, companies already traded in foreign stock exchanges\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">(like NASDAQ) can register in the TASE and are required to publish only the material the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">company publishes for the foreign stock exchange.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>CAPITAL STRUCTURE<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Capital structures may consist of more than one class of share. The most common form of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">share capital issued is ordinary shares and preference shares. Redeemable shares may also\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">be issued if permitted under the articles of association. Other forms of capital include\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">founder shares (management shares) and deferred shares (warrants).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>DOING BUSINESS IN ISRAEL<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">As a general rule, the TASE encourages the issue of shares with equal voting rights and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">restricts the disparity between the par values of different voting shares. Only one class of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">share may be listed for trading on the parallel list of the TASE.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">An Israeli company may distribute its retained-after-tax earnings by way of dividends. The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">dividends can be distributed from earnings but should not exceed the nominal retained\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">earnings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>PARTNERSHIPS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Partnerships are regulated by the Partnership Ordinance (New Version) 1975. Other than\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">certain professional partnerships, they may have no more than 20 partners. Partnerships of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">lawyers and accountants may have up to 50 partners. Partnerships may be general or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">limited and must be registered with the Registrar of Partnerships if there is an intention to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">carry on a business.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>GENERAL PARTNERSHIP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Each partner has joint and several liability. Each partner is permitted to act on behalf of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">partnership and is held to be its agent, and each partner\u2019s activities and actions are binding\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">on the remaining partners. Each partner is separately assessed for tax on his or her related\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">share of the profits. Foreigners can be partners unless precluded by laws relating to specific\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">professions, where local qualifications are prerequisites to membership.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>FOREIGN PARTNERSHIPS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Foreign partnerships, general or limited, may operate in Israel on condition that they\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">provide information to the Registrar of Partnerships, including details of the partners and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">of at least one Israeli resident who is willing to accept legal notices on their behalf.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Registration rules are the same as for Israeli partnerships.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">JOINT VENTURES<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Joint ventures are distinguished from partnerships by the separate liability attached to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">each participant\u2019s own obligations. The legal documentation should be clear that joint and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">several liability cannot be implied.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>CO-OPERATIVES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Co-operative societies exist mainly in agriculture, marketing, retailing, bus transport and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">trucking. The Co-operative Societies Ordinance governs their activities and co-operatives\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">must register with the Registrar of Co-operatives at the Ministry of Labour.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A special law enacted in 1980 governs not-for-profit organisations which permits activities\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">to be conducted through an \u2018association\u2019. An association must have a management\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">committee, a general meeting of members of the association and an audit committee.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Employer- employee relationships are governed by several mechanisms which are\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">arranged in a specific order to create a form of pyramid, where each level cannot\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">contradict the level above, only add to it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The laws are the highest level and they determine the minimum rights to which employees\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">are entitled. Following the laws are the collective agreements, widening orders which\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">extend the collective agreements to the rest of the economy, collective bargaining and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">personal employment contracts.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Collective bargaining is conducted between the employers\u2019 organisations, the trade unions\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">and the government. Collective bargaining operates in the private sector as well; however\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">here, there is a growing trend towards personal employment contracts.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>UNIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The dominant labour organisation in Israel is the Histadrut, the general federation of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">labour. The labour courts have recognised the right to establish other labour organisations,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">but though this possibility exists, Histadrut is the only countrywide union at present.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The working week is 43 hours according to the Working and Resting Hours law.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The Minimum Wages law determines that the minimum wage is currently ILS 4,650 per\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">month. The minimum wage will be increased gradually to ILS 5,000 by 1.1.2017. The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">minimum wage per hour is 1\/186 from the minimum wage per month.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The retirement age is 67 for men and 64 for women.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>ANNUAL VACATION LAW<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Minimum annual paid vacations range from ten working days after one year of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">employment to a maximum of 24 days dependent on the number of years of employment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">This is in addition to the nine statutory national and religious holidays.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN EMPLOYMENT LAW<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">This law rules that employees must receive equal pay for the same work at the same place<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">of employment, as well as equal treatment on termination of employment. It also forbids\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">sexual discrimination in advertising and filling job vacancies, except where dictated by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">nature of the work. In 1998, the Sexual Harassment in a Workplace law was enacted.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>FOREIGN PERSONNEL<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>WORK PERMITS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Work permits are required before foreign personnel can be employed. Employers, giving\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">details of the prospective employees and explaining why foreign citizens are required,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">must make applications to the Ministry of Labour in writing. Work permits are normally\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">issued for up to one year but can be extended.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Work permit applications generally fall into two categories \u2013 for skilled and non- skilled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">workers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>SKILLED WORKERS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The correct procedure is to obtain a work permit prior to arrival but foreigners may enter\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Israel on a regular visitor\u2019s visa and apply to the Minister of Labour later. With a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">recommendation from the Minster of Labour, the foreign worker then applies to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Ministry of Interior and will need to prove that he\/she has adequate health insurance\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">coverage. The Ministry of Interior will then issue a visitor\u2019s permit of work (B-1) and a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">multiple-entry permit for a period of up to one year with the possibility of extension.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>TAX ON COMPANIES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Companies are liable for company tax and capital gains tax on their Israeli source income\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">and on other income received in Israel, whether or not they are resident in Israel, unless\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">provisions of a double taxation treaty state otherwise.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Resident companies are also liable for capital gains tax on their worldwide gains and,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">where control and management are exercised from Israel, company tax on foreign\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">business income.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">An Israeli resident company is defined as follows:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A company registered in Israel whose main activity is in Israel. However, if registered in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Israel as a foreign company, it will be deemed an Israeli resident company only if it so\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">requests.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">A company controlled and managed in Israel.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>TAX RATES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">The taxable income of Israeli companies is subject to a company tax of 25% for the year\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">2016.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Dividends paid to Israeli individuals or foreign residents (both individuals and companies)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">are subject to withholding taxes of 25% (30% for shareholders holding 10% or above). In\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">the case of existing, valid tax treaties between Israel and other countries, withholding taxes\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">are determined in each treaty. Dividends paid to an Israeli company by another Israeli\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">company are subject to withholding taxes of 0%.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">Approved enterprises, foreign-controlled companies and foreign investors may be subject\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\">to different tax rates.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>Manager\u2019s Office<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #000033;\"><strong>Financial Dept<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Foreign investors who intend to conduct commercial activities in Israel may choose from a wide range of legal entities.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":""},"categories":[153],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.7 - 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