Innovation Visa for a Foreign Technology Entrepreneur

The procedure for obtaining an Innovation Visa for a Foreign Technology Entrepreneur was approved in 2024 in cooperation with the Population and Immigration Authority, for the benefit of startups and Israeli companies seeking to recruit technology entrepreneurs who are neither residents nor citizens of the State of Israel. This procedure is intended to facilitate the process of obtaining entry, stay, and work authorization for entrepreneurs and researchers in high-tech fields from abroad. The program includes the granting of a stay visa to foreign technology entrepreneurs who wish to develop and invest in ventures conducting research and development activities within the unique innovation environment existing in Israel. 

The purpose of this procedure is to establish the conditions, framework, rules, and criteria for issuing a recommendation to the Population and Immigration Authority for the grant of an Innovation Visa to a Foreign Technology Entrepreneur. The authority to grant such visa rests exclusively with the Population and Immigration Authority, and the Innovation Authority serves solely as a recommending body. 

Entrepreneurs and researchers who are technology experts, are not citizens of the State of Israel, and seek to enter Israel as entrepreneurs and establish companies in Israel. 

Visa – Stay Permit (B/2 issued by the Population Authority)

• The entrepreneur’s background and experience in the field of the proposed venture, and the potential to develop and advance the venture successfully. 
• The added value of the supporting framework to the success of the venture. 
• A high degree of technological innovation and a practicable feasibility plan. 
• Research and development activities to be carried out in Israel. 
• Significant business potential for the venture, including potential in the global market. 
• Potential for establishing an industrial company in Israel. 

A foreign technology entrepreneur seeking to submit an application for an Innovation Visa should submit an application to the Innovation Authority in accordance with the applicable procedure, as published on the website. To avoid any doubt, the Entrepreneur’s Application must include, inter alia: 

An explicit statement identifying the supporting framework that will accompany the entrepreneur for the purpose of developing the technological concept. 

• A declaration from the supporting framework confirming that it will support the entrepreneur during his or her stay in Israel. 
• A declaration by the foreign technology entrepreneur regarding the sources of funding for covering his or her living expenses throughout the entire period of stay. 
• Research and development activities intended to be carried out in Israel. 
• Applications submitted by entrepreneurs shall be reviewed in accordance with the chronological order in which they are received (FIFO). 

The Entrepreneur’s Application will be reviewed by a professional examiner appointed by the Innovation Authority in accordance with the criteria established under this procedure, including, the quality and substance of the relationship between the foreign technology entrepreneur and the supporting framework, and the research and development activities to be carried out. 

The Entrepreneur’s Application and the opinion of the professional examiner shall be submitted to the CEO  of the Innovation Authority for consideration of the application. The decision of the CEO of the Innovation Authority will be provided in writing for the information and use of the foreign technology entrepreneur. 

A foreign technology entrepreneur whose application for a recommendation under this procedure has been approved by the CEO of the Innovation Authority, and who wishes to act upon such approval and come to Israel for the purpose of developing his or her venture, must submit an application for an Innovation Visa to the Population and Immigration Authority for the duration of the venture to be carried out within the approved supporting framework, for a period of up to two years. 

Please Note:

• It is hereby clarified and emphasized that the Innovation Authority, and/or any authority of the State of Israel, shall bear no responsibility for the entrepreneur’s engagement with an approved supporting framework.
• For the purpose of avoiding any doubt, approval of an application under this procedure shall not entitle the applicant to any monetary grant whatsoever, and nothing in this procedure shall be construed as an undertaking by the Innovation Authority or any other body to make any payment whatsoever.
• Nothing in this procedure should be construed as an undertaking by the Innovation Authority to approve any application submitted for its approval.
• Rules, notices, and the like to be established with respect to this procedure will be published on the Innovation Authority’s website.