West Bank Businessperson or Investor Permit

PalestineStarting a business

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Is this for a founder, startup entrepreneur, self-employed person, freelancer, company owner or another business profile?

This route is for businesspeople and investors, one of the categories of COGAT work permits for employment in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria area); foreigners are forbidden to operate a commercial business or work there except under a COGAT permit.

See recorded sources

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
A. In keeping with the Order regarding prohibition of employment (West Bank area) (No. 65), 5727/1967, foreigners are forbidden to operate commercial business is the Area and forbidden to work there except under a permit from a COGAT unit.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
D. Permits under this clause shall be issued to employees under the following categories:
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
5) Businesspeople and investors:

What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?

The procedure does not publish the substance test: businesspeople and investors are assessed according to economic criteria to be defined by the authorised COGAT official. The application must include an official Palestinian Authority invitation and an official invitation from the Inviter stating the requested dates, the nature of the activity and the employment contract.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The economic criteria themselves are not published in the procedure.

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
According to economic criteria to be defined by the authorized COGAT official.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
3) An official document of invitation on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. 4) An official invitation on behalf of the Inviter, including the requested dates for the visit, the nature of the activity, and the employment contract.

What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?

Answer not available

What business/self-employed activity may the holder conduct? Are there important restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

Permits under this clause are work permits for employment in the Area and allow repeated passages into and out of the Area without a new permit each time. Spouses and children may enter under an 'Accompanying Relatives' permit. The official source does not state which business activities are allowed or restricted.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The procedure does not specify which business activities are allowed or restricted, nor whether the holder is tied to a specific business.

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
B. This clause regularizes the issuance of permits that are provided for the purpose of employment in the Area, and permits issued under this clause shall be considered work permits.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
6) Multi-use permits: Notwithstanding stipulations elsewhere in this procedure, permits issued under this clause shall allow for repeated passages into and out of the Area with no need to request a permit for each.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
5) Entry of accompanying relatives: Spouses and children may enter by means of an "Accompanying Relatives" permit in accordance with clause 7 of this section.

What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?

Application at least 60 days in advance with an official Palestinian Authority invitation; permit issued for up to one year, renewable up to 27 months; beyond 27 months a new application may be made after departing overseas, with total residence under this part capped at 5 years cumulatively; after 5 years, return only once 9 months have passed since departure; exceptionally the authorised COGAT official may approve up to 5 years more (cumulative up to 10 years). Extension requires a residency extension form plus an explanatory letter signed by Inviter and employee.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

No longer-term or permanent residence direction is stated in the procedure.

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
1) The entry permit application form must be submitted at least 60 days in advance, together with an official invitation from the Palestinian Authority.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
A. Term of permit: The permit shall be issued for a period of up to one year and shall be renewable for a period not exceeding 27 months. If the period of work for a steadily employed foreigner is to exceed 27 months, then a new application may be submitted after the foreigner's departure overseas, provided that the entire period of residence under this part of the procedure shall not exceed 5 years cumulatively. If after a cumulative total of 5 years, the foreigner wishes to return to the Area, then the foreigner may do so only after 9 months have passed since the date of his/her departure from the Area.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
B. Notwithstanding the content of clause (a) above, the authorized COGAT official may approve the stay of a foreigner in the Area under this clause for up to 5 years more (and for a cumulative period of up to 10 years) in exceptional cases and on grounds of special considerations that must be documented, including participation in unique projects and contribution to the Area's education and economic welfare.
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/policy/judeaentry2022/en/%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%20%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%AA%20%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%20%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9D%20%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9F%20%D7%93%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A8%202022%20%282%29.pdf
4) To request a permit extension for an employee, the Inviter / employee must fill out a residency extension application form and attach a printed explanatory letter signed by the Inviter and by the employee.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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West Bank Businessperson or Investor Permit

Is this for a founder, startup entrepreneur, self-employed person, freelancer, company owner or another business profile?

What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?

What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?

What business/self-employed activity may the holder conduct? Are there important restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.