Background and context: Barriers that hindered the integration of professional Olim
New Olim bring with them international skills, experience, and education in critical areas such as engineering, social work, education, finance, medical professions, and more. However, until today, the lengthy certification processes in Israel represent a heavy burden and are a significant factor in the decision to make Aliyah. These processes delay and even prevent Olim who chose to make Aliyah from integrating into work immediately upon arrival.
Government decision: Fast track for professional Olim
This decision continues Government Resolution 2104 from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, which aims to remove regulatory barriers for professional licensing of Olim to enable rapid integration in Israel.
Key points of the decision:
- Remote document submission – The certification process can begin before making Aliyah and receive preliminary approval before obtaining an ID card and arriving in Israel, which is expected to dramatically reduce the time to obtain the license.
- Reduction of internship period in various professions – For engineers, half a year will be reduced from the internship period, for surveyors one year will be reduced, veterinary doctors will receive a temporary work license, insurance agents up to 3 months.
- Automatic recognition of licenses – The Ministry of Justice will create a specific ‘New Oleh Accountant’ license so that Olim with two years of experience will be recognized as such by the Council of Accountants. In the Ministry of Welfare, they will lead a change so that the process of recognizing social worker licenses from abroad will be conducted while Olim are in their country of origin, allowing them to know in advance if their degree will be recognized upon arrival in Israel. Olim veterinarians with 10 or more years of experience will be exempt from examinations.
- Flexible licensing processes – In financial professions such as insurance agents and pension advisors, internships can begin before passing exams. In surveying, exams can be taken during the internship.
- Personal guidance for each Oleh – The government decision provides individual assistance from government ministries throughout the licensing process, until integration into the labor market. The importance of this decision lies in providing Olim with certainty and transparency throughout the process, making it easier for them to integrate into the labor market and focus on their professional and personal success in Israel.
Expected Impact: Growing Economy, Strong Market
- Direct income to the economy: Implementation of the reform is expected to bring between 1.9 and 3.8 billion shekels to the state treasury by 2034.
- According to research conducted by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, there will be an addition of over 15,000 skilled workers to the labor market in the coming years, among others in professions where shortages are most severe.
- Savings of up to 2.1 billion shekels from reducing waiting times and training experienced workers.
- Improvement of public services – Shortage of doctors, teachers, social workers, and engineers would cause deterioration in health, education, and welfare services. The rapid integration of Olim will help strengthen these systems.
- The government decision leads to Israel closing the gap with OECD countries – In countries like Germany, France, and Britain, there are fast-track licensing routes for essential professions, and Israel is now joining this advanced policy.
Making Aliyah? What to do?
- Online document submission – The licensing process can begin before making Aliyah.
- Obtaining preliminary approval – Before receiving Israeli ID.
- Significant reduction in licensing procedures – Adaptations for foreign licenses, automatic recognition in some professions, and personal guidance for each Oleh.
- Immediate job integration upon arrival – Without months of waiting and loss of income.
