Working in the West Bank as a foreigner: the COGAT work permit

Under the Order regarding prohibition of employment (West Bank area) No. 65 of 1967, foreigners may not operate a business or work in the West Bank except under a permit from a COGAT unit. COGAT's Procedure for Entry and Residence of Foreigners sets out the categories; the version used here is the revision of 21 December 2022, which took effect on 20 October 2022 as a two-year pilot and was still published on the Israeli government portal in June 2026.

Requests must be made in advance, even by nationals of countries whose citizens can visit Israel without a visa, through COGAT's centre for inquiries from foreigners, through the Palestinian Authority, or through the Israeli representative office in the applicant's country. Citizens of states without diplomatic relations with Israel, and of Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain and South Sudan, are not covered by this procedure and need a Palestinian Authority visit permit instead.

The expert and senior employee permit covers five groups: professionals employed by an international organisation active in the area (a company in projects important to the area's development may count as one), other experts employed in Palestinian Authority territory in exceptional fields, teachers at educational institutions or in important projects, licensed physicians at health centres, clinics or hospitals whose specialty is important to the area, and businesspeople and investors under economic criteria set by COGAT.

Lecturers and researchers at Palestinian higher education institutions have their own category. As a rule they need a doctorate, although COGAT may accept a teaching certificate or equivalent expertise; the minimum age is 25. Their permit also counts as a work permit. Volunteers with welfare, health, religious or non-profit bodies get a separate volunteer permit of up to 12 months that does not allow employment.

The entry permit application form is submitted at least 60 days before the planned entry together with an official invitation from the Palestinian Authority; for lecturers and researchers the notice is 45 days, and missing documents must be supplied within 21 days. The applicant states when they last visited the area, the purpose of the employment and the workplace. COGAT assesses the request according to its category, and the foreigner may be called for an interview at the Israeli representative office in their country.

Approval of an advance permit allows the foreigner to arrive at the Allenby Bridge crossing; the final decision on entry is made there after questioning. COGAT may make the permit conditional on a bank or cash guarantee or on other conditions, such as a return ticket.

Permits are issued for up to one year and can be renewed up to 27 months in total. A worker who needs longer may apply again after leaving the area, provided the cumulative stay does not exceed five years; after five years, nine months must pass before returning. COGAT may approve up to five more years, ten in total, in exceptional cases such as unique projects. To renew, the inviter or employee files a residency extension form with a printed letter signed by both. Permits in this category allow repeated entry and exit without a new permit each time.

Spouses and children up to age 21 of a foreigner holding a work or lecturer permit can come on an accompanying relatives permit, applied for together with the main application and with the same documents. They may live in the area only together with the main permit holder, their permits end with the main permit, and unless stated otherwise the spouse may work.