Finland & United Kingdom – Update: Companies with Employees in Israel

Due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the governments of Finland and the United Kingdom have announced updated travel advisories regarding travel to and from Israel.  Government-supported flights have been arranged for the repatriation – or removal to safe third countries – of Finnish and U.K. nationals out of Israel while the situation remains unsafe.

According to the U.K. authorities, the Israeli government has declared a state of emergency across the whole country.  International borders (air and land) in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice.¹

As noted on the Finnish Embassy’s (in Israel) Facebook page, flights have been organised to repatriate Finnish nationals and Finland residents/nonresidents from Israel.²  Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advice for those planning to travel to Israel.³

Similarly, the U.K. government has also updated its travel advice for those intending to travel to Israel⁴ and Is asking British nationals in Israel to tell the U.K. government if they are in Israel and to follow plans laid out to support their departure from Israel.⁵

This GMS Flash Alert provides a brief update with respect to the situation as it impacts employers and their employees in Israel or employees with plans to travel to Israel.  Please note this situation is fluid and policies are changing rapidly.  It is advised that interested/concerned parties check with their travel agents, immigration counsel, and/or global mobility professionals for up-to-date developments. 

Please note the security situation in Israel and Gaza remains unstable due to the conflict, and sudden operational changes should be expected.

Companies with Finnish/U.K. nationals or third-country national workers in Israel will want to be aware of government policies in respect of safety regarding presence in Israel and travel to, out of, and within Israel.

Employers should be communicating “next steps” with their employees in Israel and implement any “in place” action plans to secure the safety of such employees as soon as possible.

Please note the security situation in Israel and Gaza is fluid and concerned parties should be monitoring the websites of the relevant home-country embassies and consulates in Israel.

Some points (valid as of publication of this newsletter):

• Ben Gurion Airport has remained operational, some commercial airlines have continued flights to and from Israel, albeit with several flights being delayed or cancelled.  Availability of flights should be checked on a specific-airline basis (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/).
• No reported consular or embassy closings.
• Israelis should be able to use a valid foreign passport to leave and to enter Israel, until 31.12.2023.⁶
• Israel citizens are visa free to enter the Schengen area, i.e., they can stay for a duration of maximum 90 days in any 180-day period, but right to work remotely during this time needs to be checked per country – however, in most Schengen countries this may be possible for a short period.⁷
• Expiration date of all currently-valid work visas expiring for the next month will be extended to at least 9 November 2023.⁸  After this period, if no subsequent notification is issued, work permits, or visas will need to be extended in accordance with the standard procedures.
• Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), including Foreign Workers Administration, is closed to the public; Work Permit Unit working in limited capacity.⁹
• Work permit applications currently in process may be delayed due to staff shortages within the immigration authorities in Israel and/or at Israeli Consulates internationally.

As the situation continues evolve, we will monitor the developments closely and provide updates.  

Please consult with your qualified immigration counsel or a member of the global immigration team with KPMG in Finland or in the U.K. (see the Contacts section).

For additional information, you may refer to this webpage of International SOS: https://www.internationalsos.com/newsroom/press-announcements/supporting-your-employees-in-israel .

1  See: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-tel-aviv .

2  See: https://finlandabroad.fi/web/isr/mission .

3  See: https://finlandabroad.fi/web/isr/etusivu .

4  See: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel .

5  See: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-tel-aviv .

6  See the webpage of Israel's Population and Immigration Authority: www.gov.il ("Flying abroad? Do you have an up to date foreign passport?").

7  See: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/israeli-citizens/ .

8  See webpage of Israel's Population and Immigration Authority: www.gov.il ("Swords of Steel: Due to the current security situation in Israel, PIBA has extended the period of validity of all valid visas held by foreigners in Israel, which are due to expire in the coming month. This includes foreign workers in Israel.")

9  See the webpage of Israel's Population and Immigration Authority: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/news111023_1 .

* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Finland and the United Kingdom.