Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) announced on March 19, 2026, that all visas expiring during April and May 2026 will be automatically extended by three months. The extension is automatic — there is no need to visit a PIBA office. This is the second round of automatic visa extensions since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion (מבצע שאגת הארי), Israel’s military response to the conflict with Iran that began on February 28, 2026.
Which Visas Are Covered#
The following visa types are included in the automatic extension:
- B/1 – General Work Visa: The most common visa for Asian workers in Israel, covering agriculture, construction, caregiving, and other sectors
- B/2 – Tourist Visa: For visitors currently in Israel on tourist visas
- B/4 – Volunteer Visa: For those volunteering through recognized organizations
- A/1 – Temporary Resident Visa: For temporary residents
- A/2 – Student Visa: For students currently studying in Israel. Important: Agricultural trainees are excluded from this extension
- A/3 – Clergy Visa: For religious workers and clergy members
- A/4 – Companion Visa: For family members accompanying visa holders
- A/5 – Temporary Resident Visa: For long-term temporary residents
- DCL permit: For family reunifications and humanitarian cases
- Inter-visa: For workers between visa assignments
Important clarification for sector workers#
The official PIBA announcements list the B/1 General Work Visa as covered. However, immigration practitioners reviewing the announcement (see the Aid for Israel’s Community / aic.org.il summary and Erickson Immigration Group’s analysis) note that the restricted, sector-specific work permits issued through the Foreign Workers Administration — the permits most agricultural, construction and caregiving workers actually hold — were not addressed in the same digital-extension notice and have been handled on a separate track. In other words, “B/1” on paper is not always the same permit category as the sector permit in your passport.
If you are a Thai agricultural worker, an Indian or Chinese construction worker, or a caregiver, do not assume the automatic extension covers you. Confirm your status directly with your employer or recruitment agency, or contact PIBA (details below) before your original expiry date. Agricultural trainees on A/2 visas are explicitly excluded.
What This Means in Practice#
The extension is applied automatically by PIBA. You do not need to take any action, visit any office, or submit any paperwork. Your visa is extended by exactly three months from its original expiration date.
For example, if your visa was set to expire on April 15, 2026, it is now valid until July 15, 2026. If your visa expires on May 30, 2026, it is extended to August 30, 2026.
Keep your existing visa document — it remains your proof of legal status. The extension is recorded in PIBA’s systems automatically.
Previous Extension Round#
This is the second round of automatic extensions. On March 2, 2026, PIBA announced that visas expiring between February 22 and March 31, 2026 would be extended by three months. That announcement also covered approximately 4,600 inter-visas for workers who were abroad at the time, extending them through April 30, 2026.
The new March 19 round covers visas expiring in April and May 2026, ensuring continued coverage as the security situation continues.
Background: Operation Roaring Lion#
The visa extensions are part of Israel’s broader emergency measures during Operation Roaring Lion (מבצע שאגת הארי), the military operation responding to the conflict with Iran that began on February 28, 2026.
During this period, PIBA offices are open only for emergency services between 8:00 and 12:00, and visits require an appointment. Israel’s airspace has been subject to closures, affecting the ability of foreign workers to enter and leave the country by air. Workers can still enter Israel through land border crossings.
PIBA has also been conducting webinars for Filipino and Sri Lankan workers to provide safety information and guidance during the security situation.
How to Check Your Status and What to Keep#
Because the extension is digital, there is no new sticker or document — which can make it hard to prove your status to an employer, landlord or at a checkpoint. Practical steps:
- Keep your passport and existing visa document together. They remain your primary proof of legal status.
- Save any SMS notification PIBA sends about the extension, and keep a copy of the official PIBA announcement (screenshot the gov.il page or the PIBA Telegram post). If anyone questions your status, you can show the message plus the public announcement.
- Count three months from your original expiry date — not from the announcement date — to know your new expiry.
- If you are unsure whether you are covered, contact PIBA before your original expiry date rather than after. Do not let a visa lapse on the assumption you are covered.
If Your Visa Type Is Not Listed or You Are Unsure#
If your visa type does not appear on the list above, or you hold a sector-specific work permit and are not sure it is covered, contact PIBA directly:
- General phone: 3450* (from within Israel)
- Multilingual foreign-worker assistance line: 1-700-707-889 — PIBA opened this line during the security situation for foreign workers in several languages
- Website: gov.il
- PIBA Telegram: @pibaIsrael
Note that A/2 visa holders who are agricultural trainees are not covered by this extension. If you hold an A/2 visa, check whether your specific category is classified as a student visa or an agricultural trainee visa. Many Thai workers in Israel hold work permits issued through the Foreign Workers Administration; as noted above, these sector permits are not automatically covered by this digital extension and should be confirmed directly.
Staying Safe and Informed During the Emergency#
Visa status is only one part of getting through the security situation. If you are a non-Hebrew speaker, also make sure you understand the emergency alert system and know where to find safety information in your language:
- Israel’s Four-Stage Alert System: A Guide to Home Front Command Warnings — what each alert level means and how much time you have to reach shelter
- Population and Immigration Authority emergency preparedness videos in Chinese, Hindi and Thai — official safety guidance in your own language
- PIBA guidance webinars for foreign worker employers — sector-specific guidance your employer should be following
Sources: PIBA official Telegram channel, gov.il visa extension announcement (March 2, 2026), PIBA official WhatsApp channel (March 19, 2026)
