Frequently Asked Questions – Orshina
Everything you wanted to know about foreign caregiver permits, monthly caregiving costs in 2026, B/1 visas, regional work rules, and Orshina’s hands-on matching process.
Topics on this page
Eligibility & paperwork
How do we know if we are eligible to employ a foreign caregiver?
Eligibility is determined by Israel’s National Insurance Institute through an ADL dependency assessment. A score of 4.5 or higher generally qualifies the patient for a permit to employ a foreign caregiver. For people aged 90 and above, the process is often simpler and handled directly with the Population and Immigration Authority. Orshina guides families through the initial eligibility check, paperwork collection, and application submission.
How long does it take to arrange a visa for a foreign caregiver?
The permit and recruitment process usually takes between two weeks and one month when the caregiver is already in Israel. Bringing in a new worker from abroad can take one to three months, depending on the source country, candidate availability, and the required approvals.
Costs & rights
What is the full monthly cost of employing a foreign caregiver?
The monthly cost includes minimum wage before permitted deductions, weekly pocket money of about 100 NIS, medical insurance for the foreign worker, and fees paid to the Population and Immigration Authority. Employers must also make pension contributions and severance-related deposits to the designated state deposit account.
Can the nursing allowance be used to pay the caregiver?
Yes. National Insurance care hours can often be converted into a cash allowance that is transferred to the patient’s bank account and helps fund the caregiver’s salary. We assist families with that conversion process with the care providers so the total cost is clearer and easier to manage.
Law & regulation
What are the regional mobility restrictions for foreign caregivers?
Israel is divided into three work regions. A worker registered in a peripheral region cannot automatically move to the center without special committee approval. Orshina’s system filters candidates so families only see caregivers who are legally allowed to work in their residential area, whether they are searching in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, or other regions.
How the process works
Step 1: Emotional and physical needs assessment
It is not only about language and location. We work with families to define the required experience level, care type, and emotional sensitivity, including cases involving dementia, Alzheimer’s, or complex nursing care, so the match is both practical and humane.
Step 2: Legal and technological screening
Orshina cross-checks the family’s employment permit with the caregiver’s B/1 work visa. We verify that the worker is still within the legal time framework in Israel, matches the required work area, and passes relevant checks before the match moves forward.
Step 3: Home onboarding support
Our work does not end with the match. We guide the family on how to prepare the room, structure the first week, and set expectations clearly so the caregiver can settle into the home successfully.
Glossary
B/1 Visa
A temporary residence and work visa used for foreign caregivers employed in Israel.
Nursing allowance
Benefits and services provided by National Insurance to eligible people who need assistance with daily functioning.
Relief caregiver
A caregiver who temporarily replaces the regular worker during home leave or another absence.
ADL
A functional dependency assessment carried out for eligibility determination, usually by a nurse or physiotherapist on behalf of National Insurance.
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