Important Time Periods Every Caregiver in Israel Should Know
iSavta | 01.04.2026
For migrant caregivers in Israel, there are several important time periods and deadlines that affect your legal status, salary deductions, and visa options. These rules can sometimes be confusing because they come from different authorities and systems, and they are counted separately.
Understanding these timelines can help caregivers avoid legal problems and make better decisions about their work and stay in Israel.
Below are the three different systems of time periods that caregivers should be aware of.
A. Time Periods Set by the Immigration Authority (PIBA)
The first system is set by the Population and Immigration Authority, often called PIBA. These rules determine how long a caregiver can legally remain in Israel after a job ends.
If a caregiver does not follow these time limits, they may become “illegal” in Israel, which can lead to detention or deportation.
1. Caregivers in Israel for less than 51 months
If your employment ends—whether because of resignation, dismissal, or the death of the employer—you have up to 90 days to either:
- Register with a new employer, or
- Leave Israel.
2. Caregivers in Israel for 51–63 months
The rules are stricter for caregivers who have already spent a longer time in Israel.
- You have 30 days to register a relieving job (temporary employment).
- Between relieving jobs, you are also given 30 days to register another job.
If no relieving job is registered within the first 30 days, caregivers are given another 30 days to prepare to leave Israel.
This means the total time allowed before becoming illegal is 60 days.
It is also important to remember that if an employer passes away, the date of death is considered the official end of employment.
3. Caregivers whose Special Visa application was rejected
If a caregiver applied for a humanitarian or special visa and the application was rejected, they usually have 30 days from the date they receive the rejection letter to prepare to leave Israel.
B. Time Periods Related to the Pikadon Fund
The second system involves the Pikadon Fund.
This system is separate from the immigration rules described above.
If a caregiver becomes illegal in Israel, deductions from the Pikadon fund will begin 30 days after the illegal status starts.
The longer a caregiver overstays in Israel after becoming illegal, the larger the deductions from the Pikadon fund will be. These deductions increase every month of overstaying.
Because of this, it is very important to understand when your legal stay ends and to act quickly before penalties begin.
C. Time Periods for Applying for a Humanitarian “Special” Visa
The third system relates to applications for a humanitarian “Special Visa.”
These time limits are separate from both the PIBA deadlines and the Pikadon deductions. They determine how long you have to register with an employer under special humanitarian conditions.
1. Special Visa for elderly employers
Caregivers may qualify for this visa if:
- They have been in Israel less than 8 years,
- It is their first Special Visa application, and
- Their employer passed away or moved to a nursing home.
In these situations, caregivers usually have 120 days from the date of death or transfer to a nursing home to arrange employment and submit the application.
2. Special Visa for patients under 67 with severe disability
If the patient is under 67 years old and has 188% disability, caregivers may apply for a humanitarian visa.
In this case, the caregiver has 150 days from the termination of the last legal job to apply.
Why These Deadlines Matter
Because these three systems operate separately, caregivers must be careful not to confuse them. The immigration deadlines, Pikadon deductions, and humanitarian visa timelines are counted differently and serve different purposes.
Knowing these rules can help caregivers protect their legal status, avoid financial deductions, and explore visa options when necessary.
If you are unsure about your situation, it is always best to speak with your agency, legal advisor, or a workers’ support organization as soon as possible. Acting early can help prevent serious problems later.
