From:  Global Coaching and Consulting

Contrary to Thomas Friedman’s mantra of yore, the world is not flat. In fact, as the Financial Times commented in an August 28th editorial entitled “Rough and Smooth,”* “reality is more messy. Recent history is littered with tales of CEOs from one culture who, for whatever reason, have not stayed the course when put in charge of a company with deep roots in another.” Stuart Chambers aptly phrased it when he resigned as head of Nippon Glass: “I have learned I am not Japanese.”

What executives must grasp is that the behaviors and attitudes that got them to the top in one culture would not necessarily translate when they assumed control of a company in another country. Culture does matter, and on several levels. For executives to succeed in crossing cultures, they must realize that the greatest attribute they bring to the table is not their previous successes or reputation; in fact, these can hinder their effectiveness in a new market. Their greatest strength in moving to a company in a different country is their ability to be nimble and adaptible, open to events as they unfold. As the Financial Times article concludes, “…there is no template for how to run an Asian business – or, for that matter, a British, French, or Russian one. Running any business requires political savvy and managerial flexibility, going outside one’s comfort zone simply requires a double dose. Different business cultures are there to be navigated, not flattened into mush.”

Every culture has its own set of values that govern not only management styles, but all aspects of business, from advertising & marketing to sales to R&D. And, the range of stakeholders, their attitudes and their issues may be quite different from anything the executive had previously encountered. Laws and regulations, investor relations, unions, employee behaviors, and corporate structures are seldom identical from one culture to another, and they seldom exhibit any degree of flexibility in the short term. So, it falls to the executive to be able to adapt to a very different environment if he or she hopes to achieve any degree of success in a foreign company.

Often, however, it is not the above-mentioned workplace related challenges, but the family issues that force an executive either to refuse a lucrative overseas position or to abort it. Family relocation issues can, for example, undermine the effectiveness of an executive when his loyalties and time are split between his family in one country and the company in another. The Japanese media often attacks Sir Howard Stringer for not spending enough time in Sony’s head office. Indeed, the importance of the family’s success in managing the overseas move was given top billing in a recent Harvard Business Review* article on the subject. Simply put, “You can’t be successful in your new role if your home life is in chaos.” So obvious, yet so often overlooked.

Corporate boards of directors are surprised again and again by the failure of CEOs who have not succeeded in running a foreign corporation. The onus is on them, the board members, to be diligent in their search for the right executive, one who has not only the name recognition (the “his PR precedes him” syndrome) or the technical skills, but also an attitude of openness and flexibility, a satisfactory family situation, and a willingness to learn about new cultures. While that may seem an overwhelming task for a board, the consequences of not doing the requisite due diligence in their search can be even more daunting. However, finding the right executive for the right job with the right skills for a particular company and culture can send the company to new levels of success.

From: Kan-Tor Acco

List of Documents Required for Step-by-Step Process

• Marriage Certificate – Original translated into Hebrew or English by a notary with a

verified Apostille stamp or with a seal from the Israeli Embassy;

• Identity card (Teudat Zehut) of the Israeli citizen + a copy;

• Copy of the foreign national spouse/partner’s passport (valid for at least five years);

• 3 passport pictures each of the Israeli citizen and the foreign national spouse/partner;

• Original police certificate for the foreign national spouse/partner (including all previous

names, if any), translated into Hebrew or English by a notary with a verified Apostille

stamp or with a seal from the Israeli Embassy;

• Authorizations of personal status for the foreign national spouse/partner (document

verifying single status, married, divorced, widowed);

• Birth certificate and Document certifying name change (if any) – Originals, translated

into Hebrew or English by a notary with a verified Apostille stamp or with a seal from the

Israeli Embassy;

• Declaration regarding the existence of any children from a previous relationship or

marriage and a declaration of custody/guardianship of the children signed by an attorney;

• Detailed letter explaining the circumstances under which the couple was introduced, the

relationship between the couple (where they were married, when, how, etc.);

• Shared pictures before the marriage, from the wedding, and from life as a couple, family

photos;

• Statements from the Israeli citizen’s family, friends, and acquaintances regarding the

sincerity of the couple’s relationship and marriage of the couple;

• Correspondence between the couple and a printout of their telephone conversations from

the past year;

• Rental contract of the couple (with both of their names appearing on the contract);

• Certifications + 6 pay stubs from the Israeli citizen’s workplace from the last year;

• Certifications + 6 pay stubs from the foreign national partner/spouse from the last year;

• Bills from the Israeli citizen’s apartment: Electricity, Water, Arnona, Gas, Telephone,

Cell phone, Television tax, Cable/Satellite, Taxes, etc.

Please note that the Ministry of Interior, under their sole discretion, may require

additional documentation that is not included in this list.

From: Kan-Tor Acco

Step-by-Step Process for Foreign National Partners/Spouses to Acquire Permanent Residence Status/Citizenship in Israel

General Background

This summary describes the step-by-step process for a foreign national to be granted permanent residence status Israeli citizenship, who is not otherwise eligible for citizenship under the Law of Return, and who is sharing his/her life with an Israeli partner, whether the foreign national and the Israeli partner are married or living together unmarried.

Step-by-Step Process for Married Couples

This process is composed of a number of steps that is meant to test the sincerity of the relationship. It is mainly relevant to an Israeli citizen that married a foreign national in Israel or abroad, regardless of whether the Israeli citizen met the foreign national in Israel or abroad.

The Ministry of Interior has set a number of preliminary conditions that must be met prior to beginning each stage of the process:

• The marriage between the couple was not done fictitiously in order for the non-Israeli partner to receive citizenship and establish a permanent residence in Israel.

• The couple must show sincerity, not hide pertinent facts, nor provide false and/or unsatisfactory details.

• The couple must prove that their shared lives are based in Israel.

• The Ministry of Interior must be convinced that the foreign spouse presents no risk to public health, public security, or national security.

Procedural steps for married couples

1). Stay pursuant to a visitor visa

The foreign spouse, requiring a visa to visit Israel prior to entrance as a result of his/her nationality, must receive a B-2 visitor visa from the Israeli consulate in the place of his/her residence abroad, on the basis of the foreign spouse’s request for status submitted to the Ministry of Interior. A visitor visa granted under this step-by-step process is generally authorized for two months.

2). Stay pursuant to a work visa

After a period of two months, and at the discretion of the Ministry of Interior, the foreign spouse will receive a B-1 work visa for a period of 6-10 months, which permits them to work legally with any employer in Israel, without needing to receive an employment permit from the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor.

3). Stay pursuant to a temporary resident visa

After a period of 8-12 months, the foreign spouse is issued an A-5 visa, which gives the foreign spouse temporary residence status in Israel. The A-5 visa is given for a period of 1 year, and during the step-by-step process, it is extended for 4 years in 1 year increments. The visa provides full social benefits to the foreign spouse from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi), health insurance according to the law, as well as an Israeli identity card (Teudat Zehut).

4.) Stay pursuant to permanent residence status

After 4 1/2 years at least from the beginning of the step-by-step process, the foreign spouse may apply for Israeli citizenship, with the same status as that of an Israeli spouse.

Step-by-Step process for non-married couples

To protect family life and the integrity of the family unit, applicable to foreign citizens as well, the Ministry of Interior has established a “common-law partner procedure” that recognizes the concept of “common-law marriage” as a legitimate status for couples who are not married but nevertheless share a life together as a couple. This procedure allows the foreign national, subject to certain conditions and preliminary inspections, to be granted a status in Israel as the life partner of an Israeli citizen, even if they are not married. This procedure also applies to same-sex partners.

The procedure permits the foreign national partner in a “common-law marriage” to receive the status of a permanent resident after a cumulative period of 7 years. However, the foreign national partner is ineligible to submit a request for citizenship and will not receive the status of an Israeli citizen.

The preliminary procedures for both married and non-married couples are identical in terms of inspections conducted prior to each stage in the process: testing the sincerity of the couple’s relationship, shared life in Israel, and absence of security risk. The difference between the processes for a married couple and a non-married couple relates to the length of the process, the different types of visas granted at each stage throughout the process, and the end result (Israeli citizenship v. permanent residence).

While foreign spouses married to Israeli citizens receive temporary resident status after a period of 6 months on average, and receive citizenship after a period of about 4 years. Until recently, common-law partners of Israeli citizens received temporary resident status after a year and permanent residence status after 6 years.

Recently, the Ministry of Interior made the procedure more stringent for foreign national partners and same-sex partners (common-law partners). Under the new procedure, common-law partners of Israeli citizens will be forced to wait 3 years before receiving temporary resident status that will provide them with social rights such as bituach leumi and health insurance.

Our specialized team understands that companies must produce and attract international competencies in order to become strategic partners in the global industry of business. Therefore, we have developed and implemented global comprehensive relocation solutions for both job seekers and employers. We are successful at relocating people worldwide. Our services in global mobility include:

• Relocation to Israel- Relocation Jobs assists companies and candidates with relocation to Israel including visas, work permits, cost of living, moving, preparation programs, salary and benefit surveys, etc.

• Relocation from Israel- Relocation Jobs assists with relocation from Israel around the world. We provide services for relocation policy, cultural awareness training, tax and labor laws, moving arrangements, etc.

• Relocation anywhere in the world- Relocation Jobs has the capacity and expertise to assist with all aspects of relocation anywhere in the world. Our networks and resources enable us to provide our relocation services globally.

For Relocation Solutions such as an initial meeting, additional information or questions and concerns, please contact us

Our team strongly believes that thorough relocation preparation is the key to a thriving and successful global workforce. Preparation for the new culture and society will ensure the employee and family’s ability for a fast and successful adjustment to the new country.

We provide all-inclusive and up-to-date information for relocation preparation:

-Individualized and personal meetings- step by step guidance for the employee to prepare for relocation, legal aspects of leaving the country of residency; governmental and institutional aspects, benefits, and responsibilities.

-Family assistance- providing complete and detailed information regarding the relocation process of your family including logistics, visas, timetables, etc.

-Cultural and Business training- providing personal and group sessions and seminars regarding cultural training, language, and etiquette. The “Culture Smart” guide book, a series of books focusing on customs and etiquette for every country, can be purchased from Relocation Jobs.

For additional information, please contact us