IRAN
ISRAEL
IRAN
At the western edge of the region , Iran has maintained a predominantly stable Islamic republican government since 1979 . While heavily reliant on oil and gas production , there are significant small-firm manufacturing and agricultural sectors , although much of the economy operates under strict government control . Thus , major inefficiencies and market distortions hamper the overall private business climate . There is significant potential for future growth in Iran that is currently attracting foreign interest and investment . Iran is among the two fastest growing economies in the region , and many economists see it emerging as a global economic power over the next twenty years . However , most international companies are hesitant to invest heavily at this point because of the challenging business climate .
Immigration policy in Iran is trending toward modernisation and increased openness . Early in 2017 , the government launched an electronic visa process applicable for work , business and tourist visas for the citizens of 180 eligible nations . Note , however , that there currently exists a travel ban by the government of Iran on US citizens entering the country . In January of this year , Iran stopped issuing all forms of visas to US citizens in response to the US President ’ s Executive Order banning entry of citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations , including Iran .
ISRAEL
Israel stands alone as the sole non-Muslim nation in the region . While ongoing tensions with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority next door have frequently escalated into military action , the business environment within the Israel is relatively stable for international companies . Israel has a technologically advanced freemarket economy . Like most industrialised countries over the past decade , the economy continues to grow , albeit at a sluggish rate . However , a notable bright spot is Israel ’ s rapidly growing high-tech industry , and there has been a concerted effort on the part of the Israeli government to support this industry in attracting foreign talent in the engineering and technology professions .
While traditionally a challenging destination for corporations and foreign nationals because of its restrictions on many nationalities and preference for Jewish immigration , immigration policy in Israel is trending toward openness , especially in the technology professions . Earlier this year , a new ‘ Innovation Visa ’ program was introduced which provides a 24-month work / residence visa for foreign entrepreneurs to come to Israel to develop new ideas and launch start-up businesses . While this program is just now accepting its first applicants and is too new to estimate processing times , other work authorisation routes in Israel generally process in an average of 8 to 12 weeks . Reportedly , this new visa stream is free of the usual quotas and nationality restrictions and will operate with a more streamlined processing system .
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