Do residence permits exist without working permit attached?

Although I may be wrong, I know of only 3 types of visas for foreigners:
(1) Tourist
(2) Student
(3) Work
I never heard of a "residence" visa. If someone has, please enlighten me.

firstly, not all jews who come here to work make aliya, and do deal with the hassle of paying work visas (not easy to do, but possible). secondly, there are no residency visas. if you are not jewish NOR can prove your family was resident here since 1948, you can become a permanent resident only if your spouse, parent, or child is jewish. and yes, before you ask, it is quite racist, but that's the law.

The Entry Regulations Into Israel (1974) stipulate many different Visa options including tourist, student, temporary worker, volunteer, clergy, etc.
What you're asking for is some kind of long term/indefinite tourist visa which does not really exist.
There is a stipulation that states that: "He who wants to stay in Israel under a temporary residency permit and who's objective is not one of the purposes laid down in sub-regulations (a) to (d), may apply for an A / 5 visa and temporary residency permit (provisional rules)."

I suggest that you talk to the consular department of the Israeli Embassy in you country or an Israeli lawyer specializing in immigration issues.
Good luck!

I found the following & have copied and pasted from the internet.

A5 – Temporary Residence Visa

The Interior Office in Israel has the discretion to grant an A5 visa (a temporary residence visa) in certain circumstances to a person who wishes to reside in Israel as long as this person is not a student (A2), has not come to Israel as a religious delegate to work in a religious institution (A3), or is not the family member of a person who holds an A2 or A3 visa (A4). The granting of an A5 visa by Israeli missions around the world is dependent upon a clear order from Israel to do so.

Further information on the application process for the A5 visa, to what the holder is entitled, as well as specific nationalities that would be restricted from obtaining one could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

I am not an expert on Israeli visa regulations, but it appears that other countries (e.g. the UK) also do not have a category that you describe, i.e. not a tourist, not an immigrant and not a resident, but something vague in between. I think that the reason is obvious: a "resident"is usually entitled to various benefits and services that the gov't provides. You want to work in the country, use the services but not pay taxes. Why should any govt agree to this arrangement ?

Many countries operate a yearly residence scheme for people such as yourself - Turkey for example offers yearly renewable residency for people who purchase a house and / or make an investment. These people aren't using
services and not paying taxes... taxes take many forms, direct and indirect and one cannot escape them - as
some countries operate dual taxation policies also.

In principle, you can never obtain a residency permit in Israel if you're not Jewish. Your only option is to live in Israel on a tourist visa and to exit and reenter the country every three months. You meet a number of Western Christians who live in Israel this way, they have no other choice.

As long as you convince Israeli border officials that you are not going to the Palestinian territory that you explain how you make a living without working in Israel that you explain that you have your own private health insurance, they should let you exit and reenter but it's not guaranteed. It's easier if some Israeli citizens can vouch for you.

The "temporary residence permit" is usually granted to Jews who made their aliya to Israel but whose Jewishness is challenged by Israeli religious authorities (you can be considered a Jew in the USA but not in Israel for instance). The permit allows them to stay in the country while they appeal the ruling of the religious authorities. I do not think such a permit is granted to non-Jews, unless you're engaged to an Israeli Jewish citizen who can vouch for you.

It might be a good idea to choose a country which is easier on Westerners, such as Egypt or Lebanon. Or maybe you can find an Israeli boyfriend / girlfriend.

Alternatively, you can convert to Judaism. You can convert with a Reform rabbi in the space of a few weeks and get Israeli citizenship immediately thereafter. Converts to Reform Judaism are accepted as Jews under the Law of Return, although they are not recognized by the Orthodox authorities and thus can't get married in Israel.

@catw,
You know several non Jews who haven't met the criteria for a residency permit so you conclude that it is impossible for non Jews to get a residency permit? I'm not following your logic.
The "temporary residency permit" I wrote about has nothing to do with making "aliya" or having a questionable Jewish background.
How can you write in such vivid detail ("The permit allows them to stay in the country while they appeal the ruling of the religious authorities") about something that is simply factually incorrect?