An Israeli Visa is an authorization to enter Israel and remain here for a specific permitted period. It also underlines the activities that you can perform while you are in Israel with a visa.
Israel Visa Types
Depending on the reason why you are applying for a visa to Israel, you have several visa options to apply for. The Israeli visa types are as follows:
- Immigration Visa. This is a visa for persons of Jewish roots living abroad, who wish to move and live in Israel.
- A/1 Temporary Resident visa. It is granted to those eligible for immigration (aliya) that have completed the examination process with the Aliya representative of the Jewish Agency, and whose application has been examined and approved by the diplomatic / consular representative at an Israeli mission.
- A/2 Student visa. Every person who wants to study in Israel in elementary and high schools, academic institutions, yeshivot and youth institutions of the Jewish Agency can apply for this visa.
- A/3 Clergy Visa. You can apply for this visa if you are a clergyman, and you are applying for the fulfilling of your clerical duties among your religious community in Israel, pursuant to the invitation of a recognized religious institution in Israel.
- A/4 visa for spouses and children. It is granted to the spouses and minor children of recipients of A/2 or A/3 visas.
- B/1 Work visa. You can apply for this visa if you want to move to Israel for a limited period under the purpose of work.
- Working Holiday Visa. Only youngsters from a few specific countries can apply for this visa, to come and work in Israel.
- B/2 Visitor’s visa. Tourists, visitors, businessperson, and students in a Hebrew Ulpan can apply for this visa.
- Official Diplomat/Government Visa. It is granted to persons who hold an official government passport and/or will be entering Israel on an official government mission.
- Israel – US Investor Visa. This visa is only for US citizens and permits them to reside and work in Israel on a temporary basis for the purpose of managing and developing a business venture.
Israel Visa Application Process
The application procedures for a visa to Israel consist of several steps that you must follow according to the instructions. You must make sure that you meet the given criteria in every step, in order to avoid any possibilities to have your visa application rejected.
Do I Need to Apply for a Visa to Israel?
Whether you need to apply for a visa to Israel or not, it all depends on your nationality. Nationals of several world countries are exempt from getting a B/2 Visitor’s visa. Check here if you are a national of any of these countries.
On the other hand, if you want to travel to Israel for any other purposes than those the B/2 Visitor’s visa covers, you will need to get the applicable visa.
When to Apply for an Israel Visa?
The recommended time to apply for your Israel visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.
Where to Apply for an Israel Visa?
In order to get an Israeli visa, you will need to submit your application at the Israeli embassy or consulate in your country of residence. In several countries, Israel has outsourced visa admission to third-party visa processing centers.
If such a visa center admits applications for Israeli visas in your country of residence, you should submit yours there.
Complete the Israel visa application form
Before you proceed with the other steps, you should complete the application form for a visa to Israel. You can complete the form in either English or Hebrew. You can find an application form here.
You can fill the form in your computer and then print it, or you can complete it with a pen of any other color than black. You will need to respond questions on your nationality, name, surname, parents’ full names, your occupation and your intended trip to Israel.
Do not forget to glue a photo to the application form in the given space, which photo must meet the ICAO specifications.
Collect the required documents
You will need to collect a few documents as a part of your application for an entry visa to Israel.
The commonly required documents for a visa to Israel are the documents required from every visa applicant no matter the purpose of the trip. These documents are:
- Visa application form. The form differs depending on the visa you are applying for. Make sure you download and complete the right one.
- Two passport-size photographs. They must have a white background and be in size 5.5 cm X 5.5 cm.
- Your valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended duration of stay in the Israel territory and with at least one blank page to affix the visa.
- Older passports. You must submit all passports that you hold, including current/old/cancelled/expired/special passport.
- Flight Booking. You do not need to purchase the tickets as if your application is rejected, you will lose your money. You just need a saved seat on a flight to Israel as a proof of the date you intend to travel here.
- Birth Certificate.
- Payment of the applicable fee for the visa type you are applying for.
Aside from these documents, you will also need to submit additional ones, related to the purpose of your trip/the visa type you are applying for. Make sure you submit every single required document according to the criteria set by the relevant Israeli authorities.
Attend the visa interview
Among the most important procedures for applying for an Israel visa, is attending the visa interview. On the same day, you also need to submit the documents you have collected.
The visa interview is a meeting with a consular officer, who will ask you several questions regarding your intended trip to Israel, where you will stay and how will you finance your trip. The interviewer also asks questions on your background, i.e. if you are married, where have you studied or where your work, etc.
Pay the fees
You will need to pay a specific amount of money in order for the embassy to process your application for an Israeli visa. The Israel Visa fees vary from €21 to €41, except for the Permanent Residence Visa, which will cost you €167.
To apply for a visa to Israel every visa applicant will need to pay a certain amount of money for the visa fee.
The Israeli visa fee is required from the authorities in order to cover the expenses that come out of the processing of visa applications. The visa costs are non-refundable in case the applicant decides to withdraw his or her application, or if the embassy rejects their visa application.
The Israel visa costs, depending on the visa type, are as following:
| Type of service | Euro | Dollar |
| B/3 Visa | 21.00 | 24.00 |
| Group Visa | 21.00 | 24.00 |
| Group Visa – per person | 6.00 | 7.00 |
| A/3-Clergy Visa | 41.00 | 47.00 |
| A/4-Temporary Visa | 41.00 | 47.00 |
| A/5 Temporary Residence Visa | 41.00 | 47.00 |
| B/2-Visitor Visa | 21.00 | 24.00 |
| Separate Form – B/2 Visa | 21.00 | 24.00 |
| Return Visa | 21.00 | 24.00 |
| B/4-Volunteer Visa | 21.00 | 24.00 |
| B/1-Work Visa | 41.00 | 47.00 |
| Permanent Residence Visa | 167.00 | 191.00 |
| Permanent Residence Visa – per person | 20.00 | 23.00 |
| A/2-Student Visa | 41.00 | 47.00 |
| B/5 Permitted to work – Foreign Investor Rules | 180.00 | 205.00 |
| B/51 Permitted to work – Foreign Investor Rules- Employee | 180.00 | 205.00 |
| B/52 Permitted to work unrestrictedly | 180.00 | 205.00 |
| B/53 Foreign Investor Rules – Child | 180.00 | 205.00 |
Israel Visa Processing
The Israeli authorities take at least five days to process your application for an Israel visitor entry visa. On the other hand, processing times for work visas can take from 12 to 14 weeks.
Israel “Electronic Gate Pass”
The “Electronic Gate Pass” is a card that you receive at the Border Control station when you enter Israel. The card contains details about your purpose of the trip, date of arrival, as well as a copy of the info page of your passport.
The card replaces the previous system in which the passports were stamped. If an official inspector or police officer requests identification and proof of legal status in Israel, you should present this card, so keep it always with you.
Confirmation required
Israel visa applicants from several world countries, most of them from the Arab world, need to require a confirmation from the government of Israel before getting a tourist visa.
Holders of national and official passports of the following countries need to get a confirmation for Israeli tourist visa:
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Egypt*
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Malaysia
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- North Korea
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Russia (only for official passport)
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
*Except for stays up to 14 days if entering through Taba, and visiting up to Beersheba only when visa is not required.
Entry Requirements for Israeli Visa Exempt Travelers
World nationals that can enter Israel without the need of getting a visa previously will still need to present a few documents at the Israel port of entry. These documents are:
- A passport valid at least six months on entry with two blank visa pages.
- Proof of sufficient funds, i.e. bank statements, or cash.
- Proof of onward/return airline tickets.
- Documents showing proof of purpose of trip.
- A visa for the next destination, if required.
Can I visit Arab countries with an Israeli stamp in my passport?
There are a few Arab countries that you cannot visit if you have an Israel stamp on your passport, and there are others that do not make any problem out of it. These countries are as follows:
- Arab/Muslim countries that accept visitors with Israeli stamped passports: United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Morocco.
- Arab/Muslim countries that DO NOT accept visitors with Israeli stamped passports: Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Can I visit Israel with a stamp of an Arab country in my passport?
Yes, you can enter Israel even if you bear a stamp of one of the Arab countries on your passport. Yet, you should be prepared to answer a lot of questions on your trip to that Arab country.
What is Aliyah for Israel?
The Aliyah is the Israel Law of Return under which is granted the immigration visa for persons of Jewish roots living abroad, who wish to move and live in Israel. Those who are officially converted to Judaism can also apply for this visa.
Also read: How to Apply for Israeli Citizenship?