Israel Visa Types, Requirements, and Application
Located in the Middle East, Israel is considered a developed country. Do you know how many types of Israel visas there are? How to apply for an Israel visa? This article will answer your questions.
Who needs a visa to enter Israel?
Passport holders from the following countries do not need a visa to enter Israel. The list includes:
- European Union
- Other countries
Other cases:
- In the case of 🇷🇺 Russian officials, a Israel visa coupled with an Israel government-issued confirmation are required.
- Moreover, a 🇩🇪 German born prior to January 1, 1928 will need a free Israel visa if he/ she has not carried out any activities related to Nazi Germany.
- An Israel visa is not compulsory for 🇪🇬 Egyptian passport holders within 14 days as long as their plan is only entering through Taba and visiting the city of Beershiba.
- Except for 🇯🇴 Jordanian citizens, holders of a confirmation signed by the Israeli Ministry of Interior who travel in a group of above 10 people are granted a visa on arrival.
- When it comes to the case of 🇵🇸 Palestinians citizens, Palestinian Authority passport holders can get a visa on arrival so as to embark to the Palestine territories.
Israel visa types
Some main types of Israel visa are as follows:
Immigration visa:
If you have Jewish roots and want to head back to live in Israel from abroad, you will need to apply for Israel visa on this matter.
B/1 work visa:
This type of Israel visa allows you to work in Israel as long as you have a stable job from 30 days up to one year. However, the duration does not exceed five years and three months.
This is the list of eligible applicants for this Israel visa.
- Specialists working in academic fields.
- Specialists working in non-academic fields, which do not require a degree of higher education in academic institutions.
- Experts working Up to 3 Months (STEP), who hold a higher education certificate wish to stay in Israel for a maximum of three months.
- High Tech Work experts (HIT), who specialized in hi-tech and cyber entrepreneurs..
- Foreign experts wishing to work in Israel at maximum 45 days per year. They ought to obtain a permit issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Working holiday visa:
This sort of Israel visa is designed for people wishing to work as well as explore the culture and city life of Tel Aviv for up to a year. However, only youngsters aged between 18 and 30 years old from the following countries are eligible for applying for Israel visa on this matter:
However, bearing in mind that the limited number of granted visas for each country lies at 200. Remember, the validity of visas for Australian teenagers is only half a year.
Additionally, participants are only eligible as long as this is the first time they have taken part in this scheme. The processing time is usually 10 working days.
B/2 Visitor visa:
This visa will grant you the right to live in Israel within three months as long as the purpose of the stay falls into the following categories:
- Tourism purpose.
- Business purpose.
- Going to study in a Hebrew ulpan.
Nevertheless, this type of Israel visa does not allow you to work in the country.
Remember, the additional required documents to lodge a Israel visa on this terms are:
- A medical insurance covering at least $40,000.
- The bank statement lasts at least 4 months.
Moreover, once obtaining this visa, due to international conflicts, nationals from the following countries are required to receive a confirmation from the Israeli government.
A/2 student visa:
This visa is suitable for international students who are accepted into institutions in Israel to pursue higher education. In Israel, the types of allowed institutions also include youth institutions of the Jewish agency. However, if one of your parents is Jewish, you are not eligible for this visa.
A/3 clergy visa:
This type of Israel serves the cultural and religious purpose. You will apply for Israel visa of this kind as long as you are a clergyman. It is compulsory that you show the invitation letter signed from an accepted religious institution of Israel.
A/4 visa for spouses and children:
This visa is for people who wish to visit and stay with their family members. Only the partners and the children of the holders of A/2 student visa or A/3 clergy visa can be eligible for this visa application.
Besides, applicants are asked to prepare the letter of invitation of the universities that their family member is studying together with the copy of the valid visa of that partner/ children.
Diplomat visa:
This type of Israel visa is granted for official government passport holders as well as people carrying out a diplomatic mission to Israel.
US investor visa:
If you are an American national and plan to work temporarily in Israel to manage the businesses, you are eligible for this kind of Israel visa.
Additionally, it is worth highlighting that a transit visa is not granted in the Israeli visa system as passport holders do not need to get permission from transiting through Israel territories.
Israel visa requirements
General visa requirements
This is the list of compulsory documents that you must submit to meet Israel visa requirements.
- A passport containing at least two blank pages. It is required that it is valid within at least 6 months and for at least 3 months after the end of travel.
- All previous passports, including canceled and expired passports.
- A duly completed Israel visa application form.
- Two passport-sized photographs. They are required to live up to the following criterias:
– Colored photograph in the white background
– The required size is 5.5 x 5.5 cm.
- Confirmed return ticket proofs.
- Proof of sufficient financial means including the bank statement or bank account.
- Birth certificate or marriage certificate.
- Proofs to justify your accommodation confirmation.
- Receipt of your Israel visa fee payment.
If you fail to meet one criteria of Israel visa requirements, your Israel visa stands a high chance of being rejected.
Additional documents
Apart from other general visa requirements, there are some supplement documents which are up to the type of Israel visa you are applying for.
Employed
- The work contract.
- A confirmation letter issued by your company to indicate your absence and duration of occupation.
- Work leave
- Bank statement which lasts at least 6 months.
- Income tax return ( not compulsory)
- Original bank payment slip
Freelancer/Self-employed
- A copy of business license
- Company bank statement which lasts at least 6 months
Student
- The enrollment letter from the institution.
- Sponsorship proofs in case the applicants cannot have their own financial support during the period of the stay.
Retired
- Documents of pension that last 6 months.
Unemployed
- Proof of sufficient financial means.
- Proof of sponsorship ( if necessary).
How to apply for Israel visa?
Step#1. Make a plan
Pick a reasonable time to apply for Israel visa. You will prepare your Israel visa application, including but not limited to: your duration of visa, your purpose of the stay, your type of Israel visa and choose the nearest application destination to submit the papers.
Step#2. Complete the Israel application form
You will need to fill out the application form with the aforementioned details. The application form is presented in two choices of language which are English and Hebrew. Then, you will gather the required and supplementary documents which are up to the type of applied visa.
Step#3. Pay Israel visa fee
This is the list of Israel visa fees based on the specific categories:
- B/3 visa costs $24.
- Group visa costs $24.
- Group visa costs $24 per person.
- Type A visas cost $47.
- Type B visas ( except for B/1 Work visa) cost $24;
- B/1 Work visa costs $47.
- Permanent Residence visa costs $191.
- Permanent Residence visa costs $23 per person.
Step#4. Set up a visa appointment
You need to book an Israel visa appointment with your application destination.
Step#5. Attend the visa interview
You will hand in your documents to your application destination. This will be the step to confirm your purpose and decide whether you will be granted or rejected. During the interview, the Embassy will take into account whether you have committed crime or potentially harmed the national security and economy.
Step#6. Receive the visa
After processing time, you will be informed by the agency and an Israel visa will be accompanied by your passport. In addition, on account of the convenience and boycott from the Arab League, the Israel passport stamp has been replaced with the Electronic Gate Pass. You will receive it once you arrive at the border control stations.