To enter Israel, as with most countries, one must hold a valid B/2 visitor visa. Israel grants B/2 visas in a variety of ways to different categories of visitors:
- Visitors who are citizens of countries with which Israel has signed an agreement are granted a visa automatically, and in most cases free of charge, upon entry. These countries include most of the European countries, the United States, Canada and others.
- Visitors who are citizens of countries with which Israel does not have such an agreement must apply for a visa prior to entering Israel.
Application for a B/2 Visitor Visa
If the visitor falls under the second category and must apply for the visa before entering Israel, a visitor may apply for a visa by invitation, which involves two steps:
- Invitation of a visitor by an Israeli citizen or a permanent resident (“Inviter”).
Invitation of a visitor is an option available to citizens or permanent residents of Israel only. The Inviter must refer to the local Ministry of Interior (MOI) department with the following forms and documents:
- Completed and signed visa application form
- Passport picture
- A copy of the Inviter’s Identification card
- A copy of the Invitee’s passport and stamped visas
- Letter of invitation including the purpose of the visit, length of time, the relationship between the Inviter and the Invitee, and an obligation of the Inviter to ensure that the Invitee will leave the country as expected
- Certificates and documents as proof of the relationship between the Inviter and the Invitee
- If the Invitee is a minor, the parents’ approval is required.
In addition to submitting the visa application at the Ministry of Interior by the Inviter, the Invitee should refer to the local embassy or consulate to receive the visa. In most cases the visa is granted for a period of 3 months, yet it may be given for a shorter period of time as well. Tourists who wish to enter Israel without an invitation may refer to the embassy near their home in order to submit the visa application.
It should be noted that the different embassies around the world require a different list of documents as part of the visa application. Therefore, the Invitee or the independent tourist should check, prior to their interview, the visa requirements. In most cases the list is displayed on the embassy’s website Submitting a visa application by a visitor at an Israeli consulate or embassy around the world.
The above is general information only, it should be noted that every case is considered individually. If you have additional questions regarding the process, please contact us for further information.
This article was written by Dotan Cohen Law Offices, working in the field of immigration law in the United States, Canada, Australia and England. All said and explained in this article does not constitute a legal opinion and does not replace legal advice. Responsibility for using the wordings and opinions conveyed in this article relies solely and entirely on the reader.
