Everything you need to know about an Israel Visa
If
you are a British citizen, in possession of a valid British citizen passport,
you do not need a visa to enter Israel.
All you need is a passport that is
valid for at least six months and has a minimum of two blank pages,
return/ongoing tickets, documents that grant you entry into the next
destination, and sufficient funds to support your stay in Israel.
You
can stay in Israel under the visa-free regime for a span not exceeding three
months per visit.
If you land in the nation via the Ben Gurion Airport, you
will be issued an entry card as opposed to an entry stamp, which is granted at
other ports of entry.
You
are advised to carry your card as well as passport during your entire stay
while you travel to any part within the nation.
A stamped passport or an entry
card is the only authentic evidence which proves that you are visiting Israel
legally. Immigration officials and designated authorities usually ask for proof
of entry documents at crossing points into the Occupied Palestinian Territories
(OPTs).
Under
any scenario, you cannot exceed the granted stay period in Israel. And neither
can you engage in any work-related activities under the visa-exemption policy.
For certain visit purposes, other than tourism, you might need to obtain a visa
prior to your travel dates through the Israeli Embassy in
London.
Hence,
please ensure that you contact the correct authority before planning your trip.
If you are discovered working in Israel without the proper permit/visa, you can
be detained and even deported. And neither can the consular offices offer a
helping hand in this manner since it involves the immigration laws of a foreign
country.
Entry requirements for foreigners or British citizens visiting Israel for purposes other than tourism
If you are residing in the UK but do not hold a British passport or if you are a British citizen but planning to enter Israel for purposes other than tourism, you might need to apply for a visa through the embassy in advance and prior to your travel dates.
It is recommended to lodge a visa application one or two months before your planned arrival in Israel.
The consular section issues visas for Immigration, Temporary Visit, Studies, Clergy, Spouse and Child, Working Purposes and Visit.
For submitting an application, you will need:
- A completely filled and signed visa application form
- A passport that is valid for a minimum period of six months and has at least two blank pages
- A valid visa to the UK that holds a minimum validity of six months OR a valid UK residence permit
- A recent passport-size photograph of dimensions 5 cm x 5 cm. You require to sign your name behind the photo
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Last three months’ bank statements to prove your financial stability
- A cover letter from your employer in the UK OR a letter from your university or college, stating that you are enrolled in the institute OR a detailed pension plan
- Proof of stay in the UK in the form of a tenancy agreement or mortgage papers
- Return tickets to the UK or ongoing tickets to the next destination on your itinerary
- Proof of accommodation in the form of hotel reservations
- A letter of invitation, as and when applicable
- Minors aged below 18 years needs to apply while being accompanied by his/her parents
- The required visa fee payable through credit card or by postal order, paid to the Embassy of Israel
- Applications through post must have a Royal Mail self addressed, special delivery next day, pre-paid envelope. If you don’t send it along with your application, you have to collect your stamped passport in person
Entering via Allenby Bridge or Ben Gurion Airport
If you plan to travel to Israel through the Allenby Bridge crossing with Jordan or the Ben Gurion Airport, and you do not hold any evidence of Palestinian or Arabian origins or do not hold a claim to a Palestinian Authority ID, you may be issued a stamp which says, “Palestinian Authority only” or “Judea and Samaria only”.
Now, when you enter through the Allenby Bridge crossing, you must cross Israeli checkpoints as well as territories under the control of Israeli authorities.
As a result, if you receive this stamp, you need to be careful with your travel plans, especially when you decide to visit Jerusalem or Gaza.
At the Ben Gurion Airport, immigration officials might even ask you to sign a form which says that you are not granted entry into areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
It additionally states that you will be given entry only when you present an authorisation from the Israeli ‘Territory Actions Coordinator’. If you do not follow this policy, you may be deported and denied entry into the nation for the next 10 years.
Entry restrictions if your passport contains previous travel stamps to other countries
Israeli authorities normally do not restrict entry on the basis of your travel history to other foreign nations. They may just ask you some additional questions at the airport. If you have doubts, you can consult with the Israeli Embassy in London.
Traveling to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)
When you itinerary includes a trip to Occupied Palestinian Territories, you need to follow the policies implemented by Israeli authorities. You cannot enter Gaza without seeking prior permission. In most of the cases, entry is denied to travelers planning to enter the OPTs for work-related purposes. For getting permission to cross between Israel and the OPTs, you have to produce a passport and an immigration slip.
Dual citizenship
British citizens with Palestinian origins have to carry a Palestinian passport or travel document in order to depart from Israel.
Again, British-Palestinian dual nationals who reside in the West Bank and Gaza are granted foreign travel only through the Rafah or Allenby Bridge border crossings into Egypt or Jordan. These travelers must follow the same route during their return travel.
British minors who have Israeli parents are advised by the Israeli Ministry of Interior to enter and exit Israel using an Israeli passport.