All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country. People with no nationality must hold a valid laissez passer, as well as a visa back to the country that issued it.
Visitors are entitled to remain in Israel up to three months from the date of their arrival, in accordance with the conditions of the visa issued to them. Visitors intending to work in Israel must submit a request to the Ministry of the Interior for a special visa.
Important note for tourists continuing from Israel on to Arab countries (except Egypt and Jordan): It is recommended that you request that an Israeli stamp does not appear on your passport. You must notify the clerk of your request before your documents are stamped.
As of July 3, 2008, an official decision has been made that will no longer require entry stamps on foreign passports. In such cases, you must fill out form 17L including your personal details, and that form shall be stamped by passport control upon entry/exit.
The form 17L will not be collected upon exit as it is necessary for the collection of tax refunds and proof of legal entry.
Tourist Visas
For Israeli Visa requirements for tourists press here (Word Document) (Updated: Feb. 15, 2010)
Citizens of the following countries will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port or entrance terminal to Israel:
Europe – Austria, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Belgium, Britain, Gibraltar, Germany (people born after 1.1.1928), Denmark, Holland, Hungary, Greece, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Malta, Norway, Slovenia, San Marino, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia.
Asia and Oceania – Australia, the Fiji Islands, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, New Zealand, Micronesia, Singapore, Mongolia, Vanuatu.
Africa – Lesotho, Mauritius, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, the Central African Republic.
America – Uruguay, the Bahamas, El Salvador, Ecuador, Argentina, the United States, Bolivia, Barbados, Brazil, Guatemala, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Surinam, Nevis and Saint Kitts, Panama, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada, St. Lucia.
More detailed information can be found in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Transit Visas
Visitors desiring to stop in Israel on their way to other destinations may request a transit visa for five days, which can be extended for another 10 days.
Travelers on passenger ships stopping in Israel will be issued with a disembarkation card enabling them to stay in Israel as long as their ship is anchored in Israel. There is no need to submit a request for a visa.
Extension of Your Stay
Your visa can be extended (fee requiered) at the Ministry of the Interior at the following addresses:
Jerusalem – 24 Hilell Street 02-6294726
Tel Aviv – 125 Menachem Begin Street 03-5193305
Haifa – 15 Pal-Yam 04-8633333
Eilat – Ha-Tamarim Street, City Center, 2nd Floor 08-6381333
Tiberias – 23 Zaki Elkhadif 04-6729111
Ben-Gurion Airport – 03-9774200/1/2
For further information, call this phone number: *3450 or check the Ministry of the Interior’s Internet site.
