Visa to Israel

Visa to Israel - Information and Requirements

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    Applying for a visa to Israel


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    ​The following information is important for all non-Israelis:

    As a result of the security situation in Israel, we will not be able to approve appointments of non-Israelis until further notice.

    We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to contact us by email at consular.dep@houston.mfa.gov.il with any inquiries.​

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    Please check the required documentation according to the visa you wish to obtain.

    The consul reserves the right to summon each applicant for an interview. if you are coming for an interview you must send all the documents beforehand.  

    Please do not use staples with your visa documentation. Paper clips are ok.

    Processing time is 15 business days once the document arrives at the consulate.

    In case your visa application is denied, you will receive a document informing you of this.
    You can appeal the decision.
    Information regarding the appeal process can be found at: www.gov.il/he/departments

    Please note
    • The consular department of the Consulate General of Israel in Houston provides consular services to residents of Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
    • All visas processing time is up to 15 business days.
    • Please book a flight only after you have received your visa.
    • Please note that the grant of a visa by the State of Israel to a person bearing a foreign passport (national or official), does not necessarily imply recognition of the authority or entity that issued such passport.
    • You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours.
      Schedule an appointment here.

     
    Below are the types of visas and the application process for obtaining them:
    A/1 Aliyah Visa
    - for people eligible for immigration under the Law of Return
    An A/1 Temporary Resident visa is given to a person who is eligible for immigration (aliya) and has 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.

    Aliyah is the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to the land of Israel. According to an arrangement between the government of Israel and the Jewish Agency, the latter handles immigration (Aliyah) to Israel. This is to say, the Jewish Agency is responsible for checking candidates, providing advice and guidance, seeing to absorption arrangements, referrals to immigrant centers, places of study, employment, etc. If the Jewish Agency approves a candidate, it will then send a letter of recommendation to the Consulate.

    According to the law, the authority to issue the Aliyah Visa lies solely with the consular representative. The consular representative may request additional details, both from the applicant and from the Jewish Agency. In cases of doubt, the consular representative may transfer the application to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a decision.

    Those interested in commencing the process of immigrating to Israel should contact the Aliyah representative of the Jewish Agency who is responsible for the area in which they reside​.

    To contact the Jewish Agency (Los Angeles office):
    Phone: (323) 658-7302
    Email:  aliyahla@jafi.org

    Website: http://www.jewishagency.org/aliyah


     
    A/2 Student Visa

    An A/2 Student Visa is granted to those who want to study in Israel in academic institutions, Yeshivas, and youth institutions of the Jewish Agency. A Student Visa is valid for up to one year and for multiple entrances and exits. People who enter Israel on A/2 Student Visas are not permitted to work in the State of Israel.

    Only students that have been accepted to one of the following schools or Yeshivas are allowed to submit their application to the Israeli consulate. If the school or Yeshiva you are planning to study in is not included in the list, the school should apply directly to the Ministry of Interior in Israel on your behalf.

    ·         For the Council for Higher Education in Israel's website - Click Here

    ·         For a list of recognized Yeshivas - Click Here

    ·         For a list of conservative and reform Yeshivas - Click Here

     
    Please note:  A minor will not be given a visa without the written consent of both parents or his legal guardian.
     
    The visa is granted to students who provide the following:

    • Passport (must be valid beyond one year from the date of intended visit)

    • Copy of the parent's passport. If a parent has more than one citizenship, add a copy of all their passports.

    • Two passport pictures (2x2”, color, on a white background), taken within the last 3 months – standard American size passport photos

    • Official letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution in Israel or Yeshiva

    • Recent 3-month bank statements indicate sufficient funds for the time of stay in Israel. Bank statements may be from the student, parent, or spouse’s bank account. If using a parent or spouse’s bank statements, please include an affidavit stating that the parent/spouse is willing to support the applicant financially

    • Roundtrip airline tickets OR payment for school program

    • Birth Certificate

    • Payment of the fee (fee chart)

    • Apartment/dormitory/hotel confirmation for your initial arrival - only for students at academic institutions

    • Medical insurance for the duration of your stay


    If the applicant is a minor (under 18 years of age):

    The applicant and their parents must apply in person, with those additional documents:

    o   A birth certificate notarized with an apostille stamp is required.

    o   Both parents (or legal guardians) must sign the following consent form in the presence of a notary or consular representative: Permission of a parent to issue a visa for a minor


    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours. 
    Schedule an appointment here.


    A/3 Clergy Visa

    This visa is granted to clergymen for the purpose of fulfilling their clerical duties among their religious communities in Israel, pursuant to the invitation of a recognized religious institution in Israel. A clergyman who goes to Israel for a visit and requires an entry visa will receive the regular B/2 visa.
     
    Only the Ministry of the Interior has the authority to grant an A/3 visa. The application should be submitted in Israel by the religious institution that is inviting the clergyman. The mission will only issue the visa with the prior approval of the Ministry of the Interior. The validity of the visa will be in accordance with Ministry of Interior guidelines, with the option of renewal only in Israel.
     
    If the visa is approved by the Ministry of the Interior, the visa will be issued by the mission upon provision of the following:​
     
    • A physical Passport - needs to be valid for more than a year.
    • Two passport pictures (2x2”, color, on a white background), taken within the last 3 months – standard American size passport photos​
    • Payment of the fee (fee chart​)
    • Confirmation from the ministry of interior​

    Note: The Consul may request additional documents

    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours.  The best way to schedule your appointment is by going to the following link: https://consularappointment.mfa.gov.il/schedulingsite/?unitId=1029&language=en-US ​

    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours. Schedule an appointment here.
     
    A/4 Visa

    This visa is granted to the spouses and minor children of  recipients of A/2 or A/3 visas. 
     
    The visa will be issued under the following conditions:
     

    • A valid passport.​

    • Two passport pictures


    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours. Schedule an appointment here.​

     
    B/1 Work Visa

    This visa is for a person whose stay in Israel is approved for a limited period of time for the purpose of work. This visa is given to experts and artists, among others, and is granted solely with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior.
    The fee is paid by the applicant when the application is submitted to one of the population administration offices of the Ministry of the Interior. Upon receipt of approval from the Ministry of the Interior, the mission will issue the B/1 Work visa after interviewing the applicant an​d obtaining from him the following documents:
     
    • A verified certificate of good conduct (copy of your criminal record, or lack there of)

    • Certification of medical examinations performed in clinics or hospitals recognized by the mission (the certification must cover, inter alia, normal results in tests for tuberculosis, hepatitis and AIDS) and the results of blood tests.

    • A declaration of the taking of fingerprints (the State of Israel has begun to take fingerprints from foreign workers who enter the country to work) and a photograph.


    • Two passport pictures

    • Passport or travel document


    The validity of the B/1 Work visa will be in accordance with Ministry of Interior guidelines. The worker must enter Israel within the period of time specified in the visa and stay in the country as specified in the visa. A person who receives such a visa may apply to one of the population administration offices of the Ministry of the Interior to extend the visa.

    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours. Schedule an appointment here.
     

    B/2 Visitor's Visa

    A B/2 visa is granted to someone who wishes to stay in Israel for only a short time (for a visit, tourism, a business meeting or study in a Hebrew ulpan). A person who enters Israel on a B/2 visa is not allowed to work in the State of Israel.
    A B/2 visa is valid for up to three months from the date of issue. The duration of the stay in Israel will be determined by the Border Police. A visitor who wishes to extend his visit may submit an application at one of the regional population administration offices of the Ministry of the Interior.
    The visa will be issued by the mission upon provision of the following:​​
     

    • Itinerary including plane ticket, and hotel reservation information or address of where you will be staying

    • Passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of the stay in Israel)​ or travel document (must be valid for at least one year beyond the period of the stay in Israel)

    • Two passport pictures

    • ​​Travel Insurance (a letter stating that you are fully covered for any medical expenses during your international travel)

    • Letter from Employer, stating that you are currently employed and will continue to work once you return from your trip,

    • Financial Records (for the past 3 months)

    • Medical insurance for the duration of your stay
    • Valid re-entry visa to the United States OR original​ permanent resident (Green card).

     
    Please note:
    • The consul may request additional documents.
    • Since the fee is collected for handling the application, it will not be refunded to the applicant if the visa is not issued for any reason.
     
    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours. Schedule an appointment here.

     
    Israel - US Investor Visas
     
    The procedure will be implemented as of May 1, 2019, and will be mutually applied to US investors in Israel and Israeli investors in the United States.
     
    In conjunction with the US legislation of 2012 in which the granting of investor visas to Israeli citizens investing in the US was resolved, the Government of Israel has decided, in accordance with Israeli government Resolution 1528 from 30 March 2014 and Resolution 2243 from January 2017 to permit US citizens, including vital workers on their behalf and their families, to reside and work in Israel on a temporary basis for the purpose of managing and developing a business venture. 
     
    After detailed interministerial preparation that encompassed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Population and Immigration Authority, the Ministry of Economy-the Foreign Trade Administration, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice, the procedure for implementing government resolutions enabling US citizens to apply for an investor visa in Israel was completed. The application will be considered by an interministerial committee, which will submit its recommendations for the approval of the Minister of the Interior. 
     
    The application may be submitted to the consul in any of Israel's official diplomatic missions in the United States that hosts a commercial attaché attached to the Ministry of Economy and Industry: Washington, New York, Houston, and San Francisco. 
     
    At the same time, Israeli investors may submit an application for a US investor visa at any US embassy. (Details may be found on the US Embassy website in Israel). 
     
    The announcement represents a significant milestone for businesses and companies alike. The investor visas in both countries will ease restrictions and encourage economic activity between the two countries. 
     
    As agreed with the United States, the procedure will be implemented as of Wednesday, May 1 2019, and will be mutually applied to US investors in Israel and Israeli investors in the United States.
     
    Here is the link for the application: בקשה לאשרת משקיע אמריקאי.xlsxבקשה לאשרת משקיע אמריקאי.xlsx
    Visas for Participants in Birthright and Masa

    For participants in Israeli national projects like Taglit-Birthright Israel or MASA, or in other projects initiated and organized by the Jewish Agency, a visa will be issued according to the project's purpose and duration.
    • B/2 visitor visa, for three months, will be issued for participants in project lasting less than three months.
    • A/2 student visa, multiple entries, for the duration of the project and up to one year, will be issued for participants for projects lasting more than three months.
    The above mentioned participants are exempted from paying a visa fee.
    You must schedule an appointment before coming to our reception hours. Schedule an appointment here.​

    Notice for Citizens holding a Peoples Republic of China Passport
     
    The agreement between the State of Israel and the Government of the People's Republic of China on a Multiple-Entry Visa Arrangement for holders of Israeli National Passports and Chinese Ordinary Passports entered into force on the 11th of November 2016.
     
    Chinese citizens holding Chinese ordinary passports shall be eligible to recieve a multiple entry "B2" visa with the duration of each stay not exceeding ninety (90) days. The validity of the visa is up to ten (10) years from the date of issuance, but shall not exceed the validity of the visa applicat's passport. The duration of the stay in Israel is up to 180 days per year.    

    Terms regarding information on this website
    Please note:
    Information contained in this website is general and does not supersede the provisions of the laws of the State of Israel.
    • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reserves the right to modify the procedures from time to time.
    • In any case of a discrepancy, the provisions of Israeli law and/or local law and/or procedures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs take precedence over the information appearing in this website.
    The Minister of the Interior of the State of Israel is in charge of implementing the laws of the State which specify the conditions for entering Israel (the Law of Return, 5710 - 1950, and the Entry into Israel Law, 5712 - 1952). The power to implement these laws abroad was delegated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Official Announcements Gazette 255 of October 16, 1952) and to Israel's representatives abroad (Official Announcements Gazette 2465 of October 7, 1978).​​
     
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