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Israel is an attractive tourist destination for Russians. People come here for different purposes: from pilgrimage to relaxation by the sea. An additional bonus is the ability to enter without a visa. It can be used by those who plan to travel for tourist or pilgrimage purposes for no longer than 90 days. To enter, you only need a valid passport, return ticket, insurance, money and confirmation of the purpose of the trip. Those traveling to the country for the purpose of work, study or repatriation will need to apply for a visa.
If the passport has stamps from the UAE, Lebanon and other Arab countries, then difficulties may arise, although in recent years the majority have crossed the border without problems, only they will face a more thorough search.
Visa-free entry to Israel
Travelers coming to Israel for tourism, pilgrimage, medical and other short-term purposes (for example, visiting relatives), and not planning to stay there longer than 90 days, can enter the country without a visa.
The border control officer will check the presence of a valid international passport, return ticket, medical insurance, money (in cash or on a card - an extract is required), as well as documents confirming the purpose of the trip: hotel reservation, invitation from relatives, etc.
After inspection, the tourist will be given a ticket, which must be kept until the return flight.
When passing the border, an airport employee may ask to inspect personal belongings: hand luggage, computers, cell phones, money, etc. Sometimes this takes a lot of time, you need to treat it with understanding. If the documents provided by the person do not correspond to the stated purpose of the trip, or the border guard suspects unreliability, an additional interview may be conducted.
Package of documents
In Israel, arrivals are checked very carefully. In order not to arouse suspicion, avoid a thorough search and pass control at the airport faster, prepare a complete package of documents.
In 2021 they require:
- international passport;
- round trip plane tickets;
- health insurance;
- a document confirming your hotel reservation or travel voucher, a receipt from relatives or friends with whom you plan to stay in Israel;
- proof of solvency, such as bank statements or cash.
Let's add a few clarifications. The last two points are not included in the mandatory list of documents of the Israeli Consulate. However, we advise you to have them with you to avoid problems. For example, a tourist may arouse suspicion from a border guard. Then, the more papers he presents, the faster he will be allowed into the country.
Apply for citizenship
The next thing is that your passport must not expire earlier than 6 months from the day you cross the border of the Holy Land.
For Russian citizens traveling on vacation or treatment, a visa is not required
To travel with children, you will need to provide their birth certificate. And if a child enters Israel with one of the parents or with a proxy, consent to leave the country will be required from the parent (or parents). The permit must be stamped with an “Apostille” and the statute of limitations must not exceed three years.
Applying for a visa yourself
Those who need to apply for a visa (future students or foreign employees of Israeli companies, representatives of religious missions, repatriates) must contact the consulate directly, since Israel does not use the services of visa service centers.
First of all, fill out a form and make an appointment, this can be done at the office. consulate website. Immediately after this you need to pay the consular fee.
Then you need to prepare a package of documents (list below). After you have received confirmation of your appointment by email, it is important to familiarize yourself with the list of things allowed to be brought to the consulate, go to the place in person and submit an application.
You must arrive 10-15 minutes in advance; those who are late may not be accepted.
Border crossing
For residents of Russia, there is a special system for crossing the border with the state of Israel. The decision was made not to stamp passports, which is common practice around the world. Instead, the tourist is given a special coupon with a photo and a barcode. It contains the date of entry and personal data of the guest.
After leaving the border zone, the card is applied to the scanner. Only after this will you be allowed to cross the border. The document must be kept for the entire duration of the trip. You will need it on the road. It is also sought after by hotels and car rental companies.
This practice was introduced for the convenience of the citizens of the Russian Federation themselves. Some Arab states prohibit entry with an Israeli stamp. Therefore, we decided to make migration cards.
However, stamps will be placed in some places. For example, the land border crossings at the Yitzhak Rabin checkpoint and the Jordan River checkpoint leave a mark. Moreover, the passport page is selected arbitrarily. So you should indicate in advance exactly where you would like to see the seal. You can ask to do without a stamp altogether - sometimes border guards will accommodate you halfway.
There is another way - to get a second passport. Russians are allowed to have several documents to travel abroad.
Border inspection
The protracted conflict with the Arab states has led to the fact that there is a constant threat of terrorist attacks on Israeli territory. Border inspection has a specific purpose - to identify Islamic militants, terrorists and anyone who may be somehow connected with them.
Border guards have the right to ask any questions. You should treat this with understanding and remain calm. Sometimes the interview and inspection are quick, but it can also take a long time.
Typical questions:
- Visit purpose?
- Where are you planning to go?
- Are you married?
- Do you have relatives or friends in Israel?
- Are you Jewish?
- Who packed the luggage?
Personal belongings, computer gadgets (there is special equipment for this) and jars whose contents have a thick consistency (honey, baby food) are checked with special care. A single traveler, for example a young girl, may cause suspicion.
Tourists with visas of Arab countries
Guests with visa stamps from Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, and Yemen attract increased attention from border guards. These states are unfriendly to Israel (and this is mutual). Therefore, you should prepare for a particularly thorough inspection of personal belongings - some tourists are forced to undress down to their underwear. The conversation with the border guards can also take a long time.
A number of tour operators advise their clients who have previously visited Islamic countries (not necessarily Arabic) to change their foreign passport. This will avoid close attention while crossing the border. Whether to follow the advice or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves.
Documents for a visa to Israel
Required documents to obtain a visa to Israel:
- International passport
Valid for 6 months from the end of the trip, as well as photocopies of all pages with any marks; - Copy of Russian passport
Copies of all completed pages are needed; when submitting documents, it is important to have the original passport with you; - Photograph
Two photographs measuring 5x5 cm (see photo requirements below); - Air tickets
Paid round trip tickets; - Hotel reservation
For the entire stay; - Insurance policy
Medical insurance, which can be purchased online; the type should be selected based on the expected risks, minimum coverage is EUR 30,000; - Financial guarantees
Bank account statement; - Invitation from the host party
With the stamp and signature of the person responsible for the tourist in Israel, either a business invitation or an invitation from an educational institution; - Certificate of employment
Certificate of employment with the stated position and salary; - Receipt of payment of the consular fee
Fees vary depending on the type of visa;
In some cases, the consulate may request a certificate of no criminal record; it must be prepared in advance.
Obtaining a visa at the embassy
If you are planning a long trip to Israel, which will last over 90 days, then a tourist visa is issued. You will also need an entry document if your plans include work, training, treatment, or simply a long stay in the country. You can obtain a visa at the consulate located in Moscow. The Israeli consulate accepts only by appointment, which is made on the official website (https://consulate-secure-form-01.itor.co.il/Apt.aspx?clh=bf1u0202-2015-0ugw-gtnn-a7g5j2bMoscow&lang=ru) . To obtain a visa, a personal visit by the applicant is required. Documents sent by email or fax are not accepted. When applying in person, you must have confirmation of your electronic registration (sent by email).
Photo requirements
You must provide two color photographs measuring 5x5 cm on a white or gray background. The minimum resolution is 300 dpi.
The photo is taken from the front, with a neutral facial expression. The head, neck and shoulders should be visible. Glasses can be left on if they are not too extravagant, do not create glare and do not cover the eyes. Headdresses must be removed, with the exception of those who wear them for religious reasons.
The length of the head from the chin to the crown is approximately 30 mm (70-80% of the area). The photo is taken from the front, the gaze is directed at the camera, there is no smile.
Consular fee
For visa-free entry, no fees are charged to tourists.
To obtain a visa, you must pay a consular fee, its amount depends on the type of document. For example, educational, work and religious permits cost 46 USD. A tourist visitor visa type B2 costs 23 USD, but Russians are not issued with it, since they are visiting Israel without a visa. All prices can be found at the office. consulate website. Prices on the page are for January 2021.
The consular fee is paid by bank card through the website immediately after filling out the application form. In case of refusal to issue a visa, the fee is not refunded.
Visa processing times and validity
Without a visa, a tourist can stay in the country for 3 months and enter only once during this time. The standard period for which the consulate reviews documents for long-term and multiple-entry visas is 1-14 working days. When submitting papers, you need to take into account public holidays in Israel and Russia: because of them, the time may increase significantly.
Long-term visas are usually issued for a year, less often - for 6 months. Study and work permits are usually issued for the duration of the contract or agreement.
Answers to questions about obtaining a visa to Israel
- Which countries are you prohibited from entering after visiting Israel?
- Citizens of which countries can obtain a visa to Israel in Uzbekistan
- How to enter Israel for a citizen of the Russian Federation who was not born in Russia
- How can a Russian citizen apply for a visa to Cyprus in Israel?
- How to make an appointment at the Israeli Consulate
- How to pay for crossing the Egyptian-Israeli border
- How to confirm at the Israeli border that an apartment is rented instead of a hotel
- Can a Romanian citizen enter Israel without a visa?
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- Is it possible, having dual citizenship, to fly out of Israel with an expired Russian passport?
- Is it possible to enter Israel if you have an Iranian visa in your passport?
- Is it possible to enter Israel using a previously issued entry card?
- Is it possible to enter Israel after a trip to the UAE?
- Is it possible to enter Israel after traveling to Oman?
- Is it possible to enter Israel with a Sinai visa?
- Is it possible to buy an air ticket with an expired Israeli international passport?
- How many years will you be deported from Israel?
- Will having an Israeli visa in your passport affect your entry into Tunisia?
Ask your question
Israeli visa for a child
There is no individual tourist visa to Israel for children, but the original birth certificate must be added to the package of documents.
If a child is traveling with one adult, the second is required to issue a notarized permission to travel abroad. The consent can be written manually, the main thing is that there is a seal from a lawyer.
When traveling with an accompanying person (grandmother, aunt), the parent is required to attach a photocopy of his passport.
