Chaim V'Chessed

Applying to the Exceptions Committee

Published on December 12, 2021 Print this guide

Published December 12, 2021 4:28 PM IST Updated December 31 , 2021 7:45 AM IST

January 10, 2022: Please note that Israel has canceled all Red Country classification, and is allowing vaccinated tourists’ entry. As such, most of the below does not apply at this time.

Leaving Israel to Red Countries

An increasing number of countries are now classified by Israel as Red countries. Israeli citizens and permanent residents (toshavei keva) are prohibited from traveling to these countries, unless they receive permission from the Exceptions Committee (Vaadat Charigim). This applies to dual citizens as well.

UPDATE: In a new development, visa holders are now permitted to apply to the Exceptions Committee for permission to leave Israel, for the same urgent categories that Israelis may apply for. Should they be granted an exit permit, this will essentially serve as an entry permit for them to return to Israel after travel to the Red country. Visa holders will need to enter their Bituach Leumi number as their Teudat Zehut.

UPDATE: As of December 28, Israeli citizens wishing to travel home to their country of residence abroad must apply to the Exceptions Committee. Select יציאה למגורי קבע לתקופה מעל 30 יום, and tick the box declaring that you intend to be away for at least 30 days. It is recommended, but is not mandatory, to attach proof of residency abroad.

As of now, exceptional circumstances include the following:

  1. Special humanitarian or personal circumstances
  2. Lone soldiers seeking to visit their parents
  3. Urgent medical treatment for oneself or for a dependent
  4. Funeral of a first degree relative
  5. One First degree relative of a mourner traveling to a funeral 
  6. Assistance to a first degree relative who is in a crisis
  7. Participation in a legal proceeding
  8. Travel to one’s permanent place of residence
  9. A wedding: Chosson/Kalla and their parents
  10. Business travel – to one’s workplace abroad, or if deemed vital by the authorities
  11. Visiting a parent abroad over 80 years old
  12. Minors travelling to the custody of a parent located abroad
  13. Accompanying a minor who received permission

Applications for permission to leave Israel may be submitted at this link.

Entering Israel

Israel has once again closed its borders to non-citizens. At this time, foreigners are generally barred from entering the country, regardless of vaccination/recovery status. The Exceptions Committee grants permits to enter Israel in specific exceptional circumstances as follow:

UPDATE: The only exceptions being made for ENTRY FROM RED COUNTRIES are for: Chosson/ Kalla and their parents, medical emergencies, and Funerals.

Children of Visa Holders

Visa holders who are vaccinated/recovered may enter Israel at this time, without need for a special permit. UPDATE: However, students may not enter Israel from Red countries unless they left Israel before the country they are in was classified as red.

Unvaccinated children under age 12, whose parents have VALID STUDENT VISAS, may apply for an entry permit to re-enter Israel, if travelling from Orange or Yellow countries. They must meet the following requirements and prepare the following documentation:

Eligibility Criteria: 

  1. The parents and the children MUST have valid visas (A/2, A/3 or A/4) IN THEIR PASSPORTS, except children under 12 months of age.
  2. The parents and any children 12 and older MUST be either fully vaccinated with the latest vaccination in the last 6 months, recovered in Israel in the last 6 months with a positive PCR test or recovered in Israel in addition to one vaccination, at any time.
  3. Their center of life must be Israel. (They must have lived in Israel for the past year).

Required Documentation:

  1. Copies of both parents’ passports and valid student visas.
  2. Copy of the child’s passport and valid student visa.
  3. Copy of the parents’ marriage license.
  4. Copy of the child’s birth certificate.
  5. Copy of the child’s health insurance in Israel.
  6. These affidavits filled out
  7. Proof of vaccination/ recovery for both parents

If you meet the above criteria, you may apply online, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select “Other” when it asks for the reason, and enter in the box that this is for a child of parents who have valid visas. You must also select the option to attach documents.  Bear in mind that the system only allows for 5 attachments, so combine some of the documents, so they can all be uploaded.

The application only needs to be submitted for the child or children, and not for the parents. It is one application per passenger.

Births

Parents of Israelis or residents of Israel (including student visa holders) are now able to receive permission to enter Israel for the birth of a grandchild. Grandparents may apply for permission to enter Israel before the baby is born, within 7 days of the due date, and for 30 days after the birth. Only grandparents may receive permission; great grandparents cannot. Permits for birth will not be issued for those coming from Red countries.

Required Documentation:

  1. Copy of passports of all applicants
  2. Copy of passport and visa (or teudat zehut) of the couple residing in Israel
  3. Copy of marriage certificate of the couple residing in Israel
  4. Birth/ Marriage certificates proving relationship between the grandparents and the relative in Israel
  5. Doctor’s letter showing estimated due date OR birth certificate of baby
  6. These affidavits filled out separately for each applicant
  7. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
  8. Documentation of recovery or vaccination for all applicants.

Submission:

Apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via Embassies and consulates) via this link.

Many applicants are denied permits because of inaccuracies in their submission. See here for a clear, instructive tutorial, prepared by Amudim, which can assist you in submitting your application accurately. Permits generally arrive within one to four weeks and are generally valid for 30 days from issue. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

Weddings

Grandparents and first degree relatives of the chosson/kalla may receive permission to enter Israel. Please note that it is wise to make sure that the date of travel should be a week before the wedding to allow for time to quarantine. Permits for weddings for travelers from Red countries will only be issued for the chosson/kalla and their parents.

Required Documentation:

  1. Copy of the passport or ID of the related chassan/kalla.
  2. Copy of passports of all applicants
  3. Birth/ Marriage certificates, proving relationship between the applicants and the chassan/kalla 
  4. Ishur Lerishum Nesuin from the couple to be married or a wedding invitation
  5. These affidavits filled out separately for each applicant
  6. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
  7. Documentation of recovery or vaccination for all applicants.

Submission:

Apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via Embassies and consulates) via this link.

Many applicants are denied permits because of inaccuracies in their submission.See here for a clear, instructive tutorial, prepared by Amudim, which can assist you in submitting your application accurately. Permits generally arrive within one to four weeks and are generally valid for 30 days from issue. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

Bar/Bat Mitzvas

Grandparents of the Bar/Bat Mitzva may receive permission to enter Israel. Please note that it is wise to make sure that the date of travel should be a week before the bar/bat mitzva celebration to allow for time to quarantine. Permits for Bar/Bat Mitzvas will not be issued for those coming from Red countries.

Required Documentation:

  1. Copy of the passport and visa or ID of the bar/ bat mitzva child and his/her parents
  2. Copy of passports of all applicants
  3. Birth/ Marriage certificates, proving relationship between the applicants and the bar/bat mitzva child
  4. Invitation to the Bar/Bat Mitzva
  5. These affidavits filled out separately for each applicant
  6. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
  7. Documentation of recovery or vaccination for all applicants.

Submission:

Apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via Embassies and consulates) via this link.

Many applicants are denied permits because of inaccuracies in their submission.See here for a clear, instructive tutorial, prepared by Amudim, which can assist you in submitting your application accurately. Permits generally arrive within one to four weeks and are generally valid for 30 days from issue. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

Medical Emergencies

In cases where a first degree relative in Israel is in a life threatening condition, relatives may receive expedited permission to enter Israel. If you have an emergency, life and death situation, and need immediate assistance, submit an application, and then call Mr. David Kushner, Amudim’s Director of Government Relations, at 646-517-0222 EXT 999, 24 hours a day, or email travelhelp@amudim.org.

Required Documentation:

  1. Copy of the passport or ID of the ill relative
  2. Copy of passports of all applicants
  3. Birth/ Marriage certificates, proving relationship between the applicants and the patient
  4. A medical summary from the hospital or attending physician attesting to the critical state of the patient
  5. These affidavits filled out separately for each applicant
  6. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
  7. Documentation of recovery or vaccination for all applicants

Submission:

Apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via Embassies and consulates) via this link.

Many applicants are denied permits because of inaccuracies in their submission.See here for a clear, instructive tutorial, prepared by Amudim, which can assist you in submitting your application accurately. Permits generally arrive within one to four weeks and are generally valid for 30 days from issue. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

Funeral Travel

First-degree relatives of the deceased may enter Israel for only 24 hours to attend the funeral.

Required Documentation:

  1. Copy of passport or ID number all applicants
  2. Copy of passport or ID of the deceased
  3. Proof of relationship between the deceased and the applicant (birth/marriage certificates)
  4. Certificate of death and/or burial approval in Israel
  5. These affidavits filled out separately for each applicant
  6. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
  7. Documentation of recovery or vaccination for all applicants.

Submission:

Apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via Embassies and consulates) via this link. After you apply, you may call Mr. David Kushner, Amudim’s Director of Government Relations, at 646-517-0222 EXT 999, 24 hours a day, or email travelhelp@amudim.org.

See here for a clear, instructive tutorial, prepared by Amudim, which can assist you in submitting your application accurately.