Chaim V'Chessed

Permission to Enter Israel: Relatives of Israeli Residents, Simchas & More

Updated April 25, 2021 10:01 AM IST

Foreigners continue to be largely banned from entering Israel.

Still, as reported, on April 7, new rules went into effect, permitting more groups of foreign citizens to enter Israel. These groups include those coming for weddings, medical emergencies, deaths and to visit lone soldiers.

However, an important new category of foreigners who will now be granted entry permits are those with first-degree relatives living in Israel. However, at this time, student visa holders are NOT being viewed as residents of Israel.

Overall, the details of these rules are still far from clear and are being determined. We continue interfacing with government officials to clarify them. For now, the following guidelines are what is known at this point. Our thanks to our colleagues at Amudim for preparing this detailed overview, which is presented with their permission.

Eligibility:

With the exception of Israeli citizens, who can enter Israel without any approvals, all foreigners seeking to enter Israel should follow the instructions below.

All who are seeking entry to Israel, including Israeli citizens, will be required to complete two declaration forms, which can be found at the bottom of this page.

General Guidelines Regarding Entry into Israel:

A. Israeli citizens with a valid Israeli travel document (passport or travel document) are allowed to fly to Israel without prior approval.

B. Every Israeli visitor and every foreigner who has been approved for entry is required to perform a PCR test within 72 hours prior to the flight to Israel.

C. Passengers who were vaccinated or recovered abroad will need to enter quarantine upon arrival in Israel. However, they may obtain an exemption by doing a serological (antibodies) test in Israel. Results from abroad are not accepted; tests must be performed in an approved laboratory in Israel. Once you receive proof of antibodies, you must contact the Ministry of Health via this online form, and wait for a response stating that you may exit quarantine.

D. Foreigners leaving Israel before the end of the isolation period, without special approval from the Israeli authorities, violate the laws of the State of Israel and their next entry will not be approved.

1. All required documents must be submitted in one PDF file not exceeding 5 MB (Document compression services like ilovepdf.com can be used)

2. Applications which are missing documents will be returned to the applicants and will not be processed until they are completed.

3. Each application requires separate affidavits.

IMPORTANT CHANGE: A minor child of an Israeli citizen can NOT apply for a permit. Full registration of each child as an Israeli citizen must be made. Click here to learn about the registration procedure.

Funeral Travel

Required Documents to request to entry into Israel for a funeral:

  1. Photocopy of passport of all applicants
  2. Photocopy of passport of the deceased
  3. Isolation affidavits, click here to download – Note: Each applicant is required to fill out an affidavit form
  4. Proof of family connection (birth certificate or another document)
  5. Certificate of death and/or burial approval in Israel
  6. Valid plane ticket to Israel UPDATE: As of May 4th, plane tickets are no longer required.

Quarantine / Vaccination Proof / Proof of COVID recovery changes and requirements:

The following categories can only apply to enter Israel if they have been vaccinated, even if in a foreign country, or if the applicant has proof that they have recovered from COVID:

  1. Anyone visiting a first-degree relative, such as child, parent or sibling
  2. A foreigner married to an Israeli citizen or a permanent resident

The following categories can apply to enter Israel even if not vaccinated, but in that case, the applicant is subject to following the quarantine guidelines of 14 days:

  1. Parents attending the wedding of a first degree relative
  2. First-degree relatives visiting a lone soldier or someone doing Sherut Leumi

Passengers who were vaccinated or recovered abroad will need to enter quarantine upon arrival in Israel. However, they may obtain an exemption by doing a serological (antibodies) test in Israel. Results from abroad are not accepted; tests must be performed in an approved laboratory in Israel. Once you receive proof of antibodies, you must contact the Ministry of Health via this online form, and wait for a response stating that you may exit quarantine.

Definition of a first-degree relative living in Israel: The person living in Israel must be an Israeli citizen or a legal resident. At this time, student visa holders are NOT viewed as residents of Israel.

Update April 25: Parents of student visa holders may apply for permission to enter Israel for a birth of a grandchild. They may enter 30 days prior to the due date, or 30 days after a birth.

Required Documents for Entry Request:

  1. Photocopy of a passport or ID number of the first-degree relative residing in Israel
  2. Photocopy of passports of the applicants
  3. Proof of family connection between the applicants and a relative residing in Israel (Official documents such as birth certificate, marriage license, etc. must be apostilled. UPDATED Thursday April 22: An apostille is no longer required to accompany most proof of relationship documents. The only exceptions are marriage certificates of foreign spouses of Israeli citizens and birth certificates of minor children of an Israeli citizen parent. See guidance on the apostille process here.
  4. Isolation affidavits, click here to download – Each applicant is required to complete an affidavit form.
  5. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel throughout the visit with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
  6. Valid plane ticket to Israel UPDATE: As of May 4th, plane tickets are no longer required.
  7. Certificate of recovery or vaccination certificate for all who wish to enter Israel, this applies to people of all ages – With the exception of attending a wedding, visiting a lone soldier or someone active in Sherut Leumi – in these cases, the following documents are required:
    1. In the case of a wedding event: Proof of the wedding taking place or a joint affidavit from the bride and groom signed by a notary
    2. Photocopy of the IDF service card and/or approval of a lone soldier signed by the authorities or approval of Sherut Leumi organization for the volunteer
  8. For a foreign parent visiting a minor child living in Israel:
    1. Photocopy of passport of the Israeli child
    2. The child’s birth certificate, verified with an apostille stamp
    3. Custody agreement for the minor
  9. For birth of a grandchild, parents student visa holders: Copies of both parents passports/visas, proof of due date or birth certificate

Once you have all the necessary documents based on the category in which you are applying, please email your complete request to consular.services@newyork.mfa.gov.il, or your nearest Israeli embassy/consulate.

All travelers must complete the following steps prior to arriving at the airport:

  1. All passengers must take a PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding the flight to Israel. Passengers must show the result during check-in. Passengers with no valid PCR test will be declined from boarding the flight
  2. Fill out and print the following entry declaration for each traveler. Click here to enter the entry declaration page
  3. Fill out and print the following Self Isolation declaration for each traveler. Click here to enter the Self Isolation declaration page

 * These two declarations are different from the declaration you filled out when applying for an entry permit – the “traveler entry” and “self-isolation” declarations are required for each traveler, regardless of nationality or citizenship

* The two declarations will be required upon boarding and landing. Travelers who won’t have both declarations filled out will be delayed at the airport until completing both declarations!

General Information:

•     Please make sure to send in the request 2 weeks before the flight date. The department cannot process requests in less time. 

•     Examining each request and receiving a response takes approximately 7 business days from the date of receiving a case number by the department.

• All required documents must be attached, according to the case that applies to you, in one PDF file not exceeding 5MB. Shrink the file if necessary.

•     Requests and status checks can only be made through email. Questions and requests made on other platforms (such as WhatsApp) will not be addressed.

You must bring all of the above documents with you to the airport and may need to present them at any point when checking in, boarding, and/or upon arrival in Israel.