Updated Information – Permission for Students and Relatives to Enter Israel

First-degree relatives (parents, siblings and children) of Israeli citizens and Toshavei Keva, permanent residents of Israel, may request permission to enter Israel to visit their relatives in Israel. The relative applying for permission may also request entry for the applicant’s minor children and spouse. The spouse of an Israeli citizen may request permission to enter Israel along with their spouse. All applicants, including children from the age of 12 months, must be either vaccinated or recovered. Note: Student visa holders are not considered Toshavei Keva, even if they are recognized as residents by Bituach Leumi.

Include the following documents with your application:

1. Copy of the passport/teudat zehut of the first-degree Israeli relative
2. Copy of passports of the applicants
3. Birth/ marriage certificates, proving relationship between the applicant and the relative residing in Israel. Generally, documents do not need to be apostilled.
4. When applying for multiple family members, proof of relationship between the primary applicant and his spouse and children.
5. 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
6. These affidavits filled out separately for each applicant. (Under ‘purpose of arrival in Israel’ only write ‘to visit my in Israeli relative’.)
7. When applying via Misrad HaPnim site, Form AS1 is required. This is currently not required when applying via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.
8. Proof of health insurance valid in Israel with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19
9. Plane tickets are no longer required
10. Documentation of recovery or vaccination certificate for all applicants, including children from the age of 12 months. Babies up to 12 months do not need to be vaccinated or recovered. Proof of Recovery: Present a positive Covid test followed by a negative Covid test. It does not matter how long ago or how much time elapsed between the tests. (Doctor’s letters or Serological results alone are not accepted as proof for applying for an entry permit.)

Submission:

The Israeli based relative may apply to the Misrad HaPnim (Interior Ministry) via this link. Alternatively, foreign relatives may apply to Israeli consulates or embassies abroad, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, here.

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 a month. We have found that the vast majority of delayed or rejected permit applications are missing details or documents. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, you should reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

Children of first generation Israeli citizens are considered Israeli citizens even if they are born abroad. Their birth must be registered at the Israeli embassy or consulate abroad and they require an Israeli passport to enter Israel.  

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a special exception is currently in place. Israel will allow entry to children of Israeli citizens who have begun but not completed the process of registering as Israeli citizens. However, they must apply for an entry permit (Ishur) to enter Israel on their foreign passport.  

Include the following documents with your application:

1. All documents required to register a child as an Israeli citizen – see the list here. Submit a copy of the birth certificate even if it is not properly authenticated / apostilled. Similarly, being that you are applying at the consulate abroad, you should be able to apply with a birth certificate in the language of the country in which you are applying. 
2. These forms requesting entry and committing to complete the registration within 60 days of your return abroad. In the הצהרה (declaration form), list all documents that you are submitting with your request, including the birth certificate, parents’ ID etc.

The above mentioned individuals do not require proof of vaccination or recovery in order to enter Israel although they will need to quarantine as described here.

Apply to Israeli consulates or embassies abroad, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, here. 

Note: You may also complete the child’s registration as an Israeli Citizen in Misrad HaPnim in Israel during your visit, as per the directions here.

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 a month. We have found that the vast majority of delayed or rejected permit applications are missing details or documents. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, you should reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

At this time, student visa holders are NOT viewed as residents of Israel and their first-degree relatives are generally not eligible to receive entry permits. However, parents of student visa holders are now able to receive permission to enter for the birth of a grandchild. Grandparents may apply for permission to enter Israel even before the baby is born, within 30 days of the due date, and for 30 days after the birth. Only grandparents may receive permission, great grandparents cannot.

Include the following documents with your application:

1. Copy of passports of all applicants
2. Copy of passport and visa of the couple residing in Israel
3. Copy of marriage certificate of the couple residing in Israel
4. Birth certificate proving relationship between the grandparents and the student residing in Israel
5. Doctor’s letter showing estimated due date/ 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. Plane tickets are no longer required
9. Documentation of recovery or vaccination certificate for all applicants, including children from the age of 12 months. Babies up to 12 months do not need to be vaccinated or recovered. Proof of Recovery: Present a positive Covid test followed by a negative Covid test. It does not matter how long ago or how much time elapsed between the tests. (Doctor’s letters or Serological results alone are not accepted as proof for applying for an entry permit.)

Submission:

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

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 a month. We have found that the vast majority of delayed or rejected permit applications are missing details or documents. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, you should reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

If the chassan or kalla are not Israeli citizens, the chassan and kalla, their parents and grandparents may receive permission to enter Israel. At times, siblings are granted permission, as well.

Include the following documents with your application:

1. Copy of the passport or ID of the related chassan/kalla.
2. Copy of passports of all applicants
3. Birth certificates, proving relationship between the applicants and the chassan/kalla 
4. Proof of the wedding taking place or a joint affidavit from the bride and groom signed by a notary
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. Plane tickets are no longer required
8. Parent of Chassan and Kalla do not need to be vaccinated. For Siblings and grandparents: Documentation of recovery or vaccination certificate for all applicants, including children from the age of 12 months. Babies up to 12 months do not need to be vaccinated or recovered. Proof of Recovery: Present a positive Covid test followed by a negative Covid test. It does not matter how long ago or how much time elapsed between the tests. (Doctor’s letters or Serological results alone are not accepted as proof for applying for an entry permit.)

Submission:

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

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 a month. We have found that the vast majority of delayed or rejected permit applications are missing details or documents. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, you should reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

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, prepare the following documents, and please 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.

1. Copy of the passport or ID of the ill relative
2. Copy of passports of all applicants
3. Birth 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. Plane tickets are no longer required

Submission:

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

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 a month. We have found that the vast majority of delayed or rejected permit applications are missing details or documents. You may wish to review your application, and if you find anything lacking, you should reapply. To avoid being rejected as a duplicate application, enter your passport number preceded by a hyphen.

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

Include the following documents with your application:

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. Plane tickets are no longer required

Submission:

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

Many applicants are being 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.

Foreign business people who must travel to Israel for crucial business purposes may receive special permits to enter Israel. An Israeli company must invite the businessperson, and apply on his behalf.

The Israeli based company must apply via this link.