Israel: Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa and/or work permit?

UK citizens do not need a visa to enter Israel. On entry, visitors are granted leave to enter (by means of a stamp in the passport) for a period of up to three months. Your passport must be valid for at least six months or you may be refused entry by Israeli immigration authorities.

Those who want to work in Israel but who are not granted an immigration visa under the Israeli Law of Return (Aliyah) need to obtain a work visa. It is illegal to work in Israel without one. For further details see the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Student visas are granted to those who want to study in Israel. The visa is valid for up to one year and for multiple entrances and exits. Recipients of a student visa are not allowed to work.

If you are not a UK national, check whether you need to obtain a visa to visit Israel. See the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs  website for details.

How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?

A work visa is granted to someone whose stay in Israel is approved for a limited period of time for the purpose of work. Work visas are very difficult to obtain and are usually given to experts in a particular field.

An application should be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior. Workers must enter Israel within the period of time specified in the visa and stay in the country as specified in the visa. It is possible to apply for an extension to a work visa. If you work in Israel without a work visa, you can be detained and then deported.

If you are not a UK national, contact the Israeli embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the Embassy of Israel in the UK .

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Israel.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

Jewish immigration is strongly encouraged and supported. If you are Jewish or of Jewish descent, the Israeli Law of Return (Aliyah) may apply to you.

Contact the Embassy of Israel in the UK  or the Israeli Embassy in your own country for details.