Israel, over the years, becomes one of the strangleholds of technology. From defence to agriculture, software development to human resources, the country has come a long way. However, in the field of Medical Technology, Israel has been able to create a tremendous credential. People from around the world apply for a medical visa after fulfilling the Israel visa Requirements. Being in one of the world's geopolitical hotspots, Israel Visa Requirements are stringent. However, to facilitate better relationships with origin countries, Israel Visa Policy towards patients are mostly liberal.
Do I need a visa for Israel?
The Foreign Office of Israel periodically releases the list of countries, nationals of whom do not require a visa for a stay period of 3 months.
Israel also provides visas on the grounds of reciprocity. That means the countries that allow Israelis a free visa on arrival will also be provided to their nationalities. They would be on the Israel visa-free countries list.
The Israel Visa Processing time varies among missions. It is usually 15 days but may take longer. To compensate for the Israel Visa processing time, one must always apply early.
Hence, the answer to Do I need a Visa for Israel gets answered by simply looking at the list of countries, nationals of whom are exempted from applying for one.
Here's the list of Israel visa-free countries:
- European Union countries
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Canada
- The central African Republic
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Macao
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates (from 1 July 2021)[4]
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
However, the Israel Visa Requirements permit a stay only for 3 months.
A visitor visa allows the visitor to stay for a longer period depending on treatment and disease. That will have to be notified by the medical practitioner under whom the patient is being treated. The hospital or the clinic will have the responsibility to inform the Israel Government about the impending admission of the foreign patient.
Israel Visa Types
This is the list of the Israel Visa Types;
- Immigration visa
- A/1 Temporary Resident visa
- A/2 Student visa
- A/3 Clergy visa
- A/4 visa for spouses and children
- B/1 Work visa
- B/2 visitor's visa
Immigration Visa: The Immigration Visa is fundamentally guided by the Law of Return, 5710 – 1950. This law provides the Right of Return to every Jew, irrespective of their current place of residence. The law respects the ancient connection between the Jews and the land. The Jews who are returning to Israel are either those who went away after birth or whose ancestors were away. The Immigration Law states that a Jew is born to a Jewish mother or one who has converted to Judaism and is not linked to any other religion or religious faculty.
This law also states the arrangement between the Foreign Office and the Jewish Agency.
The immigration and its approval is the exclusive responsibility of the Foreign Office and the consular representative in charge of the immigration procedures. The Aliya Representative advises the consular representative on the cultural and religious connotations and both of them work closely while approving a candidature for immigration.
A/1 Temporary Resident Visa: This is provided to the ones who have been cleared for immigration. This status is provided to individuals who have completed the examination process with the Aliya representative and whose application has been approved by the consular representative from any one of the Israeli Missions.
A/2 Student Visa: Many travels to Israel as students for higher studies. Israel has some of the best universities and the world and is quite an attractive place for foreign students. Also being of moderate climate and affordable education, Israel sees flocks of foreigners coming over for higher studies. A student visa is valid for up to one year and has multiple entries and exits. However, a person with a student visa is not allowed to work in Israel. In addition to the standard documents required for a visa, a student has to provide additional documentation about the educational institute and course opted for. Travel documents that show that the country of origin has diplomatic relationship Israel is also asked for. In case, the country does not have a diplomatic relationship with Israel, then the passport needs to be valid for the entire run of the course and six months beyond it.
A/3 Visa: This is given to clerics for them to fulfill their religious duties among their religious communities in Israel. However, to be eligible for this visa, they have to be invited by one of the religious institutions, recognized by the Government of Israel. The A/3 is also known as the Clergy Visa. Once the clergy visits the country, the Foreign Office will be issuing a regular B/2 Visa. In case of more clarification, the consulate may ask for more information.
A/4 Visa: This applies to spouses and children of those who have received their A/2 and A/3 visas. Nobody else is eligible for this visa. In case for more information, the consulate may ask for additional documentation.
B/1 Work Visa: This is a visa that is provided for specific activities. A B/1 Work Visa is given to those who have arrived in the country for a limited period in time for a particular business. The visa is often given to artists and professionals and solely at the discretion of the Ministry of the Interiors. This type of Israel Visa Application has a few particular Israel Visa Requirements. The Foreign Ministry also records fingerprints and photographs of the foreign workers.
B/2 Visitor's Visa: This is for those who wish to visit Israel for only a short period in time. A person with a B/2 Visa is not allowed to work in the country. A lot of planning needs to be undertaken before an Israel Visa Application. The B/2 Visa is valid for only three months from the date of issue.
How to get Israel Visa?
How to get Israel visa is one of the pertinent questions that most visitors ask. The easiest way to get is to download the online form, fill it up, submit it online, and book an appointment with the Israeli mission. If you have planned to travel to Israel, then all this must be done much in advance. It comes under the garb of the B/2 Visitor's Visa with additional information like the hospital's name, type of treatment, and a certificate of acceptance from the doctor or the hospital itself, preferably. The other pertinent question asked is how much is Israel Visa Fee?
How much is Israel Visa fee?
The visa fee differs as per the Israel Visa Types. It also depends on the Israel Visa-Free countries or those where Israel provides visas on arrival. Once the Israel Visa Application is completed and submitted, the fee has to be paid.
Let us quickly look at the visa fee:
- B/3 Visa - Euro 22.00, $27.00
- A/3-Clergy Visa – Euro 44.00, $54.00
- A/4 Temporary Visa – Euro 44, $54.00
- A/5 Temporary Residence Visa – Euro 44.00, $54.00
- B/2 Visitor's Visa – Euro 22.00, $27.00
- B/1 Work Visa – Euro 44.00, $54.00
- A/2 Student Visa – Euro 44.00, $54.00
The fee is non-refundable and even if the application is rejected, the fee will be not be returned. One can always reapply or request the consulate or the Foreign Office to reconsider the application.
