General Visa Information
All incoming students arriving in Israel (including post-doctoral fellows) must obtain a student visa before arriving in Israel. Our offices will assist you in the process and provide you with the necessary documents.
Please Note!
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reserves the right to periodically update visa information requirements. For those who intended to stay in Israel for a short period of time, Israel has visa exemption agreements with many countries for short visits of up to 90 days. You can check whether you need to obtain a visa to visit Israel by viewing the list.
Obtaining a Student Visa to Israel
A/2 Visa
This visa is granted to those who want to study in Israel. The visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months and can be extended. The A/2 student visa does not allow you to work in Israel, and its validity is dictated by the consulate.
The documents required for a student visa are as follows:
- Confirmation of studies
- Acceptance letter
- Birth certificate
- Scanned passport
- Entry visa application form: to download the visa application form, click here and contact the local consulate for the exact details requested as they may vary.
A list of Israeli consulates around the world can be found here.
If you still can’t get a response from the Israeli consulate and it is an urgent or exceptional case, please contact us @ [email protected].
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Arrange an appointment at the local consulate
Step 2: Arrive at the consulate with all the required documents as stated above, as well as a credit card
Step 3: Wait for an answer from the consulate regarding your student visa.
A/4 Visa
Those who wish to bring their family with them, must request an A/4 visa for their family members. This visa is granted to the spouses and minor children of recipients of A/2 visas. Recipients of this visa are not permitted to work in Israel.
The steps for issuing the A/4 are similar to the A/2. Apostille marriage and / or birth certificates are required.
The process of issuing an A/4 visa can only be granted once the student visa A/2 is valid.
Work visa B1 for spouses (Ph.D. candidates and postdocs only)
In accordance with the new regulations from the Ministry of the Interior, doctoral students and Post doctorates can request a B1 license (temporary residence and work permit), for their spouse without the need to obtain employment permits. The application for this visa type will be submitted to the International School at [email protected]. The request will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior by us. The personal presence of both partner’s is required at the Ministry when the request is submitted.
For health insurance issues (including foreign workers’ options for eligible spouses) visit out dedicated page
The documents required for the application:
- Visa category change form
- An official document from the state of origin issued in the last six months confirming that the spouse does not have a criminal record or any convictions
- The student’s statement attesting to the relationship with the partner for which the request is submitted
- A confirmation from the university that the student is studying for a doctorate or a post-doctorate
- The university’s confirmation that the student is receiving funding for his tuition or attesting to their means of income during the academic year
- Medical authorization.
Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the expiration date of the requested visa. The change of visa category includes a fee, as stipulated by the MOI. The final decision regarding the request will take into consideration multiple factors including previous stays in Israel. The visa is valid for a year or for the duration of the partners student visa.
All visas are granted as single-entry visa. If you intend to leave Israel and come back during your stay, make sure to reach out to the visa coordinator in order to change your visa category. A Multiple Entry visa can be requested for the above-mentioned visa types, which allows its holders to leave and re-enter Israel while it is valid. It is issued through the MOI for a maximum of 12 months and can be extended.
The student visa is valid for 12 months and its expiration date is written on the visa. A few weeks before the expiration date, make sure to contact at [email protected] to start the visa renewal process.
Renewing Your Student Visa
The process of renewing your visa is done through the Ministry of Interior, with the International School’s assistance.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: In order to extend your A/2 visa, make sure to prepare all the necessary documents as follows:
- Photocopy of the first page of the passport (for each applicant)
- Extension form
- Certification of Studies (Ph.D. students and post-doctoral fellows are required to send a letter from their supervisor or host in Israel).
Students who wish to extend their spouse’s/children’s A/4 visa as well must attach the following documents, in addition to the previous documents mentioned:
- Marriage / Common Law certificate with apostille (if the original document is not in Hebrew/English)
- For children – a birth certificate with an apostille
- Scanned passport for each member of the family
- Extension forms for each member of the family
Step 2: Contact us at [email protected]. In your email make sure to mention the following details:
- Your Full Name
- Passport Number
- Academic Status (BA, MA, Ph.D., Post-doctor, etc.)
- Whether you intend to leave the country any time soon, and if so, when and for how long.
While filing your request, make sure to include all the required documents, otherwise, we won’t be able to process your visa extension. We recommend that you review the information on the MOI’s website.
Step 3: Following your request, a letter from the International School will be sent – along with your documents – to the Ministry of the Interior (Bialik St 2, Ramat Gan), and a meeting will be coordinated for you.
Step 4: Details regarding the appointment will be sent to you as soon as we have them.
At the MOI an extension fee will be charged by credit card only; cash transactions will not be accepted.
Please bring all the documents and your passport to the MOI.
The Ministry of Interior does not allow status changes (e.g., from a tourist to a student visa) for those already in Israel. Requesting such a change will require the student to leave the country and change the status at the local consulate, before returning to Israel under the new status.
For any assistance regarding entry and/or extending a student visa, please contact us: [email protected]
Tel: 03-738-4246
