What to Bring

Israel is a modern, developed country, and you can purchase virtually anything you need during your stay, including clothing, cosmetics, and hygiene products.

It's a good idea to bring a small bag for day trips. Sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses are essential items throughout the year.

Summer
(April -October): Lightweight suit, slacks, shorts and open neck shirts for men, several light cotton daytime dresses and more formal afternoon dress for women, light shoes, sandals and walking shoes; sunglasses and hat (essential); swimsuit and beachwear; a light coat, jacket sweater for cool evenings in the hills. It's also a good idea to pack a sweater or jacket, since nights in the mountains and the desert can be cool.

Winter
(November-March) : Warm coat, sweaters, raincoat and hat, walking shoes, overshoes, shirts, slacks, sports jacket and suit for men, warm suit, blouses, skirts and slacks, long dress or evening skirt for women; Weather in Israel is not cold as it is in Europe, but days can be rainy and cold. lighter clothing and swimsuit for the southern regions. If you are travelling to Eilat or the Dead Sea, it's a good idea to bring a bathing suit, since it is warm enough to swim there even in the winter. If you are planning on hiking, no matter what the season, you will need good shoes and a lot of water, either in a canteen or in several bottles. You will need a sleeping bag, tent, and camping equipment only if you are planning on sleeping outdoors. Most youth hostels supply sheets and blankets.

Between Seasons:
Suits, light coats, sweaters and light blouses or shirts

Electrical Appliances:
The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single-phase, 50 Hertz. Most Israeli sockets are of the three pronged variety, but many accommodate some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, travelling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers, which can be purchased in Israel.

Insurance:

Medical Insurance: Health care in Israel is not free and any form of medical treatment can be expensive. Check that you have full insurance cover for emergency treatment, hospitalisation and medical evacuation to the UK. If you cannot obtain cover for a specific illness, ensure that extra funds can be sent to you easily. Hospitals will insist on payment and may take legal action to delay departure until bills are met.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance should cover unexpected expenses such as missed, cancelled or delayed flights, lost luggage and stolen cash or credit cards.

For a more convenient trip contact Israeli Government Tourist Offices prior to flying.

Israeli Government tourist offices

Israel 
Ministry of Tourism
5 Bank Israel Street, B Genri Building,
Jerusalem 91009, Israel  
Tel: (2) 666 4200. Fax: (2) 666 4402.  
Website: www.tourism.gov.il

UK 
Israel Government Tourist Office
UK House, 180 Oxford Street,
London W1D 1NN, UK 
Tel: (020) 7299 1100/10/11. Fax: (020) 7299 1112. 
E-mail: info@igto.co.uk
Website: www.go-israel.org

USA 
Israel Government Tourist Office 
800 Second Avenue, 16th Floor,
New York, NY 10017, USA 
Tel: (212) 499 5660 or (888) 77 477 235 (toll-free in USA and Canada). 
Fax: (212) 499 5665.
E-mail: info@goisrael.com
Website: www.go-israel.org 
Offices also in: Los Angeles.

Canada: 
Canadian Embassy 
Street address: 3/5 Nirim Street, 4th Floor, Tel Aviv 67060, Israel
Postal address: PO Box 9442, Tel Aviv 67060, Israel
Tel: (3) 636 3300. Fax: (3) 636 3380. E-mail: taviv@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/telaviv 

Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
PO Box 534, Manger Street, Bethlehem, Palestine
Tel: (2) 274 1581/2/3. Fax: (2) 274 3753.
E-mail: mota@visit-palestine.com
Website: www.visit-palestine.com
Offices also in: Gaza, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus and Ramallah.

Information can also acquired at Israeli Embassies

Israeli Embassies:

UK:
Embassy of Israel 
2 Palace Green, London W8 4QB, UK  
Tel: (020) 7957 9500. Fax: (020) 7957 9555.  
E-mail: info-assist@london.mfa.gov.il  
Website: http://london.mfa.gov.il  
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0900-1730, Fri 0830-1330.  
Consular Section: 15a Old Court Palace, London W8 4QB, UK  
Tel: (020) 7957 9576/9627/9680. Fax: (020) 7957 9577.  
E-mail: cons-sec@london.mfa.gov.il  
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 1000-1330, Fri 1000-1230. 

USA:
Embassy of Israel 
3514 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA  
Tel: (202) 364 5500 or 5527 (consular section). Fax: (202) 364 5607 or 5429 (consular section).  
E-mail: ask@israelemb.org or info@washington.mfa.gov.il  
Website: www.israelemb.org  
Consulates in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. 

Canada:
Embassy of Israel 
50 O'Connor Street, Suite 1005, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2, Canada  
Tel: (613) 567 6450. Fax: (613) 567 9878.  
E-mail: ottawa@israel.org  
Website: www.embassyofisrael.ca 
Consulates in: Montréal and Toronto.

Visa Information :

Please note that in order to travel to Israel from any country including those which do not need a visa you require:
1. A passport valid for at least 6 months.
2. A return ticket to Israel.

Visitors to Israel holding passports with less than six months validity may be turned away by airlines and ferries at ports of embarkation, and can be refused entry at the Israeli border. Failure to leave by the date stamped in your passport or to apply for a timely extension of stay can result in deportation or a fine.

Following is the list of countries whose citizens do not need to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Israel as long as they are travelling as a tourist and plan on staying in Israel for up to 3-month. Citizens of any country not listed below must apply for a visa (including Legal residents of the U.S. holding a valid American Re-Entry Permit or a Refugee travel document (Please be advised that a "Green Card" is not a travel document).

If you are a citizen of a country not on this list contact the embassy in your country.

Countries not requiring Visas:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland,Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia,Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St Kitts & Nevis Surinam, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu.

The request for visa should be done personally, and can't be sent by mail.

There are three different visas types issued by the consular section, please find the requirements for the visa most suiting your needs:
Tourist Visa
Student Visa
Official and diplomatic Visas

Extending Your Stay
Visas may be extended (for a nominal fee) at offices of the Ministry of Interior in the following locations: Afula, Akko (Acre), Ashqelon, Be'er Sheva, Elat, Hadera, Haifa, Herzelia, Holon, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Netanya, Petah Tiqva, Ramat Gan, Ramla, Rehovot, Safed, Tel Aviv, Tiberias.

Work Permits
If you wish to work in Israel you must first find secure employment in Israel and ask your prospective employer to apply for a work visa for you there.

U.S. Visa Requirements
Requirements for a Tourist Visa :

1. Completed application form

2. Two current passport pictures, facing forward (size 2" x 2")

3. Valid passport or travel document (validity must be at least 6 months from intended visit date)

4. Round-trip flight ticket or itinerary.

5. Valid re-entry visa to the United States or a copy of permanent residency (Green card).

6. Letter from employer, stating you are currently employed. approximately 10 days)

7. Reservation details of hotels or address where you will stay in Israel.permanent residency (Green card)

8. Health insurance.

9. A minor under the age of 18 travelling alone or with one parent, must present a notarized letter from both
parents permitting him/her to travel

10 .The Original and a photocopy of the above are needed.

11 .Processing fees:
- $17 (Non-refundable administrative processing fee)
- $10 mailing charges (processing time by mail approximately 10 days)

All consular fees are to be made in cash or money order only.
We do not accept Personal checks.

12 .Processing time is approximately two weeks.


Requirements for a Student Visa :
An American citizen who's going to Israel as a student, has to go with a valid Student Visa. Please note that the Consular Section will only issue a student Visa for one year. If you need to extend your student Visa, or you want to go to Israel as a student for a second time you will have to apply for visa in Israel.

1. Completed application form

2. Two current passport pictures, facing forward (size 2" x 2")

3. Original letter of acceptance from University, Yeshiva or educational institution.

4. Passport or travel document that is valid for more than a year from the date of entrance to Israel.

5. Round-trip flight ticket or itinerary.

6. Statement from your bank showing that you have funds to support your stay in Israel while you are a student, if you are a minor you can bring a statement from your parents bank.

7. Valid re-entry visa to the United States (excluding a tourist visa) or a copy of permanent residency (Green card). If you are currently residing illegally in the United States you will not be able to receive a visa. support your stay in Israel while you are a student

8. A minor under the age of 18, must present a notarized letter from both parents permitting him/her to travel

9. The Original and a photocopy of the above are needed.

10. Processing fees:
- $25 (Non-refundable administrative processing fee)
- $10 mailing charges (processing time by mail approximately 10 days)

All consular fees are to be made in cash or money order only.
We do not accept Personal checks.

11. Processing time is approximately one week.


Requirements for an official visa :

1. Completed application form

2. Two current passport pictures, facing forward (size 2 " x 2")

3. 3. Valid official or diplomatic passport (valid at least 6 months from the visa request date) Letter from the department of state, Special Issuance Agency, or from your agency director.

4. Copy of the page of each passport (the page showing the photograph and applicant's details).

5. Processing time is approximately one week.