Visa Policy of Palestine I Visa to the Palestinian Territories I Palestine Visa
People always want to know if a Palestinian visa is needed to visit Palestine, and, if so, what one needs to do in order to get a visa. They also want to know for how long a visa to Palestine is valid. The Israeli government and its authorities are responsible for providing you with a visa either upon your arrival (the Palestinian Authority is not responsible as it does not control the state borders of Israel) or through its embassies/consulates prior to your visit.
Upon Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport
Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country, or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossing; Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.
If your home country does not have an exemption agreement with Israel, you will have to procure a visa from the Israeli embassy/consulate at home before you visit. Because many Arab countries do not accept Israeli stamps upon passports, Israel now issues their visa on a separate small card with a bar code indicating the visa time validity. Please keep this visa card WITH your passport at all times. You may check to see whether or not your native country participates in a visa exemption agreement.
Dealing with Border Control Officials
It is recommended that independent travelers be honest about their travel plans to Israeli border officials. Though Israel does make an effort to keep foreign activists out of the West Bank, travel to the West Bank is legal and frequent. Lying to officials can lead to deportation or refusal of entry. Your entry into Israel is entirely at the discretion of the border officials.
When traveling to-and-from the West Bank, expect a longer security check that will last from 1-3 hours, especially if you have traveled to other countries in the region. Most of the time, this extensive questioning will only occur when entering Israel for the first time and when leaving Israel after an extended period of time spent in the West Bank. Remain calm, respectful, and honest, and you should have little issue securing a visa and be on your way to the West Bank in no time!
