Extending an Israeli tourist visa can be a complicated and confusing process. Upon landing in Israel, most Western travelers will be granted a free on-arrival B/2 tourist visa that is valid for a stay of up to three months. In some cases, travellers may be granted a shortened visa of only 30 days or even two weeks—especially when entering by land from Jordan or Egypt. The duration of your visa is entirely up to the discretion of the Israeli border control official. If you are planning to visit or volunteer in Palestine for an extended period of time, you will likely need to go through the visa extension process.
There are two main ways to extend an Israeli Visa:
- Apply for a visa extension through the Israeli government
- Do a ‘visa run’ to Jordan or Egypt
Option 1: Apply for a visa extension through the Israeli Government
To apply for a visa extension through the Israeli government—the more official, lengthy, and difficult of the two options—you must submit a visa extension application form at a Population and Immigration Authority office or a local Israeli mission. A quick Google search will yield offices and missions across Israeli, most notably in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, and Eilat, but offices in smaller towns are often faster and easier to deal with. To expedite the process, it is recommended to make an appointment online before arriving in-person at an office or mission. To access the appointment form in English or Arabic, click the world icon in the top left corner of the page.
In addition to the visa extension application form, you should come prepared with the following:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date you are requesting to stay
- Two passport pictures (5x5cm)
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the visit, such as bank statements from the previous three months
- Round trip airline tickets to and from Israel
- A letter explaining why you want/need an extension
- Documents proving the authenticity of the application, such as a contract to volunteer at a local organization
- A payment fee, which will not be refunded if the visa is not issued for any reason.
Option 2: Do a visa run to Jordan or Egypt
The second option for extending an Israeli visa is to do a ‘visa run’ to Jordan, Egypt, or another country overseas. A visa run is a short trip over an international border with the intention of resetting a visa that is about to expire. In most cases, taking a sightseeing trip to Jordan or Egypt for the weekend and then returning to Israel will provide you with a new three month B/2 tourist visa.
Be careful not to abuse the visa run option. Doing so could raise suspicions among Israeli border officials who ultimately have the power to deny your entry into Israel or shorten the duration of your visa. Be sure to check with local travelers and read local travel forums about the feasibility of this option. Visa and border regulations are subject to change at a moment’s notice, so it’s best to be equipped with the most up-to-date information on the ground.
Take note that, if you exit Israel overland to Jordan or Egypt, you will often receive a Jordanian or Egyptian passport stamp that states the border name—proving that you spent time in Israel and possibly barring your future travel to many countries in the region. If you hope to explore the Middle East at a later date, ask Jordanian or Egyptian border officials to place your stamp on a separate piece of paper before giving them your passport. Authorities are aware of the Israeli stamp issue and are typically willing to work with you, especially if you mention that you will be spending your time in Palestine or the occupied West Bank.
When re-entering Israel from Jordan or Egypt, be prepared to be questioned by Israeli authorities. To avoid any trouble or a prolonged interrogation, your best bet is to answer all questions honestly, respectfully, and tactfully and you should be sent on your way.
In conclusion, extending an Israeli visa can be a complicated and unpredictable process; however, if you equip yourself with the necessary knowledge, gather up-to-date information from local residents and travelers, and are tactful in your interactions with border officials, you should have no problem extending your visa and enjoying your time in Palestine.
