PHOTO SPECIFICATION
Note: The photo requirements are very strict. Please follow the following instructions accordingly:
- The photograph must be in color.
- It should be without border.
- It should have a white or light colored background only so that features are distinguishable and in contrast against the background.
- It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
- It should be in sharp focus and clear.
- It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
- The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
- It should be 5 cm X 5 cm.
- It should show your skin tone naturally.
- It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
- The photograph should be a recent one not more than 3 months old.
- Photograph can be taken with headgear, The main characteristics of the face must be apparent from the photograph.
Chin, nose, eyes and eyebrows must not be covered; the forehead should be uncovered to the extent that the shape
of the face is apparent. - It should be without hat/cap.
- It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
- The photograph must show facing square on to the camera, not looking over the shoulder or tilted, and showing both edges of the face clearly.
- It should be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on the face and no red eye.
- If wearing glasses the photograph must show the eyes clearly with no flash reflection off the glasses and no tinted
lenses (if possible, avoid heavy frames – lighter framed glasses to be worn). Make sure the frame does not cover any
part of the eye. - The photograph must show alone (no chair backs, toys or other people visible) looking at the camera with a neutral
expression and the mouth closed. - The photograph should not have any staple marks.
- Scanned & color photocopies would NOT be accepted.
B/2 VISITOR'S VISA
A B/2 visa is granted to someone who wishes to stay in Israel for only a short time (for a visit, tourism, a business meeting or
study in a Hebrew ulpan). A person who enters Israel on a B/2 visa is not allowed to work in the State of Israel.
A B/2 visa is valid for up to three months from the date of issue. The duration of the stay in Israel will be determined by the Border Police. A visitor who wishes to extend his visit may submit an application at one of the regional population administration offices
of the Ministry of the Interior.
Please note: A minor will not be given a visa without the written consent of both parents, or his legal guardian(s), signed by an attorney.
The visa will be issued by the mission upon provision of the following:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months. The passport must have at least 3 blank pages at the time of application.
- Visa application form, duly completed and signed by the applicant. Click here to download Visa form
- A recent, clear, passport photo (5cm x 5cm) on a white background & high quality paper. Click here to download the Israel Embassy photo requirements and studio locations.
- An Invitation letter from ISRAEL. The letter can only be obtained from an Israeli citizen, an Israeli company or a tour company based in Israel.
- A Letter from an employer or Company. In case of self employment or unemployment, a recommendation letter from a second party or an introduction letter from the applicant will be required.
- An international Travel & Medical Insurance to cover you for the duration of your stay in Israel.
- A bank statement for the past 6 months.
- A return flight itinerary.
- VISA application fee of $25 or KES 2400 + Service charge of $26 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Total is $51 or KES 4840
Mode of payment is either cash (KES/USD) or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833
The consul may request additional documents.
Visa application processing takes 14 working days.
No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
EXCEPTIONS BAHAI CATEGORIES
- Baha'i with a confirmation from the interior-(Hebrew letter); he/she needs only (1) visa application form, (2) the letter from the interior, (3) Photos, (4) no visa fee, (5) Passport (valid 6 months, 3 empty double pages).
- Baha'i without any confirmation, needs to bring all the requirements, just like any other application, and should pay visa fee.
- Baha'i volunteers, needs to bring (1) visa application form (2) a confirmation letter from the Baha'i world center in Israel
(3) Photo (4) passport and should pay for the visa. (Please note the letter should mention that all the expenses are taken care of by the center including the insurance).
Since the fee is collected for handling the application, it will not be refunded to the applicant if the visa is not issued for any
reason.
B/4 VOLUNTEER VISA
A B/4 visa is granted to someone who wishes to stay in Israel for only a short time (for a visit, tourism, a business meeting or
study in a Hebrew ulpan). A person who enters Israel on a B/4 visa is not allowed to work in the State of Israel.
A B/4 visa is valid for up to three months from the date of issue. The duration of the stay in Israel will be determined by the Border Police. A Volunteer who wishes to extend his visit may submit an application at one of the regional population administration offices of the Ministry of the Interior.
The visa will be issued by the mission upon provision of the following:
- Visa application form, duly completed and signed by the applicant. Click here to download Visa form
- A passport valid for at least 6 months.
- The passport must have at least 3 double blank pages at the time of application.
- A recent, clear, passport photo (5cm x 5cm) on a white background & high quality paper. Click here to download the Israel Embassy photo requirements and studio locations.
- A return flight booking or ticket for your journey.
- A bank statement for the past 6 months.
- VISA application fee of $23 or KES 2400 + Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment cash in KES / USD or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833
- A Letter from an employer or Company.
- An Invitation letter from ISRAEL. The letter can only be obtained from an Israeli citizen, an Israeli company or a tour company based in Israel.
- An international Travel & Medical Insurance to cover you for the duration of your stay in Israel.
- Visa application processing takes 14 working days.
- No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
The consul may request additional documents.
EXCEPTIONS BAHAI CATEGORIES
- Bahai with a confirmation from the interior-(Hebrew letter), he/she needs only (1) visa application form, (2) the letter from the interior, (3) Photos, (4) no visa fee, (5) Passport (valid 6 months, 3 empty double pages).
- Bahai without any confirmation, needs to bring all the requirements, just like any other application, and should pay visa fee.
- Bahai volunteers, needs to bring (1) visa application form (2) a confirmation letter from the Baha'i world center in Israel
(3) Photo (4) passport and should pay for the visa. (Please note the letter should mention that all the expenses are taken care of by the center including the insurance).
Since the fee is collected for handling the application, it will not be refunded to the applicant if the visa is not issued for any
reason.
STUDENT VISA
This visa is granted to those who want to study in Israel in elementary and high schools, academic institutions, yeshivot and youth institutions of the Jewish Agency.
The visa is valid for up to one year and for multiple entrances and exits. Recipients of this visa are not permitted to work in Israel.
The visa is granted to students who provide the following:
- A passport that is valid for at least one year, provided that their country has a diplomatic mission in the State of Israel. If there
is no such mission in Israel, the passport must be valid for the entire period of studies and another six months beyond that
time. The travel document should have at least 6 blank visa pages. - Two pictures 5 x 5 cm, white background, high quality.
- Completed and signed application for a visa to enter Israel. Click here to download Visa form.
- Certification of acceptance for study at a recognized educational institution in Israel .including dates of beginning and ending
of educational program. - Proof that the student has the financial means to pay for his studies and sustenance throughout his stay in Israel: (bank statements, proof of paying dormitories or place to live, proof of paying tuition, proof of allowance for expenses in israel).
- Payment of the tuition fee if on partial or no scholarship.
- Travel and medical insurance for the entire period
- Flight itinerary.
- VISA application fee of $46 or KES 4800 + Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment is either
cash (KES/USD) or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.
No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
UNITED NATIONS (UN) EMPLOYEE VISA
Exceptions:
The following groups are exception cases and therefore have different requirements:
Diplomatic and official passports:
Do not need to pay visa fee and do not need to introduce bank statements. All the other requirements are needed. Please note
that applicant can also directly approach the Embassy of Israel for the visa.
United Nations and all its sub-groups ( UNICEF, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNMAS, UN-WOMEN, UN-HABITAT, UNODC, UNIDO, UNDSS, UNDPP..)
All UN workers and their family members need visa to Israel regardless to their nationality, if going on an official mission to Israel (Short term mission or long term mission).
Note: This visa is NOT valid for entering Gaza.
In order to coordinate or enter to Gaza, UN headquarters will contact the Israeli army through the following link: http://www.cogat.idf.il/1570-en/IDFG.aspx
Requirements are as following:
- Official letter from the United Nations headquarters regarding the person's mission (and his family members), the letter usually mentions on which passport (national or official) the visa should be.
- Photo Copy of national passport.
- Photo 5cm x 5cm.
- Special visa application forms for United Nations officials. Click here to download Special Request form for UN
official visa worker. - Proof of Medical insurance.
- Flight details.
- No Visa Fee charge if traveling on UN business, but service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT) applies. Mode of payment is either cash (KES/USD) or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.
No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
In cases of United Nations Employees visiting Israel for private reasons (tour, friends etc), please act according to regular requirements of B/2 visit on national passport.
A/3 CLERGY VISA
This visa is granted to clergymen for the purpose of fulfilling their clerical duties among their religious communities in Israel,
pursuant to the invitation of a recognized religious institution in Israel. A clergyman who goes to Israel for a visit and requires an entry visa will receive the regular B/2 visa.
Only the Ministry of the Interior has the authority to grant an A/3 visa. The application should be submitted in Israel by the religious institution that is inviting the clergyman. The mission will only issue the visa with the prior approval of the Ministry of the Interior. The validity of the visa will be in accordance with Ministry of Interior guidelines, with the option of renewal only in Israel.
If the visa is approved by the Ministry of the Interior, the visa will be issued by the mission upon provision of the
following:
- Copy of Approval by the Ministry of the Interior.
- A valid passport – the passport must be valid for the entire period of stay and another six months beyond that time, and
at least 6 blank visa pages. - Two pictures 5 x 5 cm, on white background, high quality.
- Completed and signed application for a visa to enter Israel. Click here to download Visa form.
- Travel and medical insurance for the entire period.
- Flight itinerary.
- VISA application fee (usually no need of payment when approved by Ministry of interior) of $46 or KES 4800.
- Payment of the Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment is either cash (KES/USD) or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.
No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
A/4 VISA FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN
This visa is granted to the spouses and minor children of recipients of A/2 or A/3 visas.
The visa will be issued under the following conditions:
- The applicant is the spouse and/or minor child of a person who received an A/2 or A/3 visa ( proof by marriage certificate/birth certificate).
- An application for an A/4 visa has been filled out and signed, and attached to the visa application of the person they are accompanying. Click here to download Visa form.
- Payment of the fee.
- A valid passport – the passport must be valid for the entire period of stay and another six months beyond that time, and
at least 6 blank visa pages. - The passport must have at least 3 double blank pages at the time of application.
- Two pictures 5 x 5 cm, white background high quality.
- Travel and medical insurance for all the period
- Flight itinerary
- VISA application fee of $23 or KES 2300 + Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment cash in KES / USD or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.
No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
B/1 WORK VISA
This visa is for a person whose stay in Israel is approved for a limited period of time for the purpose of work. This visa is given to experts and artists, among others, and is granted solely with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior.
The fee is paid by the applicant when the application is submitted to one of the population administration offices of the Ministry of
the Interior. Upon receipt of approval from the Ministry of the Interior, the mission will issue the B/1 Work visa after interviewing
the applicant and obtaining from him the following requirements:
- A valid passport – The passport must have at least 3 double blank pages at the time of application.
- Two pictures 5 x 5 cm, on a white background & of high quality.
- A completed and signed application for a visa to enter Israel. Click here to download Visa form.
- A verified certificate of good conduct.
- Certification of medical examinations performed in clinics or hospitals recognized by the mission (the certification must cover,
inter alia, normal results in tests for tuberculosis, hepatitis and AIDS) and the results of blood tests. - A declaration of the taking of a fingerprint (the State of Israel has begun to take a fingerprint from foreign workers who enter
the country to work) and a photograph. - Travel and medical insurance for the entire period.
- Flight itinerary.
- VISA application fee of $46 or KES 4700 + Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment is either
cash (KES/USD) or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.
The validity of the B/1 Work visa will be in accordance with Ministry of Interior guidelines. The worker must enter Israel within
the period of time specified in the visa and stay in the country as specified in the visa. A person who receives such a visa may
apply to one of the population administration offices of the Ministry of the Interior to extend the visa.
No documents or Photos should be STAPLED or GLUED.
IMMIGRATION VISA
The Law of Return, 5710 - 1950 determines the right of every Jew to immigrate to the State of Israel. The law is an expression of
the connection between the Jewish people and their homeland. Jews returning to Israel are considered people who were
away - or whose ancestors were away - from Israel, and are now returning to their country. With regard to the law, "A Jew is a person born to a Jewish mother, or who is a convert to Judaism, and is not a member of another religion."
According to an arrangement between the government of Israel and the Jewish Agency, the latter handles immigration (aliya) to Israel: checking candidates, providing advice and guidance, seeing to absorption arrangements, referrals to immigrant centers, places of study, employment, etc. An aliya emissary of the Jewish Agency who recommends a person's immigration, transfers the application together with his written recommendation to an official representative of the State of Israel.
According to the law, the authority to issue the immigration visa lies solely with the diplomatic / consular representative. Therefore, this representative examines the application and the recommendation of the aliya representative. The diplomatic / consular representative may request additional details, both from the applicant and from the immigration representative. In cases of doubt, the diplomatic / consular representative may transfer the application to the consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a decision.
Those interested in commencing the process of immigrating to Israel should contact the aliya representative of the Jewish Agency who is responsible for the area in which they reside.
VISA application fee of $23 or KES 2100 + Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment cash in
KES / USD or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.
A/1 TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA
For people eligible for immigration under the Law of Return
An A/1 Temporary Resident visa is given to a person who is eligible for immigration (aliya) and has completed the examination process with the aliya representative of the Jewish Agency, and whose application has been examined and approved by the diplomatic / consular representative at an Israeli mission.
VISA application fee of $46 or KES 4700 + Service charge of $27 or KES 2440 (inclusive of VAT). Mode of payment cash in KES / USD or Mpesa Paybill number: 516833.