Christian traveling to the holy land and international travelers come to Israel for many reasons, including faith, tourism, business, medical treatments, and temporary work. The type of visa’s are defined by Israeli immigration laws, and relate to principal purposes of travel. Note that a visa does not guarantee entry into Israel.
Here you can find a link to Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs contact page where they can provide information on which countries require a prearranged visa. In case of US citizens it is not required to have a prearranged Israeli visa, instead a US passport valid at least six months from the date they depart Israel is all that is required.
When you land in Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, visitors will undergo a normal security check and are requested to present a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of departure. Again remember in case of US citizens a valid US passport is all that is needed that will also be valid six months from the date of departure.
After this initial inspection with a passport on your trip to Israel, incoming travelers continue to the passenger luggage area. Here carts are at your disposal, and you can continue to customs control and later to the airport exit. When traveling on our Holy Land tours you will be met and assisted by our representatives at the luggage area, and after they will wait for you at the customs exit while you finish the visitors customs process.
Important to consider are tourist who will continue from Israel to Arab countries, it is recommended by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, to request that an Israeli stamp does not appear on your passport. You can let the customs clerk know of your request prior to your documents being stamped. In these cases you will fill out a 17L form that will include your details, and this form is stamped by passport control instead of your visa. The form will not be collected upon exit of airport, and can be used by you for proof of entry for other personal reasons such as taxes.
In customs there is a two-lane system, one green and other red, visitors who do not have goods to be declared may go through the green lane at the exit of the passenger arrival hall. Personal items that do not need to be declared may include: clothing, shoes, cosmetic’s – in quantities that can usually be carried in traveler’s hand luggage. Alcoholic beverages – up to one liter of hard liquor, and up to two of wine, per person ages 17 and over. Tobacco of all types - up to 250 grams per person ages 17 and over. Presents and other commodities costing up to $200, as determined by the customs clerk at the entrance. Food – up to a total weight of 6.6 Lbs, on condition that each type of food you bring in does not exceed 2.2 Lbs. Additional items including cameras, ipads, cell phones, laptops, personal jewelry, binoculars, musical instruments, equipments such as sporting and camping and other like items.
Visitors whom have articles not appearing in the duty free list or have items that are taxable must go through the red lane and declare them. Tourist traveling on our Christian Holy Land Tours and all visitors whom have reason for doubt if your items are not duty free, the custom tax authorities recommend going through the red lane.
It is not allowed to import the following items into Israel without carrying a license issued in advance by the Israeli government: firearms, raw meat, plants, raw materials, counterfeit currencies, counterfeit documents, knifes or penknife’s that are not used for professional use.
Note that failure to declare taxable items is an offense. For additional information for immigration and customs when entering Israel contact or visit the website of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.