Entering Israel:
A passport valid for six months from date of entry is highly
recommended. There is no minimum requirement but one's stay must not
exceed the validity remaining on the passport. Also, airlines have been
known to decline boarding if the passport has less than 6 months. A
visa is not required for stays 90 days or less.
Anyone with an official or diplomatic U.S.
passport must obtain a visa before arriving. If you have been denied
entry, experienced problems with your status during a previous trip,
overstayed the duration on a previous visit, or otherwise violated the
terms of your admission to Israel, you need to consult the Israeli
Embassy or nearest Israeli Consulate before trying to go back. If you
seek resident status, you have to get approval from Israeli authorities
before you travel. A 10-year ban from travel to Israel may be imposed
on anyone who has committed immigration violations.
Entering the Gaza Strip: Citizens of the United States are
discouraged from traveling to the Gaza Strip which is under the control
of Hamas, a terrorist organization. American citizens who are already
there are encouraged to leave immediately. The U.S. government does not
permit its personnel to enter the Gaza Strip, making it difficult for
Americans in the Gaza Strip to receive consular assistance.
Entering the West Bank: While U.S. government personnel are
allowed to travel to Bethlehem and Jericho, the Department of State
urges U.S. citizens to be cautious when traveling to the West Bank at
this time. Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem for
additional assistance, if necessary. See the Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza for the latest information concerning travel to the West Bank.
Israel-Jordan Crossings: International crossing points between
Israel and Jordan are the Arava crossing (Wadi al-'Arabah) in the
south, near Eilat; and the Jordan River crossing (Sheikh Hussein
Bridge) in the north, near Beit Shean. American citizens do not need to
get visas before entering Israel at either of these crossing points.
However, they will have to pay fees that can change without notice.
Allenby Bridge (King Hussein Bridge): Travelers who want to
cross the Allenby Bridge between Jordan and the West Bank must obtain
visas ahead of time. (Note: Palestinian Americans with residency status
in the West Bank must enter Jordan via the Allenby Bridge.) Residents
of the West Bank or Gaza seeking to enter the regions from across the
Allenby Bridge should contact the Jordanian authorities for information
concerning special clearance procedures for Palestinian ID holders
before traveling to the bridge.
Procedures for all three crossings into Jordan are subject to frequent changes. Visit the Embassy of Israel web site for the most current visa information.
The United States Government seeks equal treatment and freedom
to travel for all American citizens regardless of national origin or
ethnicity. American citizens who encounter difficulties are encouraged
to contact the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Security Screening: The Israeli Government may require security
and police record checks for entry applicants. If suspected of Arab,
Middle Eastern, or Muslim origin, missionary activity, or political
activism visitors may encounter extended questioning from border
officials. Requesting that Israeli officials refrain from stamping your
passport is also cause for additional questioning or denial of entry.
Israeli-Americans: Any U.S. citizens with dual nationality or
claims to dual nationality will be considered Israeli citizens and
subject to Israeli legal and immigration restrictions. Dual citizens
must enter and leave the country with a valid Israeli passport, and may
not enter Gaza or parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority
control.
Palestinian-Americans: U.S. citizens born in the West Bank or
Gaza, with a Palestine Authority ID number, or with Palestinian parents
or grandparents, may be barred from the Israel without a PA passport.
Only the Allenby crossing from Jordan permits Palestinian-Americans to
leave with only a PA identity card and exit permit as long as they
obtain a visa for Jordan ahead of time.
Regardless of U.S. citizenship, individuals with or eligible
for a PA ID will be treated as a PA resident by Israeli officials. They
may be required to enter and depart the West Bank via the Allenby
Bridge unless they have special permission to use another route.
Individuals should confirm their departure point upon arrival to avoid
problems.
Entering Israel:
A passport valid for six months from date of entry is highly
recommended. There is no minimum requirement but one's stay must not
exceed the validity remaining on the passport. Also, airlines have been
known to decline boarding if the passport has less than 6 months. A
visa is not required for stays 90 days or less.
Anyone with an official or diplomatic U.S.
passport must obtain a visa before arriving. If you have been denied
entry, experienced problems with your status during a previous trip,
overstayed the duration on a previous visit, or otherwise violated the
terms of your admission to Israel, you need to consult the Israeli
Embassy or nearest Israeli Consulate before trying to go back. If you
seek resident status, you have to get approval from Israeli authorities
before you travel. A 10-year ban from travel to Israel may be imposed
on anyone who has committed immigration violations.
Entering the Gaza Strip: Citizens of the United States are
discouraged from traveling to the Gaza Strip which is under the control
of Hamas, a terrorist organization. American citizens who are already
there are encouraged to leave immediately. The U.S. government does not
permit its personnel to enter the Gaza Strip, making it difficult for
Americans in the Gaza Strip to receive consular assistance.
Entering the West Bank: While U.S. government personnel are
allowed to travel to Bethlehem and Jericho, the Department of State
urges U.S. citizens to be cautious when traveling to the West Bank at
this time. Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem for
additional assistance, if necessary. See the Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza for the latest information concerning travel to the West Bank.
Israel-Jordan Crossings: International crossing points between
Israel and Jordan are the Arava crossing (Wadi al-'Arabah) in the
south, near Eilat; and the Jordan River crossing (Sheikh Hussein
Bridge) in the north, near Beit Shean. American citizens do not need to
get visas before entering Israel at either of these crossing points.
However, they will have to pay fees that can change without notice.
Allenby Bridge (King Hussein Bridge): Travelers who want to
cross the Allenby Bridge between Jordan and the West Bank must obtain
visas ahead of time. (Note: Palestinian Americans with residency status
in the West Bank must enter Jordan via the Allenby Bridge.) Residents
of the West Bank or Gaza seeking to enter the regions from across the
Allenby Bridge should contact the Jordanian authorities for information
concerning special clearance procedures for Palestinian ID holders
before traveling to the bridge.
Procedures for all three crossings into Jordan are subject to frequent changes. Visit the Embassy of Israel web site for the most current visa information.
The United States Government seeks equal treatment and freedom
to travel for all American citizens regardless of national origin or
ethnicity. American citizens who encounter difficulties are encouraged
to contact the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Security Screening: The Israeli Government may require security
and police record checks for entry applicants. If suspected of Arab,
Middle Eastern, or Muslim origin, missionary activity, or political
activism visitors may encounter extended questioning from border
officials. Requesting that Israeli officials refrain from stamping your
passport is also cause for additional questioning or denial of entry.
Israeli-Americans: Any U.S. citizens with dual nationality or
claims to dual nationality will be considered Israeli citizens and
subject to Israeli legal and immigration restrictions. Dual citizens
must enter and leave the country with a valid Israeli passport, and may
not enter Gaza or parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority
control.
Palestinian-Americans: U.S. citizens born in the West Bank or
Gaza, with a Palestine Authority ID number, or with Palestinian parents
or grandparents, may be barred from the Israel without a PA passport.
Only the Allenby crossing from Jordan permits Palestinian-Americans to
leave with only a PA identity card and exit permit as long as they
obtain a visa for Jordan ahead of time.
Regardless of U.S. citizenship, individuals with or eligible
for a PA ID will be treated as a PA resident by Israeli officials. They
may be required to enter and depart the West Bank via the Allenby
Bridge unless they have special permission to use another route.
Individuals should confirm their departure point upon arrival to avoid
problems.
