Israel Business Visa - Definitive Guide

People who are looking forward to carrying out their business in the country require a business visa for Israel. With this permit, you can travel to Israel to attend business meetings, exhibitions and conferences, business meetings for a branch of your own company or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands. This falls under the category B2. The validity of the visa is for 3 months and the duration of the stay will be decided by the Border Police. You also must know that a visa does not guarantee you entry through the border. You are to be verified and approved by the Border Police to be allowed to enter the nation.

A business visa for Israel can be issued through an offline process. However, before carrying on with the procedure, it is important that you check if you match the eligibility criteria. These criteria vary as per the type of the permit. You can apply to the Israel VAC as per the jurisdiction. The procedures to obtain an Israel business visa is as follows:

1. You can start by downloading the application form from the website of Israel VAC.
2. Fill out the application form thoroughly. The application form must be typed as handwritten forms are not accepted.
3. You can then collect the documents specified by the VAC.
4. Submit the documents to the Israel VAC as per the jurisdiction.
5. Your documents will then be verified.
6. After the verification, you will be informed if there are other requirements as well.
7. You can then pay the fee and the processing will begin.

You must also note that at the time of filling out the form, you need to make sure that correct information and details are being provided. If any information is found to be false and is untraceable, there are chances that your Israel visa application may get rejected. Such a visa rejection can affect your future applications for permits to not just Israel but other countries as well. Also, the embassy may ask you to attend an interview if required.

At the time of applying for the permit, there are certain eligibility criteria that you need to consider. These criteria differ as per the type of visa. The requirements for a business visa for Israel are given as follows:

You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.

You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Israel.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.

You must be of good character. You may not be granted the visa if -

• You have a history of a criminal conviction.
• You have been deported or banned from another country.
• You are found to be a threat or risk to the country.
• You must have truthful intentions, which means -

• Your documents and the application must be complete.
• Any personal conditions affecting the process must be known to the authorities.
• If applications were made previously, they must be provided at the time of a new application.

There are different kinds of documents required as per the type of the permit. There may be additional requirements that are requested by the embassy afterwards. The common documents  requirements for Israel business visa are as follows:

• An original passport that is valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Travel Itinerary
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Medical Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Adhaar Card photocopy
• PAN Card photocopy
• Approval Letter from the employer (if applicable)
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
  
  

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 55mm x 55 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white or any other light colour.
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time for a business visa for Israel in India varies among the cities. Generally, the processing time required is 5 working days. For fast track applications, the processing is 48 hours for Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore applications and 4 working days for the applications made from Kolkata. There still are other factors that might affect the processing time, which includes - the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others.

The cost of a business visa for Israel will depend on several factors which include the type of visa, whether the visa is single or multiple-entry, or the purpose of the visit. The fee for an Israel business visa for Indian passport holders is to be paid at the time of submission of the form. It is to be paid using a credit or debit card or in cash.

When the documents and the application form are submitted to the Israel VAC -

• The processing of the application shall begin. 
• Your documents will be verified by the Israel VAC officials. 
• If there are any missing documents, you will be informed accordingly. 
• You can submit the documents and the application form and the documents personally, through a representative or through a visa agency. 
• There may be other documents that are to be submitted in case if you are not submitting the form yourself.
• You can wait for the procedure to complete and check the status of your visa in the meantime as well.

In order to check the status of your business visa for Israel, you will have to visit the official website of the Israel Visa Application Centre. You can check the status for your visa by entering the required details. There is an alternative offline method as well. You can contact the VAC for the visa status through email, SMS or calling on the contact number provided.

After the payment of the fee, the processing of the permit will begin. Once you have the permit. There are a few things that you need to consider -

Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• Ensure that you set a reminder for the expiry date of your visa as you won’t legally be permitted to stay in the country for business post your business permit validity.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.

At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified by the Border Police.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.

When you enter Israel

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ or reside as a citizen in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for visa extension in time.
• If you have a change of plans and you need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension or a different kind of visa at least one month prior to the expiry.