Visa-free countries for Israeli citizens in 2021 and basic conditions for visiting them

In 2021, residents of 140 countries can enter Israel without a visa. This ensures a constant flow of tourists and pilgrims, positively affecting the state budget. Israelis can also take advantage of migration benefits and travel to a range of countries without the burden of going to the consulate. Let's take a closer look at visa-free countries for Israeli citizens and the main conditions for visiting them.

Where Israelis don't need a visa

Until 2021, Israeli passport holders were divided into two groups:

• those who received the “darkon” (a light green form issued to residents of the country);
• those who were the owner of the "lesse-pass" (pink form, issued to repatriates and those who do not permanently reside in Israeli territory).

Both documents provided the possibility of visa-free entry to the territory of some countries. But with the “lesse-pass” the list was much shorter. In August 2021, an amendment was made to the legislation and today everyone receives a document of a single sample - "darkon". Those who still use the “lesse-pass” can exchange this passport for a resident one.

The list of countries with visa-free travel with an Israeli passport includes 161 states. Thirty of them stick their visa authorization on arrival at the airport. The geography of these territories is very extensive, they are located in different parts of the planet: Asia, Africa, Europe, America and even Oceania.

Israelis still have to go to the American consulate to get permission to enter the United States; but, unlike the passport of Russia and Ukraine, the Israeli identity card gives the right to freely cross the borders of Schengen, Ireland, Great Britain, South Africa, Canada, Korea and Japan.

American continents

Many travelers are interested in whether Israeli citizens need a visa to America. The situation has remained unchanged for many years.

Israel is one of the leading strategic partners of the United States, but its citizens still have to stand in lines to get an American visa, and the processing time for them is no less than for citizens of, say, Russia or Belarus. But it is worth noting the fact that Israelis are almost always issued a visa for a period of 10 years.

A visa to the United States for Israeli citizens is required due to the fact that the access of American services to the Israeli biometric base is limited.

The table shows a list of countries in South and North America with which a visa-free regime for Israeli citizens is supported:

European countries

The Israeli state maintains a visa-free regime with most of the European powers. Israeli citizens can live in Europe without special permits for three months. These countries include:

• Baltic: Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia.
• Central Europe: Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Austria.
• Dwarf states: Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Malta.
• Balkans: Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, Macedonia, Slovenia.
• Western Europe: Netherlands, Germany, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Belgium.
• Former Soviet republics: Russia, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Moldova, Liechtenstein.
• Southern European countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus.
• Scandinavia: Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Denmark.

But Israelis can travel to Georgia for 360 days without a visa. It is the only state in this part of the world that has signed a similar agreement with the Israeli government.

African continent

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Listing which countries are visa-free for Israeli citizens on African territory, you will have to name 26 states, the period of stay in which ranges from 7 to 90 days. The exact time frames are shown in the table:

In most African countries, Israelis can obtain a visa upon arrival. Its validity period is indicated in the table:

Kenya, Sao Tome and Principe, Cote d'Ivoire, Rwanda and Gabon are issuing an e-visa for 30 days.

Asian countries

For Asia, the list of countries without a visa with a "darkon" consists of 20 states. Of the post-Soviet republics, the simplified migration regime is supported by Armenia (120 days), Kyrgyzstan (30 days).

Other Asian countries are discussed in the table:

To visit Myanmar and India, you will have to obtain an electronic visa for 30 days, and to Nepal - for 150 days.

Island states in Oceania

Visa requirements for Israeli citizens are simplified in some states located in Oceania:

As for Australia and New Zealand, you will need to obtain a visa permit to travel. The Israelis do not have any particular difficulties in this matter. The consulates of both countries willingly issue visas to Israeli citizens with a completed visa application, two photographs, a receipt with paid consular fees. It only takes a few days to process a visa.

Where the Israelis are not allowed to enter

But there is also a whole list of directions where entry is categorically closed for a citizen of the State of Israel. These include the countries of the Arab East. In this region, Israelis can only visit Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco.

If the purpose of the visit is to do business, participate in international conferences or scientific events, you can enter Oman, Bahrain, Qatar with an Israeli passport.

It is strictly forbidden for Israeli citizens to cross the border of Brunei, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, UAE, Malaysia.

Foreigners whose foreign passports contain an Israeli visa or a stamp on crossing its border will not be able to travel to a number of states:

• Lebanon,
• Iran,
• Iraq,
• Kuwait,
• Algeria,
• Afghanistan,
• Libya,
• Syria,
• Pakistan,
• Yemen,
• Sudan,
• Gaza Strip.

To make life easier for tourists, in recent years, the Israeli border service has not stamped the visit to its state in the passport. Instead, a sticker is issued, which is attached to the cover of the document and, after leaving the country, can simply be destroyed.

All designated territories are external enemies of the Israeli state and are included in the "black" list of the Israeli Foreign Ministry.If it is impossible to cancel a visit to these countries, it is necessary to notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the upcoming trip so that there are no difficulties in returning home.

The list of "forbidden" states was compiled back in 1954. During this entire period, it was subject to adjustment only once: in 2007, Iran was added to it. Jordan and Egypt were excluded from the list after the signing of peace treaties with these states.

Rules for the entry of Israelis into the Russian Federation

A visa for Israeli citizens in the Russian Federation in 2021 is not needed. An agreement to maintain a simplified entry procedure between the two states was signed in 2008. You need to pay attention to the following points:

• the entering person must have a general civil passport;
• children must have their own identity card or be entered in the parents' passports;
• the period of stay in the country of the visit should not exceed 90 days in each half of the year;
• if you have a longer trip, you need to apply for a visa of the tourist, work, guest or business category;
• Visa waiver does not entitle you to work, establish business contacts or conduct business.

Crossing the Russian border is allowed on the basis of one of the valid types of passports - "darkon" or "lesse-pass". To pass border control, you must have:

1. A valid passport with a corridor of 6 months.
2. Parental permission if a minor is traveling accompanied by a third person.
3. Completed migration card.

If an Israeli has immediately the passports of both Russia and Israel, at the border control he must present a document of the country in which he is located (that is, the Russian Federation). Rarely, but there are difficulties when leaving the Russian Federation if you do not have a Russian passport with you.

So, whether Israeli citizens need a visa to Russia in 2021 depends on the length of the visit and the purpose of the trip.

Outcomes

Visa-free travel for Israeli citizens is now possible to 142 countries. Without a special stamp in the passport, Israelis will be admitted to Schengen, many countries in South America, Canada, Japan, some countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania. Another part of the states has simplified migration rules, reducing the registration of entry to obtaining an electronic visa.

When traveling without a visa, it is important to adhere to the terms of the permissible stay in the territory of the country of visit.

The list of states to which Israelis are prohibited from visiting includes the countries of the Arab East; practically all of them are Israel's foreign policy enemies.