By Amit Acco, Partner | Update 27 November 2021
7 days after the implementation of the new COVID-19 entry regulation into Israel, we would like to share tips and hints as well as newly released information by the Ministry of Interior:
- Any foreign national planning travel to Israel (for both work or business) must make sure in advance that he or she is eligible for a green pass according to current Israeli Ministry of Health regulations. Upon making the determination, one should take into consideration his or her vaccination or recovery status and dates of getting the last vaccine shot. Please click here for the official government instructions. Please note that these regulations are changing frequently, and thus we recommend checking them frequently before travel.
- Checking and adhering to the health regulation will avoid last-minute ineligibility to travel or even a denial of entry upon arrival to Israel. This information is relevant to all travelers (of all ages), including those who hold a valid multiple entry visa stamped in their passport.
- The Israeli border control advised that according to the new entry regulation effective November 1, 2021, the Entry Statement must be filled in advance ( 48 hours before boarding)*. This requirement applies to ALL foreign nationals. Upon submission of the entry statement form, the traveler’s eligibility for the green pass should be declared together with attaching proof of vaccination:
- Successful application for Green Pass: the individual will receive a green pass by email from the Israeli Ministry of Health. The green pass will need to be presented upon boarding a flight to Israel and upon entry at the airport border control.
- Unsuccessful application for Green Pass (non-eligibility for Green Pass): the individual or his employer will need to submit a special application for an entry permit before the travel. The entry permit will need to be presented upon boarding a flight to Israel and upon entry at the airport border control. additionally, the individual will have to comply with health regulations that may include full quarantine measures upon entry. Example of unsuccessful application (see the red highlighted part):
- The above requirements are in addition to the requirement to Take a PCR test, up to 72 hours before the flight to Israel, and upon arrival to Israel – at the airport.
- The Israeli Ministry of Interior has also clarified to KTA, that upon entry of foreign nationals into Israel, a thorough check is expected to make sure the vaccine declaration made is genuine. We, therefore, recommend having the Green Pass as well as vaccine proofs available upon landing. According to the Ministry, in case an individual entry statement form will be found to be inaccurate, the individual will be denied entry.
UPDATES:
09 November 2021 update: According to officials at Ben Gurion Airport, Since Israel reopened to foreign tourists on November 1, some 300 tourists have been denied entry into the country at Ben Gurion airport – 150 because they failed to comply with the Ministry of Health’s green pass regulations and 150 because the immigration authorities suspected they wanted to remain and work in the country, rather than just visit.
* 11 November 21 update: according to COVID-19 Entry regulation adjustments, any foreign national traveling to Israel must fill out and submit the form within 48 hours before the flight, the earlier the better. Prior to this recent change, the form should have been submitted within 24 hours before the flight.
The reason for the change is the governmental heavy load in adjudicating the inbound traveler’s eligibility for Green Pass, and accordingly to be allowed travel to Israel.
After submission of the entry form, the individual will receive instructions regarding mandatory testing and isolation upon arrival in Israel, which is based on his/her itinerary and health status (if he/she have been vaccinated or recovered)
*26 November 2021 update: Israeli Government announced with immediate effect, that the following countries will be added to the red list of countries: South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini. Non-Israelis who visited red country in the last 14 days, will be denied entry to Israel unless they petition the Exceptions Committee successfully: Online petition form for the Exceptions Committee.
Additional Formal Information:
We recommend reading the specific information regarding personal medical entry regulations, as these changes are rapidly and written on the official government website. Please click here.
Entry to Israel currently requires isolation, short or long, and options to be released. Please click here.
When a question is not answered by regulation (such as a combination between various vaccines or boosters), we recommend contacting the Ministry Of Health for additional information:
How to Receive This Service
You can contact the call center in any one of the following ways:
Telephone: *5400 or +972(0)8-6241010
Fax: 02-5655069
Email: Call.Habriut@moh.health.gov.il (only documents less than 5MB can be attached to the request). Via an online request form on the Ministry of Health website
Call Center Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 8:00-18:00 and Fridays and holidays eves from 8:00-13:00
On Chol Hamoed (Sukkot and Passover) from 8:00-14:00
For more information: israel work visa | relocation services israel
Disclaimer: The COVID-19 information is gathered from various public media sources at the courtesy of KTA to its own clients and website visitors. Due to the rapid, sometimes daily changes in policy, we urge any traveler to get updated at the official government website by clicking here prior to planning or taking any international travel to or from Israel.
