Israeli Passports

If you have an Israeli passport and you attempt to enter any of the countries listed above, you will find yourself dealing with their immigration officers. If you really need to visit any of these countries, you need to secure a permit from their government. For example, the Malaysian government requires a clearance permit from the Internal Security Ministry.

Note that some of them, like Iran, do not allow Israeli nationals to set foot on their territories under ANY circumstances. To know what these countries, contact the immigration office near you.

Countries not accepting passports containing Israeli visas or stamps:

In some countries, even if the passport you carry is not Israeli, you may still be denied entry if you have Israeli visas or stamps on it. This applies to the following:

• Bahrain
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

These countries do not allow entry to people proven to have visited Israel. They also do not allow people with any foreign passport with used or unused Israeli visas. To overcome the problems that come with these policies, Israeli border guards will stamp a piece of paper rather than the passport.

Some countries are aware of these exit stamps in passports by Jordan and Egypt at their borders with Israel. They will treat these stamps as proof of visit to the Jewish nation and may block entry based on these stamps. For instance, you may be denied entry to any of the countries listed above because an Egyptian exit stamp is present in your passport indicating you left Egypt at the Israeli border. You may also be denied entry if you attempt to enter Syria from Jordan by land and if your passport doesn’t have any indication how you arrived in Jordan.

Note that this is not something shared by all Arab nations. Some Arab countries, such as Egypt, Oman, Jordan and United Arab Emirates, allow entry with Israeli passport stamps.

Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States may allow you to have two passports to circumvent the restraints regarding Israel if you can explain why you need a second passport when applying.

Enemy States

The Israeli law dictates that Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen are considered “enemy states” or “enemy countries.” If you’re an Israeli citizen, you are not allowed to visit any of these countries unless you have a special permit issued by Israel’s Ministry of Interior. Hence, if you visit this country, whether with an Israeli or a foreign passport, you may be prosecuted upon your return to Israel. Iran has been recently suggested as an addition to the list.

How to apply

Whether you are in Israel or in another country, you should apply for a passport months in advance of your departure to make sure you fill in the dates of your trip in the right place on the application. Generally, it takes about 25 working days for your passport application to be processed and delivered to you.

If you are living outside of Israel, contact the Israeli consulate or embassy nearest you for the complete list of requirements and the step-by-step process. Meanwhile, here are the documents they are likely to ask for:

• three (3) color passport-size recent photographs (facing front, 2” x 2”)
• an accomplished and signed passport application form
• your old passport (if any)
• application processing fee

Note that there are two types of forms available to obtain a passport. Ask for an “application for a new passport” form if you have never had an Israeli passport before or if the last passport you had was issued over 10 years ago. You can also apply over the Internet.

If your last passport is less than 10 years old, obtain an “application for passport renewal” form. Complete the form and submit it together with the same requirements listed above. This process cannot be done on the Internet. You may download an application form but you’ll have to print it out and submit it at the Immigration office or consulate.

Additional Information

• Lines are usually long at passport offices from January to July. To avoid the crowds and waiting times, you might want to apply through a nearby post office or clerk of court that accepts Israeli passport applications.
• Losing your passport can bring you a lot of worries and troubles. It is especially scary if is lost or stolen in a foreign country. To avoid all the hassles associated with it, it is important to carry your passport with you and keep it in a secure place. Better yet, make two photocopies of your passport’s photo ID page. Leave one copy at home with your family or with your friends. Keep the other copy buried in your checked luggage. This will help if you need your passport replaced.
• If you’re a former national of Israel with a foreign passport, you should have written proof that you have given up your Israeli identity or nationality. Otherwise, immigration officers may require you to get a new Israeli passport.