If you’re a licensed travel agent with the necessary permit from Israeli Border Control, you can apply for a tourist group visa for inbound tourist groups. This service allows you to bring groups of travelers to Israel for tourism.
Here’s everything you need to know to apply for a tourist group visa to Israel.
Who Can Apply for a Tourist Group Visa?
To apply for a tourist group visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a licensed travel agent.
- Have a permit from the Population and Immigration Authority's Border Control Department.
If you don’t have this permit, see below for instructions on how to apply.
Group criteria
You can apply for a tourist group visa for groups of 10 to 50 participants. Different criteria apply depending on the country of origin of the group. Be sure to check the specific requirements for the group’s country of origin before applying. For details on specific criteria for each country, see the section titled Criteria based on country of origin.
Service fee
- The application fee is NIS 95 per application.
- There is an additional charge of NIS 35 per participant in the group.
How to Apply for a Tourist Group Visa
Here are the steps you need to follow in order to apply for a group tourist visa:
1. Check the background of your tourists
Before applying for the visa, you must conduct background checks on the tourists in the group. This includes verifying the following:
- Address
- Profession
- Marital status
- Age
- Previous visits to other countries
Make sure that all the information is accurate and complete. After completing these checks, if you are confident that the tourists intend to visit and leave Israel as planned, you can proceed with the application.
2. Check criteria based on the country of origin
Different countries have different requirements for tourist group visa applications. Review the criteria based on country of origin to see if any additional conditions apply to the group you are applying for.
3. Apply online
Once the background checks are complete, and you're confident that the group meets all the requirements, you can apply for the tourist group visa online.
4. Meet the application deadlines
- Standard groups: You must apply at least 10 days before the date of the group’s expected arrival date.
- Groups from countries under consideration: For groups coming from countries with higher emigration risks, the application must be submitted 30 days in advance.
Once the application is approved, you will receive the tourist group visa via email.
Important Information to Keep in Mind
When travelling to Israel as a group, there are several key points to keep in mind. Groups with an entry visa will be allowed into Israel based on the following:
- The trip itinerary must be submitted in the application.
- The group must enter Israel together and stay together as a group during their visit.
- The group must also leave Israel together at the end of their stay.
Group Cancellations and Bank Guarantee Information
Before applying for a tourist group visa, you must understand the following consequences of group cancellation and bank guarantee requirements:
- Group cancellations: If more than 80% of the group members cancel their trip, entry to Israel will be denied.
- Bank guarantee forfeiture: If the percentage of participants who fail to leave Israel by the end of the visa period exceeds the set 'balancing point' (for example, 1.64% for the 2 years preceding 2019), the bank guarantee will be forfeited
What Are Countries Under Consideration?
Countries that fall into the “Countries Under Consideration” category are those with high emigration rates or a tendency for nationals to stay illegally in Israel. This includes countries:
- With nationals who tend to apply for asylum in Israel.
- Whose representatives do not cooperate with the Population and Immigration Authority in issuing travel documents.
- Without official representation in Israel.
How to Apply for a Border Control Tourist Group Travel Agent Permit
Travel agencies have to apply to the Border Control Department to obtain a tourist group travel agent permit, authorizing the travel agents to issue tourist group visas.
Eligibility
Israeli citizens or residents are eligible for application as travel agents if they are registered with the requisite authorities. Note: Applications will be rejected if there was a revocation of a tourist group permit during the last year.
Required documents
Here is a list of the required documents for applying for a tourist group visa:
- Letter from a travel agency confirming you as their agent.
- Income tax approval for classification under the tourist industry from the Tax Authority.
- Tax Authority certification verifying your bookkeeping status.
- Recommendation from the Ministry of Tourism confirming your status as a travel agent.
- Evidence of at least three years of experience in inbound group tourism, e.g., agreements with hotels, transportation companies, or tour guides; any other documents that meet the Border Control Department's standards.
You may be asked to submit additional documents.
How to apply
Before applying, it’s advisable to go through the Tourist Group Handling Protocol.
Fill out the application form for a new agent and mail it with the required documents to bg@piba.gov.il.
If you are applying for tourist group visas for groups from Restricted Countries (either for single or multiple groups), make sure to specify this in your application. You can refer to the list of Restricted Countries to confirm eligibility.
The application will be reviewed by Border and Crossing Control. If approved, you should:
- Obtain a smart card.
- Provide a bank guarantee (details below).
- Attend training on Border and Crossing Control.
Country-Specific Application Criteria
You can apply for a visa for groups of 10 to 50 people, as long as the group is from a country that isn't on the list of countries with special requirements.
| Country of origin | Special Criteria |
|---|---|
| China, Malaysia, Indonesia | 5 to 50 participants |
| Restricted countries: Armenia, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. | If you are submitting an application for a group from a restricted country, you must indicate this on the application. |
| Eritrea | You cannot apply for groups from Eritrea. However, in exceptional circumstances, please inquire no less than three months before the planned trip. |
| Countries Under Consideration: Jordan, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia, Morocco, Southern Sudan, Mali, and Mauritania. | Apply at least 30 business days before the group's arrival date. |
Applying for a tourist group visa to Israel requires careful preparation, including conducting background checks on participants, verifying that all criteria are met, and submitting your application on time.
As a licensed travel agent, you must make sure that the group meets the requirements based on their country of origin and follow the submission deadlines. With our step-by-step guide, you can successfully bring a tourist group to Israel for an unforgettable visit.
If you have any questions or need assistance during the application process, consult the official guidelines or reach out to the appropriate authorities.
