Types of Visas and Required Documents
Before leaving the United States you should secure a student visa for the year. JTS’s campus in Israel, Schocken, will issue official letters attesting to your academic status in Israel but in addition, if you are a MASA participant, you should bring documentation with you to the Israeli consulate of your choosing. In the past, our students have had challenges securing student visas; it is best that you be in touch with Rabbi Berkowitz prior to your consulate appointment. By December 31, 2016 you should provide Rabbi Matt Berkowitz with your full legal name and passport number so that letters may be efficiently prepared.
OBTAINING A VISA FOR STUDY IN ISRAEL IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Here is an outline of how to obtain a visa. If you encounter any issues, please let Rabbi Matt Berkowitz know as soon as possible so we can try to help.
GET YOUR VISA IN THE UNITED STATES. Do not wait until you get to Israel. It can take up to a month to process your visa application, so plan accordingly. Though it is possible to get your visa in Israel, the process here has proved far more difficult for students than it has been to simply obtain the visa in the States. You do not need to go to the consulate yourself to get the visa. You can obtain a visa by mailing all of the appropriate materials (in advance).
A/2 Student visa
This visa is granted to those who want to study in Israel in elementary and high schools, academic institutions, yeshivot and youth institutions of the Jewish Agency. The visa is valid for up to one year and for multiple entrances and exits. Recipients of this visa are not permitted to work in Israel.
The visa is granted to students who provide the following:
IN THE US:
· Completed and signed application for a visa to enter Israel
· Two passport pictures
· Certification of acceptance for study at a recognized educational institution in Israel
· Proof that the student has the financial means to pay for his/her studies and sustenance throughout his/her stay in Israel
· A travel document that is valid for at least one year, provided that his country has a diplomatic mission in the State of Israel. If there is no such mission in Israel, the passport must be valid for the entire period of studies and another six months beyond that time
· Payment of the fee, currently $52
In addition to gathering these documents, we recommend that you contact your closest consulate (use this website) before you go to apply in order to ask if they will require any additional documents. In the past, students have been asked to provide:
· A copy of your medical exam
· Proof of health insurance coverage (either coverage from the US or email Rabbi Matt Berkowitz who will send you an application for Harel Insurance)
· Your plane ticket
· Proof that you have paid a deposit for the Year in Israel program. (The JTS Registrar’s office is happy to provide such proof -- please email Linda Levine at [email protected])
· A letter from Rabbi Matt Berkowitz, of JTS attesting to your status as a student. Again, please e-mail Rabbi Berkowitz and this letter will be sent to you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure that the visa is valid from the expected date of entry to Israel and not from date of issue and be sure you receive a "multiple-entry visa".
If you will be receiving a MASA grant or scholarship, be sure to include your letter from them. It may help cut through some of the bureaucracy and possibly you will be exempted from paying the visa fee.
If there is no consulate within driving distance in your region, you may get your student visa by mail. Again, check the consulate website to find your nearest consulate and call to find out what information you need to mail to
IN ISRAEL:
We recommend the Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs website for a list of types of visas and required documents.
B/2 Spouse of a Student Visa
IN THE US:
Spouses and SOs will need to obtain a B/2 Tourist Visa.
If you have a job before you arrive or arrange one after you arrive, for which a work permit is needed, you can arrange this within a few weeks after your arrival. You will need:
(i) a letter from your prospective employer stating that you are needed for the specific position;
(ii) an original letter from your rabbi stating that you are Jewish, including
Bring multiple copies of each, as you will need them for both the Jewish Agency and Ministry of the Interior. Do not state that you will only be in Israel for one year in these letters, because in order to obtain a work permit, you must be “considering aliyah.” Once in Israel, take the letter from your rabbi, the letter from the police department, and the letter from your employer, along with your passport to the Jewish Agency (located on Keren haYesod) in order to obtain another letter from them. Then take all of these, along with a passport photo (Israeli-sized) to the Ministry of the Interior where you will receive your visa. You will need to make an appointment at both the Jewish Agency and Ministry of the Interior offices.
IN ISRAEL:
We recommend the Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs website for a list of types of visas and required documents.
OBTAINING A VISA FOR STUDY IN ISRAEL IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Here is an outline of how to obtain a visa. If you encounter any issues, please let Rabbi Matt Berkowitz know as soon as possible so we can try to help.
GET YOUR VISA IN THE UNITED STATES. Do not wait until you get to Israel. It can take up to a month to process your visa application, so plan accordingly. Though it is possible to get your visa in Israel, the process here has proved far more difficult for students than it has been to simply obtain the visa in the States. You do not need to go to the consulate yourself to get the visa. You can obtain a visa by mailing all of the appropriate materials (in advance).
A/2 Student visa
This visa is granted to those who want to study in Israel in elementary and high schools, academic institutions, yeshivot and youth institutions of the Jewish Agency. The visa is valid for up to one year and for multiple entrances and exits. Recipients of this visa are not permitted to work in Israel.
The visa is granted to students who provide the following:
IN THE US:
· Completed and signed application for a visa to enter Israel
· Two passport pictures
· Certification of acceptance for study at a recognized educational institution in Israel
· Proof that the student has the financial means to pay for his/her studies and sustenance throughout his/her stay in Israel
· A travel document that is valid for at least one year, provided that his country has a diplomatic mission in the State of Israel. If there is no such mission in Israel, the passport must be valid for the entire period of studies and another six months beyond that time
· Payment of the fee, currently $52
In addition to gathering these documents, we recommend that you contact your closest consulate (use this website) before you go to apply in order to ask if they will require any additional documents. In the past, students have been asked to provide:
· A copy of your medical exam
· Proof of health insurance coverage (either coverage from the US or email Rabbi Matt Berkowitz who will send you an application for Harel Insurance)
· Your plane ticket
· Proof that you have paid a deposit for the Year in Israel program. (The JTS Registrar’s office is happy to provide such proof -- please email Linda Levine at [email protected])
· A letter from Rabbi Matt Berkowitz, of JTS attesting to your status as a student. Again, please e-mail Rabbi Berkowitz and this letter will be sent to you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure that the visa is valid from the expected date of entry to Israel and not from date of issue and be sure you receive a "multiple-entry visa".
If you will be receiving a MASA grant or scholarship, be sure to include your letter from them. It may help cut through some of the bureaucracy and possibly you will be exempted from paying the visa fee.
If there is no consulate within driving distance in your region, you may get your student visa by mail. Again, check the consulate website to find your nearest consulate and call to find out what information you need to mail to
IN ISRAEL:
We recommend the Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs website for a list of types of visas and required documents.
B/2 Spouse of a Student Visa
IN THE US:
Spouses and SOs will need to obtain a B/2 Tourist Visa.
If you have a job before you arrive or arrange one after you arrive, for which a work permit is needed, you can arrange this within a few weeks after your arrival. You will need:
(i) a letter from your prospective employer stating that you are needed for the specific position;
(ii) an original letter from your rabbi stating that you are Jewish, including
- Name, location and telephone number of congregation
- Applicant’s full name and parents’ names
- Applicant (and spouse, if applicable) is Jewish and born to a Jewish mother
- Applicant's passport number
Bring multiple copies of each, as you will need them for both the Jewish Agency and Ministry of the Interior. Do not state that you will only be in Israel for one year in these letters, because in order to obtain a work permit, you must be “considering aliyah.” Once in Israel, take the letter from your rabbi, the letter from the police department, and the letter from your employer, along with your passport to the Jewish Agency (located on Keren haYesod) in order to obtain another letter from them. Then take all of these, along with a passport photo (Israeli-sized) to the Ministry of the Interior where you will receive your visa. You will need to make an appointment at both the Jewish Agency and Ministry of the Interior offices.
IN ISRAEL:
We recommend the Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs website for a list of types of visas and required documents.