Traveling to Israel: COVID-19 Guidelines

by | Aug 4, 2021 | Tel Aviv Living

 
 
 
 
 
 

As the whole world works hard to recover to the mainstream normalcy that existed before Covid-19, Israel is leading the pack with the most expansive vaccination campaign to date. With the steady return to life without lockdowns and masks, Israelis are beginning to feel like the worst is over and the best is waiting ahead. Israel recognized her national holidays of Memorial Day and Independence Day outdoors with large crowds of citizens who have been fully vaccinated. Even more so, Israel is a sought-after tourist destination, and because of constant airport closures and the current rules of only permitting citizens to enter the country, there are long waiting lists for people trying everything possible to get into the country. Family members have been unable to visit their loved ones in Israel and have been waiting patiently for permission to enter. Thankfully, as the number of confirmed Covid cases significantly decreases, the restrictions have eased as more people are being granted permission to enter Israel. The new guidelines and regulations are constantly changing and being updated. We will do our best to update this blog post regularly so that you can rely on factual information when planning your future trip to Israel.

 
 Here are the latest guidelines on what needs to be done before relatives of Israeli residents come to visit Israel:
 
  • Vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Israel starting May 23rd

  • In the first phase, only individuals traveling in groups will be able to enter the country, as they are considered easier to monitor. The authorities will decide whether to also include regular visitors based on the results of the pilot with groups, the ministries said in a statement.

  • Those who wish to travel to Israel will have to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before boarding the flight, as well as a PCR test and a serological test upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport.

  • A PCR testing facility is already operating at the airport to test all arriving travelers. The results are ready in 14 hours or less.

  • Currently, Israel does not recognize any foreign vaccination or recovery certificate, although the authorities are in negotiations with several countries on the matter. Anyone who is vaccinated abroad is still required to enter quarantine until they undergo a serological test. The requirement of a serological test will be lifted when those agreements are reached, the ministries said.

  • The government has announced that foreigners who have a first-degree relative who is a citizen or a permanent resident of Israel are permitted to enter the country. They must undergo a procedure similar to the one required for vaccinated tourists.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to apply for entry:

  • Applications should be sent in two weeks prior to the flight.

  • Aside from all the documents listed below, every traveler MUST:

  • Take a PCR test within 72 hours of boarding the flight to Israel and must show the results at check-in or they won’t be allowed on the flight.

  • Fill out and print a health declaration form at this link for each traveler before the flight: https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/Quarantine@health.gov.il…

  • Fill out and print the self-isolation declaration for each traveler before the flight at this link: https://govforms.gov.il/…/HouseIsolation@health.gov.il…

  • These last two documents MUST be with you when you arrive at the airport and in Israel.

 

THE NEW RULES AND PROCEDURES:

  • Non-Israelis who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID may travel to Israel to visit a first-degree relative living in Israel as a citizen or a permanent resident. They can travel with their spouse and children assuming that they are vaccinated or recovered from COVID (with the exception of children under one year old).

  • To apply, send an email to the local consulate (example: New York is consular.services@newyork.mfa.gov.il) along with the following documents in one pdf file no larger than 10MB:

  • Photocopy of a passport or ID number of the first-degree relative residing in Israel

  • Photocopy of passports of the applicants

  • Proof of family connection between the applicants and a relative residing in Israel (Official documents such as birth certificate, marriage license, etc with an apostille.)

  • Isolation affidavit – one for each applicant. Available at this link: https://amudim.org/…/Updated-Decleration-April-6-2021.pdf

  • Proof of health insurance valid in Israel throughout the visit with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19

  • Valid plane ticket to Israel

  • Certificate of recovery or vaccination certificate for all who wish to enter Israel, this applies to people of all ages

  • Upon arrival in Israel, you must go into quarantine and take a serological test from an approved lab. This link has a list of approved labs: https://chaimvchessed.com/…/2021/01/Approved-Labs.pdf

  • Once you receive proof of antibodies from the test results, contact the Health Ministry using this link: https://govforms.gov.il/…/QuarantineExceptionExit… and wait for official approval to leave quarantine.

  • Non-Israelis who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID may enter Israel for the WEDDING of their child.

  • To apply, send an email to the local consulate (example: New York is consular.services@newyork.mfa.gov.il) along with the following documents in one pdf file not larger than 10MB:

  • Photocopy of a passport or ID number of the first-degree relative residing in Israel

  • Photocopy of passports of the applicants

  • Proof of family connection between the applicants and a relative residing in Israel (Official documents such as birth certificate, marriage license, etc. with an apostille)

  • Isolation affidavit – one for each applicant. Available at this link: https://amudim.org/…/Updated-Decleration-April-6-2021.pdf

  • Proof of health insurance valid in Israel throughout the visit with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19

  • Valid plane ticket to Israel

  • Proof of the wedding taking place, such as the wedding invitation, the wedding file at the chief rabbinate, or a joint affidavit from the bride and groom signed by a notary

  • Since you aren’t vaccinated or have not recovered from corona you must go into quarantine for 14 days. This can be reduced to 10 days with two negative PCR tests.

  • Vaccinated and unvaccinated parents and siblings of lone soldiers and Bnot Sherut may enter Israel to visit.

  • To apply, send an email to the local consulate (example: New York is consular.services@newyork.mfa.gov.il) along with the following documents in one PDF file:

  • Photocopy of a passport or ID number of the soldier or Bat Sherut

  • Photocopy of passports of the applicants

  • Proof of family connection between the applicants and a relative residing in Israel (Official documents such as birth certificate, marriage license, etc. with an apostille )

  • Isolation affidavit – one for each applicant. Available at this link: https://amudim.org/…/Updated-Decleration-April-6-2021.pdf

  • Proof of health insurance valid in Israel throughout the visit with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19

  • Valid plane ticket to Israel

  • Photocopy of the IDF service card and/or approval of a lone soldier signed by the authorities or approval of Sherut Leumi organization for the volunteer

  • For those who are vaccinated or recovered from corona: Upon arrival in Israel you must go into quarantine and take a serological test from an approved lab. This link has a list of approved labs: https://chaimvchessed.com/…/2021/01/Approved-Labs.pdf

  • Once you receive proof of antibodies from the test results, contact the Health Ministry using this link: https://govforms.gov.il/…/QuarantineExceptionExit… and wait for official approval to leave quarantine.

  • Those who aren’t vaccinated or recovered from corona must go into quarantine for 14 days. This can be reduced to 10 days with two negative PCR tests.

  • Non-Israelis who are not vaccinated or recovered from COVID can enter Israel if:

  • They are married to an Israeli citizen or permanent resident (this includes marriages done out of Israel that have already been registered in Israel) OR

  • They are minor children (under 18) of an Israeli citizen or permanent resident OR

  • They are getting married to an Israeli citizen or permanent resident OR

  • They are a parent of an Israeli minor (under 18) with a custody agreement

  • To apply, send an email to the local consulate (example: New York is consular.services@newyork.mfa.gov.il) along with the following documents in one pdf file:

  • Photocopy of a passport or ID number of the relative being visited in Israel

  • Photocopy of passports of the applicants

  • Proof of family connection between the applicants and a relative residing in Israel (Official documents such as birth certificate, marriage license, etc. with an apostille )

  • Isolation affidavit – one for each applicant. Available at this link: https://amudim.org/…/Updated-Decleration-April-6-2021.pdf

  • Proof of health insurance valid in Israel throughout the visit with a clause clearly stating coverage for COVID-19

  • Valid plane ticket to Israel

  • For a parent visiting a minor child: custody agreement for the minor

  • For a bride or groom: rabbinate wedding file

  • Since you aren’t vaccinated or have not recovered from corona you must go into quarantine for 14 days. This can be reduced to 10 days with two negative PCR tests.

 
  • Funerals

  • Vaccinated and non-vaccinated first-degree mourners and their spouses can attend the funeral and must leave Israel within 24 hours of the arrival. (We are checking the option of remaining in Israel for sitting shiva and how that would work with quarantine requirements. We will update as soon as we know.)

  • To apply, send an email to the local consulate (example: New York is consular.services@newyork.mfa.gov.il) along with the following documents in one pdf file:

  • Photocopy of passport of all applicants

  • Photocopy of passport of the deceased

  • Proof of family connection (birth certificate or another document)

  • Certificate of death and/or burial approval in Israel

  • Valid plane ticket to Israel

  • Businessmen – the exact details have not been worked out yet and will be announced in the coming days

  • PLEASE NOTE: If it is difficult for the travelers to take care of this via email to the consulates, relatives in Israel can go to a branch of the Population and Immigration Authority in Israel to submit all the paperwork and make the request. The following link includes over 300 branches of this authority throughout Israel: https://www.gov.il/he/departments/Bureaus…

 
 
 

Wishing everyone safe travels!

Feel free to reach out with specific questions or inquiries to contact@daonrealestate.com

 Heidi Kravitz made Aliyah from Dallas, Texas. She is a first-year Government student at IDC in Herzliya, and served as a lone soldier in the IDF. Her biggest passion is Israel Advocacy.