Israel Visa Guide for Indians: B/2 Visa, Requirements & Process

Yes. Indian citizens must obtain a B/2 visa before travelling to Israel. India is not on Israel's visa-exempt list, and there is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa-on-arrival facility for Indian passport holders.

Important distinction: The ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) launched on 1 January 2025 is only for citizens of visa-exempt countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and European nations. Indian citizens cannot use the ETA-IL — they require a full B/2 visa. Applying for an ETA-IL as an Indian is a common and costly mistake.

The eVisa-B2 system launched in July 2025 allows Indian citizens to complete the application form online, but physical document submission at an IVP centre is still required. The eVisa-B2 is a full B/2 visa, not a travel authorization.

B/2 Tourist Visa — Most Common

The B/2 tourist visa allows Indian passport holders to visit Israel for tourism, sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or medical tourism.

Duration: Up to 90 days per visit (determined by border control upon arrival)

Validity: Up to 2 years with multiple entries (at consul's discretion); standard is single entry

Fee: See official fee table below (₹4,935 total)

Processing: See processing times table below

Key rules:

• Single entry by default — once you leave Israel, the visa becomes invalid even if it has not expired
• If you plan to visit neighbouring countries (Jordan, Egypt) and return to Israel, request a multiple-entry visa in your application
• You cannot work on a tourist visa — this is a serious violation of Israeli immigration law

B/2 Business Visa

The B/2 business visa covers business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, contract negotiations, and short-term business consultations. It uses the same fee structure and application process as the tourist visa.

Key documents: Invitation letter from Israeli company (on letterhead with company registration number, purpose of visit, duration, contact details), letter from Indian employer on company letterhead.

Same fee: See official fee table below (₹4,935 total)

Important: The B/2 business visa does not permit paid employment. For employment, you need a B/1 work visa.

B/1 Work Visa (Employment)

The B/1 work visa is for Indians employed in Israel in specific sectors including construction, agriculture, and caregiving. The process is employer-driven — a licensed Israeli employer must sponsor your application through the Ministry of Interior.

Visa Fee: Free (Gratis) — only service charge applies

Service Fee: ₹1,985 (Expert category) or ₹4,102 (Caregiver category — includes mandatory video conference fee)

Processing: After Ministry of Interior approval, fast-track takes 10-12 working days

Note: The B/1 Caregiver visa is not available through the Bengaluru IVP centre.

A/2 Student Visa

The A/2 student visa is for Indians admitted to academic institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education in Israel. Students travelling with their spouse (dependents) together do not need prior Ministry of Interior approval, but dependents joining later require an A/4 visa with prior approval.

Free Student Visa: ₹0 visa fee + ₹1,985 service = ₹1,985 total

Payable Student Visa: ₹5,750 visa fee + ₹1,985 service = ₹7,735 total

Fees effective from 5 January 2026 for Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai IVP centres (source: Israel Visa Processing — israelvisa.in/visa-process/visa-fees).

Official Visa Fee Table

Currency note: INR figures are approximate and based on prevailing exchange rates. Visa fees are subject to change without notice — always verify the current amount on the official IVP website (israelvisa.in) before your appointment.

Optional Services

Payment method: Cash (INR) only at IVP centres. All fees are non-refundable regardless of visa outcome.

Core Documents (All Applicants)

• Valid Indian Passport — Minimum 6 months validity from intended date of entry into Israel, minimum 2 blank pages. Include all old passports showing previous travel history
• Online Visa Application Form — Completed at israelvisa.in, printed and signed. Generates a reference number upon submission
• Two Passport Photographs — Recent, colour, white background. Size: 5.5 cm x 5.5 cm (square format — different from the standard rectangular size). Face must occupy 70-80% of the frame. Taken within last 6 months. Not stapled, not heavily edited
• Cover Letter — Personal letter explaining purpose of visit, planned itinerary (mention specific cities: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Dead Sea), ties to India, and intention to return. Maximum 2 pages
• Flight Itinerary — Confirmed return or onward flight booking showing departure and return dates. Do NOT purchase final tickets before visa approval
• Hotel Reservations — Confirmed accommodation for entire stay showing guest name, hotel name, address, and booking dates. Alternatively, a host letter with host's full name, address, phone number, and Israeli ID number
• Travel Health Insurance — Valid for entire duration of stay in Israel. Must cover medical emergencies and hospitalization. Policy must explicitly mention Israel as covered destination
• Bank Statements — Last 3 months of original bank statements, stamped and signed by the bank, showing regular transactions and consistent balance. Recommended minimum balance: ₹1,00,000 for short trips
• Income Tax Returns — Last 2 years of ITR-V or Form 16 as proof of declared income
• Employment Letter / NOC — Letter from employer on company letterhead stating position, salary, and confirming approved leave with return date. This is the single strongest evidence of ties to India
• Salary Slips — Last 3 months (for salaried employees)
• Aadhaar Card — Photocopy

Additional Documents by Visa Type

For Business Visa:

• Invitation letter from Israeli company on letterhead (company name, address, registration number, purpose, duration, contact person)
• Company profile of Indian employer
• Previous business correspondence

For Student Visa:

• Admission letter from recognized Israeli institution
• Proof of institution's recognition by Council for Higher Education
• Fee payment receipts

For Self-Employed Applicants:

• Business registration certificate
• GST returns
• Company bank statements

Step 1: Determine Your Jurisdiction

Israel has 4 IVP centres in India. You must apply at the centre that covers your state of residence:

Important: Applications from New Delhi and Kolkata are assessed by the Embassy of Israel, New Delhi. Applications from Mumbai and Bengaluru are assessed by the Consulate General of Israel, Mumbai. IVP centre staff have no influence over visa outcomes — the decision is solely by the Embassy or Consulate.

Step 2: Complete Online Application

1. Visit israelvisa.in — the exclusive service provider for Israel visas in India
2. Select your visa category (B/2 Tourist, B/2 Business, etc.)
3. Fill the online application form — ensure every detail matches your passport exactly
4. Submit the form to generate your reference number
5. Print the completed application form and sign it

Common mistakes to avoid: Spelling errors in name (must match passport exactly), wrong date format (use DD/MM/YYYY), incomplete address details, missing phone number or email.

Step 3: Book an Appointment

Contact your nearest IVP centre by email to schedule a physical appointment:

• Delhi: delhi@israelvisa.in | 011-41576142
• Mumbai: mumbai@israelvisa.in | 022-49703927
• Bengaluru: bengaluru@israelvisa.in | 080-41251257
• Kolkata: Contact Delhi centre

Subject line format: "Request for appointment for VISA document submission: TEMP/Reference Number"

Walk-in submissions may not be accepted. Book well in advance — centres can be busy during peak season.

Step 4: Gather Documents

Using the checklist above, collect every document. Arrange photocopies of all originals. Ensure bank statements are original with bank stamp and signature. Use a transparent folder and arrange documents in the order listed.

Step 5: Attend IVP Centre Appointment

• Arrive 15 minutes before appointment time
• Security check at entrance (no electronic items allowed inside)
• Submit application form, documents, and passport
• Provide biometrics (photograph and fingerprints)
• Pay visa and service charges in cash (see fee table above)
• Collect acknowledgement receipt with tracking number

Step 6: Track Your Application

Track your application online at israelvisa.in using your reference number. See processing times table above for standard and fast-track timelines.

Status updates:

• "Application Received" — Documents submitted
• "Under Process" — Embassy reviewing
• "Decision Made" — Visa approved or rejected
• "Ready for Collection" — Passport ready for pickup

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

• Personal collection: Visit centre with acknowledgement receipt and ID proof
• Authorized representative: Provide authorization letter + representative's ID + acknowledgement receipt
• Courier delivery: ₹650 additional charge

Check the visa sticker carefully — verify your name, dates, and number of entries.

Recommendation: Apply at least 3-4 weeks before your intended travel date during normal periods. During peak season (October-December for holiday travel), apply 6-8 weeks in advance.

Israel has a visa refusal rate of approximately 10% for Indian applicants (based on industry estimates — official statistics are not publicly published by Israeli authorities). Most rejections are due to preventable issues.

Reapplication: You may reapply after a refusal with a stronger application that directly addresses the rejection reasons. There is no mandatory waiting period, but reapplying without fixing the original issues will likely result in a second rejection.

Financial Documentation:

• Show consistent income over 3-6 months, not sudden deposits
• A steady average balance of ₹1-1.5 lakh for a short trip is the strongest evidence
• Bank statements must be original with bank stamp — online printouts without stamp are not accepted
• Salary credits are your strongest evidence of legitimate income

Cover Letter:

• State exactly why you want to visit Israel
• Mention specific cities (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Dead Sea) by name
• Include a day-by-day itinerary
• Explain your ties to India (employment, family, property)
• Keep it concise — maximum 2 pages

At the IVP Centre:

• Answer truthfully and confidently
• Keep answers brief and to the point
• Carry all original documents
• Don't volunteer unnecessary information

At Ben Gurion Airport (Entry):

• Israeli border control makes the final entry decision — even with a valid visa
• You may be referred to a short secondary security interview
• Stay calm, consistent, and transparent about your plans
• This is standard procedure and not a cause for concern

Based on our work with Indian applicants for Israel visas, here are patterns we observe:

Common Rejection Patterns:

• Bank statements showing sudden large deposits in the month before application — consular officers view this as a red flag for borrowed funds
• Cover letters that mention only "tourism" without naming specific cities, sites, or dates — appears generic and unprepared
• Applicants who fail to disclose previous visa refusals from any country — honesty is critical; undisclosed refusals are worse than the original rejection
• Mismatch between stated purpose of visit and actual travel history — for example, claiming tourism but having previously worked in Israel on a B/1 visa

Processing Trends:

• Delhi centre processes applications slightly faster than Mumbai during peak season, likely due to higher staffing at the Embassy
• eVisa-B2 applications submitted on weekdays before 10 AM tend to process faster than afternoon submissions
• Applications with complete documentation on first submission avoid the 1-2 week delay caused by additional document requests

Seasonal Demand Patterns:

• Peak application period is September-November for December-January holiday travel (Christmas, New Year)
• Second peak is March-May for summer travel (June-August)
• January-February is the quietest period — fastest processing times
• Jewish holiday periods (September-October) may cause embassy closures and delays

Frequently Missing Documents:

• Original bank statements with bank stamp — applicants often submit printed internet banking statements without the mandatory bank stamp and signature
• Cover letter mentioning specific cities — many submit generic letters saying "I want to visit Israel" without naming Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Dead Sea, or other destinations
• Employment letter with return date confirmation — the letter must explicitly state approved leave and return-to-work date

If you plan to visit or work in GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) after Israel, be aware that some countries may deny entry if they detect an Israeli visa or entry stamp in your passport.

Good news: Israel has not stamped passports since 2013. You receive a small paper entry card and a sticker visa (or electronic confirmation), not a passport stamp.

If you still want extra protection: Indian citizens can apply for a second passport through Passport Seva Kendra. Mention "Travel to Israel" as the reason. The second passport is valid for travel to Israel only and helps avoid any potential issues with other countries.

At Ben Gurion Airport:

• Present your passport and visa (sticker or eVisa confirmation) to border control
• You may be asked about your purpose of visit, accommodation, and return flight — answer truthfully and concisely
• Border control will issue a small paper entry card — keep it safe during your stay; you must surrender it when leaving Israel
• Israel does not stamp your passport — entry and exit are recorded electronically

During Your Stay:

• Carry your passport and entry card at all times
• Your visa duration is determined by border control — it may be less than the maximum 90 days
• If you need to extend your stay, apply at the Israel Population and Immigration Authority office at least 7 days before your visa expires

When Leaving Israel:

• Surrender the paper entry card at the airport exit
• Your exit is recorded electronically
• Keep your boarding pass and entry records for future visa applications

Planning your Israel trip? These guides cover specific visa types and related travel topics:

• Israel Tourist Visa — detailed tourist visa requirements, itineraries, and budget breakdown
• Israel Business Visa — business visa requirements, invitation letter details, and 5-year multiple-entry options
• Visa Rejection Reasons — common visa rejection reasons and how to avoid them