One of the countries that excel in educating their citizens is Israel. Over 50% of its population have achieved at least a tertiary education, proving that education here is a high priority. If you’re looking to explore an exciting career in technology, Israel is still the place to go. Known as the startup nation, there are plenty of opportunities here for those looking to start their own tech-related business, much like how it is in Silicon Valley.

Besides the academic and career opportunities, Israel offers a vibrant student engagement scene, where you can socialize with people from different cultures. After all, you’ll be staying here for a significantly long time, and having long-time friendships can surely help.

So, here’s how to get a student visa in Israel for your international studies:

What documents do you need to apply for a student visa in Israel?

Make sure to have the following documents before applying for a student visa:

  • Complete and signed application form
  • Two passport-sized photos
  • Certification of acceptance from an accredited university
  • Proof of subsistence for studies and living expenses for the entire study duration
  • A travel document with at least one-year validity if your home country has a diplomatic mission in Israel
  • If your home country does not have a diplomatic mission in Israel, your passport must be valid for your entire study duration, plus six months after your visa expires
  • Application fee payment

How much money do you need for an Israel Student Visa?

The application fee for a student visa in Israel is $54. In addition, you will need to provide proof that you can pay for your entire education and living expenses without needing to work in the country. As such, make sure to prepare for tuition fees which can cost between $4,500 to $17,600 per academic year for bachelor studies. Master’s degrees cost around $3,600 to $30,600 per year. On the other hand, Ph.D. candidates are typically exempted from tuition fees.

Your living expenses depend on your lifestyle, although $940 a month is sufficient to cover it. For accommodation, university dormitories are typically the most affordable, and monthly payments already include the utilities. Make sure to check with your destination university if they offer these. Otherwise, you can consider private housing that ranges from $820 to $1600. There will be monthly utility fees on top of that. These go between $200 to 230. Sharing housing with other university students can also help you save money.

Food can also take a chunk of your monthly budget, as you need to set aside at least $400 for this. If you need to get somewhere, or you need to commute to the university, consider having a $58 monthly transportation budget.

Check Also: Available Programs for International Students

Steps on Applying for a Student Visa in Israel

Here are the steps to apply for a student visa in Israel:

1. Locate an Agency to Assist in your Visa Application

The ideal way to start your visa application is to locate an agency, such as an Israeli embassy, consulate office, or a third-party service authorized to process Israeli student visa applications. You can find information on Israeli diplomatic missions here. Simply select the continent and country from the list and you’ll be redirected to the embassy webpage. There, you will find the contact details, such as phone number, address, and email of the embassy. This way, you can confirm the documents you need to prepare, or if there are supporting requirements you need to provide.

2. Complete Your Application Requirements for A2 Visa

For a student visa in Israel, you will need to apply for A2 Visa. This applies for study purposes in various educational institutions, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and even youth institutions and yeshivot. This visa is valid for one year and grants you multiple entries to the country and exits.

You can download the application form here. Simply refer to the A/2 Student Visa section to get the form.

If you have an A2 visa is not allowed, and it is why you need to prove you have financial means to support your studies and stay in Israel. Some of the documents you need to provide to support this are:

  • Personal bank statements
  • Proof of scholarship if applicable
  • Proof of accommodation

3. Set an Appointment for Consular Services

To submit your complete requirements, you will need to set an appointment with the embassy a few weeks ahead. In fact, you can already do this as you prepare your documents to save time. After all, the embassy does not allow walk-in applicants and has strict security measures in place for embassy visitors.

To set an appointment, refer to the website where you can find the information on the Israeli embassy in your country. Then, select the option “Consular Book An Appointment”. This will direct you to another page that might be in Hebrew. If so, you can use Google Translate or just click the yellow highlight at the top of the page. That will get you to another website where you will need to provide information for your appointment. For example, here is the appointment webpage for the Israeli embassy in Washington, United States.

On the other hand, other countries might require sending an email to set an appointment.

4. Go to the Embassy on your Appointment Date

Bring your documents and application fee on your appointment date for your Israeli student visa application. Ensure that everything is complete and true to the best of your knowledge. Take note that the consul might also ask for additional documents while reviewing your application.

Make sure to follow the security instructions, which might include not bringing in the following items in the representative area:

  • All types of bags
  • Drinks and food
  • Electronic devices and mobile phones

Also, it is ideal to confirm ahead of your appointment the payment option for your application fee. Some diplomatic missions require credit cards or money orders, instead of cash or personal checks.

5. Visa Release

Visa processing varies across countries, so make sure to confirm the processing time with the embassy. It is best to start your application at least one month before your departure to Israel. This way, even if the consul requests additional requirements, you still have ample time to prepare those.

Once your student visa for Israel is available, the embassy will inform you to get your passport in person. In some diplomatic missions, applicants can request to receive their passports by mail. If you live relatively far from the embassy, it is worth confirming this option.

 

We hope that this article on how to apply for a student visa in Israel was helpful! If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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