Information on Safe Migration
We promote the role of women in society,
revealing her personal potential, professionally
assisting in the realization of civil and social rights
revealing her personal potential, professionally
assisting in the realization of civil and social rights
To let in or not to let in? Lottery with entry to Israel
After Israel lifted visa requirements for Belarusians, many started including the country in their travel itineraries. Tourists are welcome, but there are often cases when they are denied entry into Israel. After a conversation with Interior Ministry officials at the airport, our tourists may be prevented from entering the country during border control and sent back.
Why does this happen? Is it possible to avoid deportation at an Israeli airport? How to avoid trouble and not spoil your vacation? Employees of the hotline on safe travel and stay abroad of the NGO "Club of Business Women" share recommendations with those who are going to Israel.
Why can entry be denied?
The actions of the border service are not directed against tourists, but against illegal migration. More and more often, foreigners come to Israel to stay and work illegally. Therefore, you may be thoroughly checked at any stage — do not rush to wrap your luggage in film and put locks on it. Security officials may ask a variety of questions. The main thing is to answer them truthfully and calmly. Be prepared to explain where Israeli numbers and correspondences in your phone came from.
Border guards will be confused if you vaguely explain the purpose of your visit or are visiting someone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Israel. If there is a suspicion that the purpose of your visit is permanent residence in Israel, you will also be turned away.
If a Belarusian wants to be on the safe side and find out whether his case falls under the restrictions on entry, before the trip he can contact the Israeli embassy in Minsk for advice. But the final decision remains with the migration services.
What's the catch?
A visa-free regime does not mean that a visa is not needed at all. It means that there is no need to arrange it in advance — you will be issued a visa at the airport itself. At the Israeli border, you will receive a small stub stating the type of visa on which you will stay in the country. For example, for tourists, it is type B-2. The stub also has a mark indicating the permitted period of stay in Israel. As a rule, it is 3 months.
However, be careful! When passing through border control, information about the date of arrival and departure (according to the purchased air tickets) is entered into the database. If you decide to change your ticket and the date of departure, be sure to inform the Interior Ministry at your place of residence. Without doing this, you will run into legal problems.
Can't be expanded, can't be skipped
If deported Belarusians are able to prove the unjustified nature of the deportation, they can try to prevent it. At least 3 hours before being expelled from Israel, it is worth applying to the Appeals Tribunal for Foreigners and Illegal Immigrants with an urgent claim and challenging the deportation decision before being expelled from Israel. A lawyer is allowed to visit a tourist who has been denied entry to the detention center. He will sign a power of attorney and prepare documents for filing an appeal.
What documents to take?
- air ticket with dates of entry and exit;
- health insurance valid for the entire period of stay in Israel;
- hotel booking confirmation (if the purpose of the trip is tourism or pilgrimage);
- letter from a medical institution (if the purpose of the trip is treatment);
- documents confirming solvency (it is enough to have cash and a bank card statement with you);
- invitation and copy of the identity document of the inviting person (if the purpose of the trip is to visit Israeli relatives, friends).
If disputes arise, ask the border guards to contact the invitees to confirm their readiness to receive you within the scheduled period. If the invitee is a citizen of the Republic of Belarus without Israeli citizenship or status permanently residing in Israel, then it is better to avoid trips to him.
What to do to avoid being denied entry
1. Before traveling, pay attention to the validity period of the passport. The document must be valid for six months from the date of entry.
2. Think through clear, coordinated answers to all possible questions in advance.
3. Have all the necessary package of documents with you.
4. Expect that the period of stay in the country should not exceed 90 days within six months.
If you still have doubts about traveling to Israel, call the hotline for safe travel and stay abroad for free:
8-801-201-5555, for calls within the Republic of Belarus, from landline phones and mobile operators A1, MTC, life:) - call is free
113, from landline phones (administered by the NGO "Club of Business Women" and the IOO "Gender Perspectives")
You can call us from abroad (pay according to international rates) +375162218888
Or write to our email address bpwbrest@mail.ru.
Anonymity and confidentiality are guaranteed.
