Israel has strict entry requirements, and those who do not comply might be deported from the country upon arrival at a border crossing. What are the most common causes for refusal to enter Israel, and what can be done about it? The following article, written by an Israeli immigration lawyer, will explain the matter in depth.
Employees of the Israeli Ministry of Interior’s Border Control Department have the legal authority to approve or deny entry to foreign citizens. Being refused entry to Israel is undoubtedly an unpleasant experience, which includes questioning and deportation. Therefore, it is essential to make the necessary arrangements ahead of time.
If you want to visit Israel but fear problems may arise at the border crossing, be aware that dealing with the Israeli Immigration Authorities without appropriate legal representation can be frustrating. Our law firm specializes in immigration law and will gladly provide you with legal advice and assistance.
Who Is Required to Issue a Tourist Visa in Advance?
Usually, individuals who are able to enter Israel with no issue are Israeli citizens, foreign diplomats, and foreign citizens who were invited to Israel by the Ministry of Interior. In most other situations, Israel requires visitors to obtain a B-2 tourist visa to enter the country, which is valid for up to 3 months.
The process of receiving a tourist visa will depend on the visitor’s country of origin as well as personal circumstances. The Israeli government allows citizens of several countries to visit Israel without obtaining a visa in advance. Some of those countries are the United States, numerous European nations, and other first-world countries which signed a visa exemption treaty with Israel.
However, citizens from other countries, as well as individuals from any country who had issues with Israeli immigration in the past, are required to make arrangements and be approved for a B-2 visa in advance.
Keep in mind that even if you do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time, it is not granted automatically at the airport. You will need to answer some questions regarding your trip before your visa is approved by an Israeli immigration officer.
Questioning at the Airport
When foreign citizens arrive at the border crossing, they are asked a few general questions by the border control employees. If the answers, behavior, or documents raise the suspicion of the personnel, more detailed questions will follow.
In-depth questions regarding the visit to Israel may include the following:
- Have you ever been to Israel before? For how long?
- Do you know anyone in Israel? Who?
- What is the purpose of the visit? How long do you intend to stay and where?
- Were you denied entry to Israel in the past?
- Were you ever deported from Israel?
- Have you ever worked, immigrated to, or requested refuge in Israel?
The visitors will also be expected to provide proof of their claims. For example, present a hotel reservation, two-way plane tickets, detailed schedule of their vacation plans in Israel, or share the contact information of a friend they claim to visit in Israel. If a foreign citizen cannot offer details regarding his or her trip, it will be viewed as a red flag. In some cases, immigration officers will ask to see the mobile phone of the foreign visitor to seek suspicious communication. Note that searching the phone without a person’s consent is not allowed by law. Still, failure to hand over the phone might be considered in itself highly problematic by immigration officials.
Reasons for Refusing Entry to Israel
The border control employees decide if a person will be allowed to enter Israel. Israeli law does not require this decision to be based on proof, but on a “reasonable suspicion”. Here are some of the most common reasons for being denied entry to Israel, as well as the reasoning behind them.
Illegal Workers
In order to work in Israel, a foreign citizen must be issued a work visa. Consequently, immigration officers are especially concerned about individuals entering the country with a tourist visa when in fact, their goal is to work in Israel illegally.
Foreign Partners of Israeli Citizens
Foreign citizens with Israeli partners are considered a significant immigration risk because they might attempt to stay in the country. As a result, Israelis who invite their foreign partners for a visit without making arrangements in advance may encounter difficulties at the border crossing.
Previous problems with Israeli Immigration
A visitor who was deported before, an asylum seeker who left Israel and is attempting to return, or someone who has stayed in the country illegally in the past, will probably not be allowed to enter Israel. A person who has a history of entering and leaving Israel frequently might be considered suspicious.
Security Reasons
Security reasons can refer to a variety of situations in which foreign citizens will not be allowed to enter Israel. For example, if an individual visits countries that are considered hostile to Israel or is active in organizations that work against Israel, such as BDS – he will have to answer some questions on this matter and may not be allowed to cross the border. Those who were born in countries that are considered enemies of Israel, such as Iran, Syria, and Iraq for example, are as likely to face difficulties entering Israel, even if they currently hold an American, Canadian, or European passport.
What Happens After Refusal of Entry to Israel?
In the case of refusal of entry, the foreign citizen must be sent back to their country of origin. Although it is preferred, it is only sometimes possible to get a flight right away. In this situation, the person will be taken to a designated detention facility near Ben Gurion Airport, where he or she will remain until they board a plane. The stay in the detention facility can last hours, days, or even a week. Staying in such an environment can be highly unpleasant.
How to Stop the Deportation Process?
If you are an Israeli citizen and your friends or family members are currently detained at the border crossing, you can try to help by contacting the immigration employees and confirming your guests are innocent tourists. You can also offer to deposit a bank guarantee to ensure your guests will leave Israel on time. However, if you don’t have legal representation, there is no guarantee that your inquiry will be addressed appropriately.
If the decision to refuse entry has already been made, you can submit an urgent appeal to the Court of Appeals and argue that the decision should be overturned. In this situation, it is strongly advised that you reach out to an experienced immigration lawyer who will be able to advise you on the matter.
What Happens After Deportation from Israel
You will have to pay for the extra plane ticket, as well as take care of any financial commitments you have made in Israel, such as reserving a hotel room or visiting tourist attractions.
In addition, deportation from Israel has long-term consequences. If you were deported, entering Israel would be almost impossible even after the immigration restrictions have officially expired. To be allowed entry, you must contact the Border Control Department directly or contact an Israeli friend or family member who can submit an invitation for you to arrive in Israel at the Ministry of Interior.
Either way, this is a bureaucratic, time-consuming procedure requiring a thorough understanding of Israeli law and prior experience dealing with various government authorities. Therefore, it is in your best interests to contact a law firm that specializes in this field.
How Can I Avoid Refusal of Entry to Israel?
The best way to avoid the unpleasantness of being refused entry and deported from Israel is to plan ahead of time. The type of arrangements you will need to make will vary, depending on your personal circumstances.
Issuing an Israeli Tourist Visa
If necessary, and you meet the legal criteria, you can apply for a B-2 visa at the Israeli embassy closest to your place of residence. The embassy will review your application to ensure that your visit is for tourism purposes only.
Inviting Friends and Family Members to Israel
An Israeli citizen who wants to invite friends or family members to Israel has to submit an application to the Ministry of Interior. The inviter must declare the reason and duration of the visit, as well as provide a guarantee that the invitee will depart Israel on time. The application must include documents proving the relationship between the inviter and the invitee, such as birth or marriage certificates.
Inviting Foreign Partners to Israel
Foreign partners of Israelis, whether married or in a long-term relationship, may face difficulties entering Israel, regardless of their country of origin. If you are an Israeli citizen and want to invite a foreign partner for a visit, to avoid the risk of refusal of entry, you need to submit a request to the Ministry of Interior.
If this is a short visit, the Ministry of Interior officials may have some demands to ensure the foreign partner will leave Israel on time, such as a bank guarantee from the Israeli partner.
However, if you want to invite your foreign partner to Israel so you can live together, for example, after a wedding abroad, a separate application must be submitted to the Ministry of Interior. You will have to prove that you lead a shared life together and receive a permit to enter Israel before the foreign partner’s arrival.
Ukrainian Citizens
Due to the war in Ukraine, a Ukrainian citizen who is entitled to Israeli citizenship by way of Aliyah can obtain it through an expedited process. Ukrainian citizen who is not entitled to Israeli citizenship and has no Jewish ancestors but has a first-degree relative who is an Israeli citizen – can be invited to the country and be issued a tourist visa. Ukrainian citizens who have not been invited to Israel may enter the country as tourists as long as border control personnel do not suspect they have come to work or live in Israel.
How Can an Immigration Lawyer Help?
Legal representation can make a significant difference, whether you need it before entering Israel, while you are already here, or after you have been deported. Skilled lawyers can assist you with presenting your case to the Israeli authorities and maximize the chances of a successful outcome.
Our law firm frequently handles clients’ requests to lift travel bans to Israel and provides support in appealing refusal of entry into Israel. If you have been deported, wish to invite foreign citizens to Israel, or have any queries regarding immigration, visas, or other related issues, please contact Joshua Pax’s offices to schedule a consultation.
Interesting Related Article: “What is the fastest immigration process“
