When entering Israel from most countries the student will receive a tourist visa that is valid for three months. This is issued at Ben Gurion Airport, is free, and will be stamped in your passport. This visa is valid for multiple entries so that you can travel outside of Israel and return during the period of validation without having to get a new visa. If you are unsure whether you can receive the tourist visa at Ben Gurion you should contact your local Israeli consulate.
After three months, the visa can be extended for another three-month period at the main office of the Israeli Ministry of Interior. The visa may be extended every three months for up to a year. There is a modest fee for each extension. With a tourist visa and a student visa you do not forfeit your Temporary Resident/New Immigrant rights should you decide to remain in Israel. Although you enter Israel on a Tourist Visa you can reclassify your visa from a Tourist Visa to another type if you wish such as a student visa.
A Student Visa (A-2) is a multiple-entry visa valid for one year during which time you can leave and re-enter Israel a number of times within the period of validation without having to secure a new visa. Student Visas are renewable after one year both in Israel and abroad. Students participating in the semester or year programs who wish to avoid Tourist Visa renewals may chose to enter Israel on an A-2 Visa.
To request a Student Visa before going to Israel you must appear at the Israeli Consulate in your area to apply for this visa. You can reclassify your Tourist Visa in Israel at the Ministry of Interior at 1 Shlomtzion St. in Jerusalem. The following items must be submitted with your application.
Your passport valid for at least two years.
A letter of your acceptance to the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies addressed to the Consulate of Israel.
For students below the age of 18, a notarized declaration of permission to attend the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies signed by both parents (if possible).
The visa application form in duplicate with one photograph attached to each copy. Forms can be obtained from the Israeli Consulate.
Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
Israeli-born students or students whose parents are or were Israeli citizens are generally not permitted to enter Israel on a Tourist Visa but may need Israeli travel documents. They should contact their local Israeli Embassy for information on obtaining an Israeli passport before they travel to Israel.
All banks will cash foreign currency and traveler's checks. State of Israel Bonds may be cashed into Israeli currency at the Bank of Israel and main bank branches. Studetns are advised to open both dollar and shekel accounts in a Jerusalem bank. Students should arrange to habe money sent from abroad by bank transfer or by Western Union money transfer to a postal bank. Postal banks do not charge a commission to cash traveler's checks or exchange foreign currency. Never send cash or personal checks through the mail!!
Upon opening a shekel account, students should apply for a magnetic bank card that allow them to withdraw money from automatic teller machines (ATM). There are a large number of ATMs around Mayanot.
A combination credit/teller card is available. ATM machines that give instructions in English to holders of overseas cards are found throughout the city.
Major City Banks
Bank Discount
121 Jaffa
567-6444
Bank HaPoalim
Malchai Yisrael 1
531-1555
Bank Leumi
29 Strauss
537-3435
First International Bank
10 Hillel Street
675-6818
United Mizrachi Bank
Malchai Yisrael 16
538-4502
Banking hours differ from branch to branch, but many are open Sun.-Fri. 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and have afternoon hours Monday and Thursday 4:00 pm -6:00 pm.
The Bank of Israel licenses moneychangers. You might want to check the rates for foreign exchange at the following braches of Change Point: 40 Jaffa Road, Tel: 625-5572 or 2 Ben Yehuda Road, Tel: 624-0011.
International flights to Israel (except for charters destined for Eilat) arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport, about 25 minutes east of Tel Aviv and 40 minutes west of Jerusalem.
Ben Gurion Flight Information - 972-3-971-0111
Arrival Information in English - 972-3-972-3344
The buses in Israel are very convenient. For information on times of buses, the number for Egged in Jerusalem is 972-2-530-4704 and in Tel Aviv, 972-3-694-8888. For international travel students can make arrangements through Lachish Tours (972-561-2282) or Hoffman Tours (972-50-261-702). It takes approximately an hour to reach the airport. Students can use order car service by calling Nesher the day before flight time at 972-2-623-1231.
Persons holding a tourist visa may drive in Israel with a valid international or foreign driver's license so long as they possess a valid tourist visa. New immigrants with a valid foreign license may drive in Israel for three months from the first entrance into the country. After three months (and within three years) they must acquire an Israeli driver's license.
To obtain an Israeli driver's license based on a valid foreign license, new immigrants must pass a practical driving test. First apply in person to the Ministry of Transportation Licensing Bureau, in Jerusalem located in the Talpiot Industrial Area.
The main Licensing Bureau is currently located at 1 HaTnufah St., Tel; 568-2222. Buses: 14, 21, 30, 48. The hours are Sun.-Thurs. 7:30 am-1:30 pm with afternoon hours on Sunday and Thursday between 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm.
There is also a branch in the Clal Building at 97 Yaffo St., Tel: 622-8290. The hours are Sun.-Thurs. 8:00 am - 2:00 pm with afternoon hours on Tuesday between 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm.
The following items must be brought to the bureau:
Original, valid foreign driver's license, with photocopies of both sides.
Passport and Teudat Oleh
Results of an eye test given by an authorized optometrist. The eye test form is available from most driving schools and many optical shops.
Passport-size photo.
At the Licensing Bureau, immigrants will be given a referral to take to a driving school of their choice, in order to arrange the driving test (note that only driving school vehicles can be used for taking driving tests). Those who pass the test receive their Israeli driver's license on the following day.
Hints for New Drivers in Israel
According to Israeli law, all passengers in automobiles, in both the front and the back seats, must fasten their seat belts at all times.
Weekdays until 7:00 pm in the center of town, in Rehavia, Geulah and in some other downtown neighborhoods, municipal parking cards must be purchased and placed in the window nearest the curb. In these areas, the curb is usually painted blue and white (it is forbidden to park alongside curbs painted red and white) and there is a sign near the corner. Note that persons officially residing in areas with restricted parking may obtain a resident sticker for a motor vehicle officially registered in their name.
The Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies is located in the heart of Jerusalem, making it easy to enjoy the city sites. For touring information and maps, contact the Municipal Information Office for Tourists located at 17 Jaffa Road, Tel. 628-0382 or check out their website at www.infotour.co.il
The following immigrant organization facilitate the integration of newcomers from the same country or origin by providing counseling, general information, legal advise, employment leads, help with visa problems, various bureaucratic matters, consumer issues, etc.
AACI- Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel
972-2-566-1181 Email: info@aaci.org.il
British Olim Society (also for South Africans)
972-2-563-4822
(The consulate on Shchem Road processes visa and passports, and handles all personal matters of US citizens residing in Jerusalem)
It is recommended that students register with the embassy or consulate of their home country. Lost of stolen passports should be reported immediately to one's consulate and the local police.
Victims of a theft, or any form of violence should report the incident to a member of the Mayanot Staff immediately. Alternatively, they should go with a friend to the nearest Police station so that proper action can be taken.
At the Police Station, the student will be asked to file a detailed complaint report.
