VISA REGIME
|
For holders of diplomatic and official passports: |
Visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days |
|
For holders of national passports and other travel documents: |
Holders of biometric passports do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days for |
|
Note: |
Holders of an emergency travel document in transit require a visa |
ENTRY REGIME FOR CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The obligation to fill out the Israel Entry Form before the flight or the arrival at the Israeli border crossing has been abolished. Anyone who feels sick within 10 days after arriving in Israel are requested to take a PCR test.
There is no need to present a vaccination or recovery certificate. In case of the positive Covid test during the stay in Israel the passengers are obliged to isolate and follow the isolation guidelines. Isolation can be done also in a hotel room.
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
Visa is not required for entry into Israel and stay of up to ninety (90) days. At the border crossing, instead of stamping the passport, the Israeli border authorities issue a residence card which must be kept throughout the stay in the country and shown when leaving Israel. For tourist travel purposes, the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country, and for regulating one’s residence the passport must be valid for at least six months after the visa expiration date. Because of the country’s specific security situation, the Israeli authorities carry out rigorous border control upon travellers’ entry into and exit out of the country ― a detailed questioning about the reasons for stay, contacts made, addresses of residence, and a thorough inspection of luggage. If there are stamps in the passport which indicate an earlier stay in Islamic and Arab countries, this may lead to additional questioning. In some cases, border authorities may request to check the travellers` private e-mails and social media activities.
These checks are carried out in order to prevent the abuse of tourist stay, or to prevent illegal immigration and illicit employment, which has been on the rise in recent years, especially from the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Balkans, including Serbia. During 2019, there were numerous cases of airport detention and deportation of Serbian citizens on suspicion of the accuracy of the stated reasons for their stay in Israel. More detailed information on the types of visas and the conditions of stay are available at: https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/consularservices/pages/visas.aspx.
In accordance with the Israeli regulations on the restrictive movement regime, all foreign nationals (including citizens of the Republic of Serbia) of Palestinian origin undergo a special procedure for approving their passage through the territory of Israel, whether state or occupied/controlled. To enter Israel or the West Bank, they may use only the road crossing Allenby bridge/King Hussein Bridge, on the border with Jordan. Entry through the Ben Gurion International Airport is allowed only with the previously obtained permission of the Ministry of Defence of the State of Israel.
Serbian citizens who, in addition to Serbian, have travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, are obliged to present those documents at Israeli border crossings.
If there is any dilemma in connection with the above, citizens of the Republic of Serbia are advised to contact the Embassy of the State of Israel in Belgrade before travelling (https://embassies.gov.il/beograd/Pages/default.aspx).
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been concluded.
USEFUL INFORMATION
SECURITY SITUATION — Security situation is stable in most parts. However, incidents, including terrorist attacks, are possible in East Jerusalem and in certain parts of the West Bank. With the Israeli army and police being the targets of the attacks, there is a high risk that nearby foreign tourists visiting cultural and historical sites will become victims of the attacks. Given the possible armed clashes, it is advisable to avoid the northern parts along the border with Lebanon and Syria (Golan Heights) as well as areas around the Gaza Strip, from where sporadic rockets are launched towards the surrounding areas in southern Israel. Security checks at checkpoints in Israel are a common practice, as well as when entering all state and public institutions, religious facilities, shopping centres, sports facilities, bus and train stations, hotels and the like, because in the past such locations were targets of terrorist attacks. In light of the above, travellers are advised to monitor the media and avoid areas where there is tension and the risk of an incident and unrest.
TRANSPORT — Most passengers use Ben Gurion International Airport, which is located near Tel Aviv, whereas the other international airport is in the extreme south of the country near Eilat. There are also land border crossings with Egypt and Jordan, but the borders with Lebanon and Syria, with which Israel has no diplomatic relations, are completely closed. There are several border crossings with Palestine ― the West Bank, while entry into the Gaza Strip is allowed in exceptional cases and with a special permit issued by the Israeli authorities. More detailed information on border crossing points and crossing conditions is available at: https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/consularservices/pages/crossing_points.aspx.
Israeli regulations allow the use of foreign licences, including Serbian driver's licences, by persons residing in Israel for up to one year. Conversion of a foreign driver’s licence into an Israeli one is obligatory for all persons who have a temporary stay longer than a year or are already in the procedure of immigrating to Israel.
OTHER INFORMATION — The official languages in Israel are Hebrew and Arabic, and English and Russian are widely used. During the Sabbath, which begins on a Friday at sundown and ends on a Saturday at sundown, public institutions and most shops are closed. At that time, traditionally observant Jews do not use electrical appliances, mobile telephones or drive vehicles. Foreign travellers should keep this in mind if they plan a visit to the neighbourhoods where this group of the population lives.
Contact information
During your stay in Israel, for consular assistance and protection you may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Tel Aviv, at the following telephone number: 00 972 36 04 55 35, and e-mail: srbambil@netvision.net.il.
(Last update on Thursday, 4 February 2021)