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IsraelVisa

Student visa A/2 in Israel

A visa for foreign students and yeshiva students travelling to Israel to study at a university, a school or a yeshiva without being Israeli residents. It is processed by the Population and Immigration Authority, and the visa itself gives the right to stay in the country lawfully for the period of study — without the right to work.

Visa term
1 year, renewable.
Work
Working in Israel on a student visa is not allowed.

Source: Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), gov.il

Who can obtain the A/2 visa

Students and yeshiva students

  • A foreign national who is not a resident of Israel.
  • Enrolled at a university, a yeshiva, a primary or secondary school or a Jewish Agency youth institution in Israel.
  • Has a letter of enrolment from the educational institution and proof of payment of the tuition fees.

Family members accompanying the student

  • They are joining a relative who already holds a valid A/2 visa.
  • They file a separate application for a residence permit — not as part of the student's application.
  • If it is approved, they receive temporary status of the same A/2 type.

What it costs

State fee for filing the A/2 visa application195 ILS

Documents to gather

The package is submitted in person — at the local office of the Population and Immigration Authority or at an Israeli mission abroad.

  • Letter of enrolment from the educational institution or yeshiva
  • Proof of payment of the tuition fees
  • Proof of means of subsistence
  • Passport valid for the whole period of the visa
  • A current photograph
  • The original birth certificate
  • On renewal of the visa for another year — a grades sheet

How the process runs

The application is filed in person, without intermediaries.

  1. 1

    Collect the documents

    Prepare the letter of enrolment, proof of payment of the tuition fees, proof of means of subsistence, a passport valid for the whole period of the visa, a photograph and the original birth certificate.

  2. 2

    Complete the application form

    Download, print out and complete the visa application form.

  3. 3

    Submit the documents and pay the fee

    Hand in the form and the package of documents in person at the local office of the Population and Immigration Authority or at an Israeli mission abroad. The fee — 195 shekels — can be paid on submission in cash or by card.

  4. 4

    Receive the A/2 visa

    the visa is issued for up to 1 year

    The authority issues temporary residence status of type A/2 with permission to enter for the whole period of the visa.

Who you can bring with you

Relatives of a student holding an A/2 visa may come on a separate residence permit:

A family member joining a student with a valid A/2 visa
Files their own application in person — with their own photographs, the original birth certificate, a passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the permit) and documents confirming the family relationship and marital status (notarised translation into Hebrew or an apostille, if the document is not in English or Arabic). The fee is 195 shekels. An application for a child under 18 is filed accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A separate application is filed for each applicant with a separate passport.

Renewal and the grace period

The A/2 visa is renewed for the next year of study in the same way — in person at an office of the Population and Immigration Authority or at an Israeli mission — but a grades sheet for the past year is attached to the package of documents in addition.

Frequently asked questions about Student visa A/2

Who can obtain the A/2 student visa?
Foreign nationals who are not residents of Israel and who are travelling to study at a university, a school, a yeshiva or a Jewish Agency youth institution. A letter of enrolment from the educational institution is required.
How much does the A/2 visa cost and how is it paid?
The state fee is 195 new Israeli shekels. It can be paid online through ecom.gov.il (only with a card issued to an Israeli citizen or resident) or when the application is filed in person — in cash or by card.
For how long is the A/2 visa issued and can you work on it?
The visa is issued for up to one year, with permission to enter for that whole period and for multiple entries and exits. Working in Israel on the A/2 student visa is not allowed.
Can the family come with the student?
Yes: a family member joining a student with a valid A/2 visa files their own application for a residence permit — separately from the student's application, in person, with their own documents and the same fee of 195 shekels. If it is approved, they receive temporary status of the same A/2 type.
How is the A/2 visa renewed for the next year of study?
In the same way as the first application — in person at an office of the Population and Immigration Authority or at an Israeli mission — but a grades sheet for the past year must be attached in addition.
Which documents are needed for the first A/2 visa application?
A letter of enrolment from the educational institution or yeshiva, proof of payment of the tuition fees, proof of means of subsistence, a passport valid for the whole period of the visa, a current photograph and the original birth certificate.

Other ways to move to Israel

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Israel.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.