Israel on business
Discussion
Looks like I will be travelling to Israel a few times in the next few years.
- What is Israeli immigration view on Arab stamps in the passport? No Saudi stamps though, mostly UAE and Oman. I actually have a nearly new passport at the moment but will pick up more stamps in the near future.
- Can someone reassure me that they won't stamp my passport and instead stamp a card for keeping in my passport? UK.gov says so but recent experiences would be appreciated.
- Am I ok entering on a normal visitor visa for a few days of business?
Thanks.
(I'm a white British citizen by the way in case this makes a difference)
- What is Israeli immigration view on Arab stamps in the passport? No Saudi stamps though, mostly UAE and Oman. I actually have a nearly new passport at the moment but will pick up more stamps in the near future.
- Can someone reassure me that they won't stamp my passport and instead stamp a card for keeping in my passport? UK.gov says so but recent experiences would be appreciated.
- Am I ok entering on a normal visitor visa for a few days of business?
Thanks.
(I'm a white British citizen by the way in case this makes a difference)
My experience is from 2009 so things may have changed since but these are my experiences from a month in Tel Aviv with work.
Don't have any Arab stamps in my passport so can't help you with that one. The immigration guy at Ben Gurion was insistent upon stamping my passport. There is a form you can request to get stamped instead but it's entirely at the discretion of the immigration officer whether you get one, guess the guy I saw was having a bad day! A couple of colleagues who frequently visit the middle east have two passports to avoid any issues.
In terms of visas, didn't need one but the company I was visiting organised a security letter that I had to present to immigration when I arrived and advised against traveling on business without one.
Also, be prepared for a grilling on your way home, I was approached by a security officer at the check in queue on my way home and spent a less than pleasant 20 minutes telling him my entire itinerary, where I'd been and with who etc.
Aside from the airport it was a great place to visit and I wouldn't hesitate to go back, it felt far safer walking around Tel Aviv at night than it does in London!
Don't have any Arab stamps in my passport so can't help you with that one. The immigration guy at Ben Gurion was insistent upon stamping my passport. There is a form you can request to get stamped instead but it's entirely at the discretion of the immigration officer whether you get one, guess the guy I saw was having a bad day! A couple of colleagues who frequently visit the middle east have two passports to avoid any issues.
In terms of visas, didn't need one but the company I was visiting organised a security letter that I had to present to immigration when I arrived and advised against traveling on business without one.
Also, be prepared for a grilling on your way home, I was approached by a security officer at the check in queue on my way home and spent a less than pleasant 20 minutes telling him my entire itinerary, where I'd been and with who etc.
Aside from the airport it was a great place to visit and I wouldn't hesitate to go back, it felt far safer walking around Tel Aviv at night than it does in London!
Went through there last month, although not on business. The entry and exit visa was a little printed card which you need to keep safe... it was required for hotel booking in and car rental.
Very friendly place, loved it, and would go back. Some good bars if you like your local beers.
Very friendly place, loved it, and would go back. Some good bars if you like your local beers.
It's only a problem if you want to visit an Arab country.
Travelling as a lone male on a non-Israeli passport puts red flags in more security boxes at the airport. So the grilling you'll get entering and leaving is standard operating procedure. The questions are designed to cause you an instant anxiety attack if you're up to no good. They are very skilled at this and can work out within a few seconds if you're a problem case.
Then it's in the back room and a session with the Shin Bet chaps.
Travelling as a lone male on a non-Israeli passport puts red flags in more security boxes at the airport. So the grilling you'll get entering and leaving is standard operating procedure. The questions are designed to cause you an instant anxiety attack if you're up to no good. They are very skilled at this and can work out within a few seconds if you're a problem case.
Then it's in the back room and a session with the Shin Bet chaps.
Edited by audidoody on Saturday 9th May 09:42
Went many years ago and got a stamp on my passport. Not bother going to Morocco after but I missed out on a conference in Dubai at the "Sail" hotel which I was gutted about mostly as I wouldn't have needed to do much work whilst out there so basically a free holiday in a top notch hotel.
Nobody warned me about the grilling on the way out of Israel either. Pretty stressful and I was over there working for a defence company so on their side so to speak. Was glad when I was allowed to the check in desk and got given a pass for the business lounge. Felt better after a few cold beers in slightly more relaxed surroundings.
El Al (the national airline) is one of only a few airlines who have anti missile systems fitted to their planes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_Guard
Nobody warned me about the grilling on the way out of Israel either. Pretty stressful and I was over there working for a defence company so on their side so to speak. Was glad when I was allowed to the check in desk and got given a pass for the business lounge. Felt better after a few cold beers in slightly more relaxed surroundings.
El Al (the national airline) is one of only a few airlines who have anti missile systems fitted to their planes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_Guard
If you are travelling with El Al - try to get your company to invest the required time and money to contact the Security people at Ben Gurion to get you 'pre-cleared'. Makes the whole process much better...... Also make sure you keep business cards of all the people you meet in Israel and their phone numbers. In extremis the security people may call them to check your story.
They do spend most of their time on pre-screening....
They do spend most of their time on pre-screening....
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