Concerns about entering Israel, getting visa, etc.

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melanie1127
melanie1127

I hope I'm being paranoid but I have heard that some foreigners get detained at immigration when entering Israel and then I read this http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-forces-tourist-to-pledge-to-avoid-pro-palestinian-activities-as-condition-for-entry-1.424385 which didn't make me feel any more at ease.

Here is my situation: I am a 31 year old American female and I'll be traveling alone, arriving by land from Jordan but not sure yet which border I will cross through (I think I've read the southern most border is better?)

I will have been in Jordan ~3 weeks as I'm going to volunteer for a bit with someone from helpx.net. Am I going to get questioned why I was in Jordan for so long?

Also I will have no onward bound ticket from Israel as my next stop after Israel will be Egypt and I plan to go by land, and don't even know when I will go as I plan to work in Israel for a few months (well volunteer) also with helpx.net hosts.

I've heard the default tourist visa is normally 3 months but should I outright ask for 3 months, as in fill out on my immigration paperwork that I plan to stay for 3 months? Or should I just put a smaller date as not to arouse suspicion and hope they give me a 3 month visa anyway? I am aware that when volunteering you should just get a tourist visa as getting a work or volunteer visa is a huge hassle.

I do have friends in Israel and I have their contact information in case the border officials are interested in that stuff for whatever reason.

Should I be concerned? Thank you!!!!!!!

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amirico
amirico

As far as anyone can tell, the incident described in the article is the exception, not the rule... If you look at the document and read the entire article it seams that this was just a local initiative by the duty officer at the the border crossing.
Visitors normally get a 3 month tourist visa and there's nothing suspicious about that. If you're volunteering through an official organization then they should be able to sort these things out.
You may be asked about your time in Jordan or about your onward plans but that's nothing to worry about (assuming you have nothing to hide).
Have the contact details of your Israeli friends handy although these are seldom used.
The southern border crossing (Aqaba-Eilat) is the easiest and makes the most sense if you are coming from Petra, Rum or Aqaba, the northern one (near Beit Shean) is also good.

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a1
a1

Don't be concerned. The chances are you'll have a smooth border crossing. Enjoy your trip to Israel. :)

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laketraveller
laketraveller

My hunch is that you will be just fine. Always be honest.

The southern border crossing is usually the easiest to get through, but you may be questioned at any of them.

People enter Israel overland with no onward ticket (due to future overland travel to Egypt) all the time. There's nothing about your situation which would, in and of itself, cause any reason for concern. Just be honest, relaxed and you'll have no problems.

Good luck.

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canayen
canayen

I was a little stressed out when I visited Israel recently as I was going to visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories during my stay. However, I remembered someone's advice on a forum to remain "respectful, relaxed, and honest." As it turned out they only asked me one question! You may get questions, but just hang in there and eventually they'll most likely let you in.Be prepared with the details of your visit but don't volunteer them unless asked.

Enjoy your trip!

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canayen
canayen

About that news article you referred to. That seems almost certainly to be a rogue operation. The officer in question must be feeling like an idiot about now. Horrific English, and it makes a mockery of the border services.

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shuffaluff
shuffaluff

Just answer all questions truthfully, assuming you have nothing to hide, and you'll be OK. The questions might seem silly, irrelevant and repetitive. They are designed to find out whether you're telling the truth. Here's a thread telling you what you might encounter. On the other hand, you might very well breeze through in 10 seconds.

Have a great trip.

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catw
catw

Be prepared to be interrogated at length if you travel alone. It's a question of (bad) luck. Crossing the border can take one hour, just like it can take eight if they have decided to interrogate you. It's unpredictable.

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