hi,
i live in a GCC country and would like to visit israel via tel aviv with the understanding that i cannot have an isarel stamp in my passport. is it possible to fly in and out of tel aviv, not cross any borders whilst in israel, stay for about one week, and NOT get a stamp in my passport?
thanks
Yes it is possible. However it is also possible that the request not to have the passport stamped will not be honoured and your passport will be stamped anyway. If such a stamp will create a major hassle when you get back home, it is not worth taking the risk. However a few Gulf states (e.g. UAE, Oman, Bahrain) don't care too much about Israeli stamps these days, so in those cases it won't be a problem.
Apart from that - what is your nationality ? Many countries issue secondary passport for travel to Israel and if you fly in and out there will be no trace of a visit there in your primary passport when you return home.
I agree with the above suggestion by george5. Try to get a second passport if possible. Many western countries will issue one if you have a reasonable explanation, and your explanation is reasonable. Although you do run a risk, if your work visa in passport for the GCC clearly states something innocent enough like "teacher" or something like that, immigration at Ben Gurion will probably comply and stamp you in on a slip of paper. However, be prepared...you will have some serious explaining to do since you've probably got your passport littered with GCC stamps. Cyprus or Jordan would probably be easy enough transit points.
i did that 2 months ago: in and out of Tel Aviv. i REQUESTED no stamp. they asked why. i told them that i wanted to visit other countries that may not let me in with the stamp, and they complied and did not put a stamp in my passport. but make sure you REQUEST it right away, otherwise, they will stamp your passport and it will be too late for you.
And if you do say you don't want it stamped because of where else you are going it's possible that your passport WILL be stamped out of spite
So basically it's pot luck whether your passport is stamped or not - if you are in a country where your employment is dependent on having a "clean" passport then it's foolish to risk it
yes, it is possible. but make SURE you tell them you don't want a stamp right when you hand over your passport. make sure they know!!! otherwise, the stamp may land in your passport before you know it.
- Julie
i have asked twice not to have my passport stamped. both times it was granted. the key was i was polite and friendly when i asked and they did not stamp my passport. and both times i told them it was because i travel in countries that don't recognize israel. delivery is everything and politeness and kindness go far in this world.