BORDER REGULATIONS AND VISAS
Tourists visiting Israel, Jordan, and Egypt must have a passport valid for at least 6 months. While border officials may not always enforce this rule if there are a few months left until the passport expires, travelers should be aware of the risks if they choose to take a chance.
Departure taxes in Israel are calculated in NIS at the start of each year and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
In 2024, the exit taxes for different border crossings are as follows:
- Allenby Bridge: $54 per person (NIS 197 per person)
- Taba, Arava & Sheikh Hussein: $31 per person (NIS 113 per person)
The exit tax at land borders in Jordan is currently JOD10 per person, which is approximately $15 per person. However, please note that this amount is subject to change.
It is important to know that tourists are currently exempt from paying the exit tax if they leave Jordan on the same day they arrive or the day after their arrival. However, if you stay in Jordan for two nights or more, the exit tax will be applicable.
For airport departures in both Israel and Jordan, the departure taxes are paid through the airline ticket.
In regards to entering Israel, some clients may prefer not to have their passports stamped. Since early 2013, the policy in Israel is to issue travelers with a personalized printed card instead of stamping their passports. This card contains a scanned copy of your passport photo, your name, and the date of entry. It is important to keep this card with your passport throughout your stay in Israel as it serves as proof of entry and may be required at Israeli checkpoints. Additionally, you will need to present this card when leaving Israel.
If you do wish to have a stamp in your passport, the authorities will still provide it upon request.
Please be aware that the regulations may change, and we advise you to inform the authorities that you prefer not to have your passport stamped. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide assistance within the immigration terminal or influence Israeli Immigration practices. Based on our experience, it is not common for Israeli Authorities to refrain from stamping passports. However, we have not encountered any incidents where passports were stamped against the wishes of tourists in the past decade. It is important to note that we cannot assume any responsibility if your document does get stamped.
Please note that passports are not stamped at Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Bridge in Jordan. However, passports are stamped at Jordan River Crossing (Sheikh Hussein Bridge) and Rabin Crossing (Arava). If requested, they may stamp a separate piece of paper instead of your passport. Once again, we cannot be held accountable if your document is stamped in any way.
Visas to Israel: certain nationalities require visas in advance to enter Israel. We are able to assist with group visa applications, which require a minimum of 10 people. However, we are unable to apply for individual visas, except for nationals of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
The processing time for Israeli visa applications is at least 12 working days (6 weeks for Muslims) through the Ministry of Interior. We recommend submitting the passport details at least 20 working days in advance (or one month during Jewish Holidays). Please note that visa issuance is at the discretion of the Ministry of Interior, and they may reject all or part of the application without explanation (although this is rare). We are not liable for any visa rejections by the Ministry of Interior.
Please wait for confirmation from us before assuming the visa is approved. The decision to grant a visa lies with the Ministry of Interior in Israel, and they may refuse or delay the process. If you do not receive updates from us, please reach out to inquire about the status of your visa application.
Please be aware that the visa fee for Israel is a processing fee paid to the Ministry of Interior and is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. Entry to Israel is subject to the discretion of the Israeli government, and they reserve the right to refuse entry, although this is rare. We are not liable for any entry refusals to the Holy Land.
Visas for Jordan can be obtained at entry points to the country for $60. Groups of at least 5 people arriving through a local travel agent and staying a minimum of two consecutive nights after arrival may qualify for a free group visa. It is required that groups arrive and depart together, and a passport manifest must be provided in advance for group visa processing.
Please note that groups arriving in Jordan but not staying for two consecutive nights immediately upon arrival will be required to pay the visa fee.
Certain nationalities, typically from less affluent countries, are required to obtain prior approval from the Jordanian Ministry of Interior in order to enter Jordan. Please contact us for further details.
Note that Allenby Bridge or King Hussein Bridge is not an authorized entry point to Jordan. Tourists are unable to obtain Jordan visas at Allenby Bridge. Please reach out to us for more information. It is important to confirm with us that restricted nationalities have obtained permission before their arrival. For additional information on Allenby Bridge, please contact us.
Groups arriving at a port of entry in Jordan, such as the airport, and then crossing the Allenby Bridge or King Hussein Bridge to the Holy Land, have the option to return via Allenby Bridge to Jordan. They can utilize the visa they received in Jordan initially, as long as it is still valid. For instance, tourists who receive a 1-month visa at the airport can re-enter Jordan at Allenby within that 1-month period without having to pay an additional visa fee. It is important to note that this rule only applies when leaving Jordan and re-entering at Allenby.
Visas for Egypt can be obtained upon entry into the country, with a cost of $15 per person (excluding certain exempt nationalities). Some nationalities, particularly those from less affluent countries, are subject to restrictions and must obtain prior approval from the Egyptian Ministry of Interior to enter Egypt, with an additional processing fee. For more details, please reach out to us for further information.
Security delays occasionally occur at the port of entry due to Israeli Authorities. Please note that we cannot be held accountable for these delays or any resulting consequences.
