🇮🇱Israel Visa for Maltese Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

B/1 Work Visa and Work Permit

Authorizes foreign nationals to reside and work in Israel for a specific employer. Required for all foreign nationals taking up paid employment in Israel.

Employer must apply on behalf of the foreign worker. Issued for specific employment sectors: agriculture, caregiving, construction, restaurants, and others under bilateral agreements. Maximum stay varies by sector and agreement. Renewable annually. The B/1 visa is typically tied to a specific employer and work permit quota. Application submitted to the Israel Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA).

B/1 Expert/Specialist Work Visa

Work authorization for high-skilled foreign experts and specialists employed by Israeli companies, particularly in technology and specialized professional fields.

Includes the Fast-Track program for Foreign High-Tech Experts under the Israel Innovation Authority. Short-term track: up to 90 days (expedited, within a few business days for recognized high-tech companies). Long-term track: up to 1 year, extendable for another year. Maximum cumulative stay under long-term working visa for experts: up to 63 months. Expert's salary must be at least double the average wage in Israel. Launched 2018 by the Israel Innovation Authority and PIBA.

A/2 Student Visa

Authorizes foreign nationals to reside in Israel for the purpose of studying at an accredited Israeli educational institution.

Applicant must have an acceptance letter from a recognized Israeli educational institution. A/2 visa is issued for the duration of the academic program and must be renewed annually. Application made at Israeli embassy or consulate in country of residence. Holder may not work in Israel without separate work authorization.

B/5 Investor Visa (US-Israel Treaty Investor)

Temporary residence and work authorization for US citizens investing in and managing a business in Israel under the US-Israel bilateral investment arrangement.

Available ONLY to US citizens and their key employees and immediate family under Israeli Government Resolutions 1528 (March 2014) and 2243 (January 2017). Investor must hold at least 50% stake in the business. Practical guidance suggests minimum investment of approximately NIS 800,000-1,000,000 (~USD 220,000-275,000). Initial period 2 years, renewable annually. Does not provide a direct path to permanent residency or citizenship.

B/2 Innovation Visa (Startup Entrepreneur Visa)

Allows foreign entrepreneurs in the technology sector to develop innovative business ideas in Israel under the support of the Israel Innovation Authority.

Pilot program developed by Israel's Ministry of Economy in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PIBA, and the Israel Innovation Authority. Grants a B/2 innovation visa for up to 2 years. Applicant must be developing an innovative technological concept and receive endorsement from the Israel Innovation Authority. Not a standard tourist B/2 visa.

A/5 Spouse/Family Reunification Visa

Temporary residence visa for foreign nationals who are spouses or first-degree relatives of Israeli citizens or permanent residents, allowing them to reside in Israel during family reunification proceedings.

The family reunification process in Israel typically begins with an A/5 temporary residence visa, which is progressively upgraded to A/5 with work rights, then A/5 with permanent residency process. Full process can take 5+ years before permanent residency status is granted. The Population and Immigration Authority oversees the process.

Diplomatic / Service / Official Passport Visa-Free Entry

Visa-free or visa-gratis entry for holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports representing foreign governments.

Holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports of most countries are exempt from both visa requirements and the ETA-IL. The 2022 Tourist Visa Table details specific exemptions per country per passport type. Some countries' official passport holders still require a visa (notably: USA, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Taiwan on official passports). Diplomatic passport holders of Kenya, Rwanda, and Vietnam are exempt while service/ordinary passport holders of those countries require a visa.

Aliyah / Law of Return Immigration Visa (A/5 Oleh)

Immigration visa for Jewish persons and eligible relatives to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return and receive Israeli citizenship or permanent residence.

Under Israel's Law of Return (1950), every Jewish person and their spouse, children, grandchildren, and their spouses are entitled to immigrate to Israel and receive an Oleh (immigrant) visa. This grants the right to Israeli citizenship. The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration facilitate the process. Not a temporary visa - grants permanent residency and citizenship rights.

A/1 Temporary Residence Visa (Law of Return Eligibles)

Temporary residence for persons eligible for Aliyah under the Right of Return who wish to live and work in Israel without immediately taking up citizenship.

For persons eligible for Aliyah under the Right of Return who hold a foreign passport but prefer temporary residence over immediate citizenship. Grants the right to live and work in Israel and to receive health and national insurance. Typically issued for up to 5 years, after which the holder may naturalize as an Israeli citizen or move to an A/5 visa. Official application fee NIS 195 (~USD 53). Filed in person at a Population and Immigration Authority office. Distinct from the A/5 Oleh immigration visa, which confers immediate citizenship.

A/3 Clergy Visa (Religious Worker)

Temporary residence for clergymen invited by a recognized religious institution in Israel to fill a religious role.

Per the official PIBA visa guide, an A/3 is granted to clergymen coming to fill a religious role at the invitation of a recognized religious institution. It is not granted at the discretion of the Interior Ministry alone: the inviting institution must submit the request inside Israel and approval is forwarded to the consulate. Clergy visiting for any other purpose must apply for a B/2 tourist visa. Typically issued for up to one year and renewable.

A/4 Visa (Family Members of Students or Clergy)

Residence permit for spouses and minor children of A/2 student visa or A/3 clergy visa holders to accompany the primary visa holder in Israel.

Stay permit for the spouse and minor (under 18) children of an A/2 student visa or A/3 clergy visa holder. Does not permit the holder to work in Israel. Valid for up to one year, or until the principal A/2/A/3 holder's visa expires, whichever comes first. Applied for at an Israeli mission in the country of residence, usually after the principal visa has been issued.

B/4 Volunteer Visa

Temporary stay for foreign nationals coming to volunteer with an approved host organization in Israel.

Per the official PIBA visa guide, B/4 visas are granted to volunteers of a kibbutz, moshav or welfare institution; Baha'i volunteers arriving at a centre in Haifa or Acre; and members of youth movements abroad coming to volunteer in Israel. Coordinated by the host organization inside Israel. Does not permit ordinary paid employment.

Working Holiday Visa

Allows young people aged 18-30 from countries with a bilateral working-holiday agreement to travel in Israel for up to a year and take incidental work to help fund the trip.

For citizens aged 18-30 of countries that have signed a working-holiday agreement with Israel (including Australia, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Czech Republic and South Korea). Grants a single 12-month stay from the date of entry, with no option to extend. The trip must be the primary purpose and work only secondary; the holder may not remain at any one job for more than three months. Application must be filed in person (personal interview) in the country of citizenship and not at other Israeli missions; entry to Israel is only via Ben Gurion Airport. Requires a passport valid 18 months, a criminal-record certificate and medical insurance. Consular fee per the MFA fee chart.

B/2 Medical Treatment Visa (Medical Tourism)

Short-stay B/2 visitor visa for foreign nationals travelling to Israel to receive medical treatment.

Medical tourism is an explicit purpose of the B/2 visitor visa per the official PIBA visa guide and the MFA entry-visa service. Nationals of visa-exempt countries travelling for medical treatment enter on an ETA-IL rather than a B/2. The B/2 usually grants single entry and is valid for up to three months from the day it is granted; consular processing takes up to about 5 business days. Does not permit employment in Israel.