Temporary protection: Israel
🛰️ Varta monitors 7 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Entry into Israel Law (1952) — B/2 visa; Interior Ministry policy for Ukrainian citizens (non-deportation + non-enforcement of work sanctions; last confirmed decision of 17.12.2025 — until 31.03.2026 [this date has passed] or the war’s end); Law of Return (1950) for people of Jewish descent • there is no single national date — the A/5 visa runs for a year and is renewed
Steps
- 1
Get an ETA-IL before booking flights
Apply at israel-entry.piba.gov.il (ONLY the official gov.il site): questionnaire, passport scan, trip purpose. Fee — 25 shekels, answer within 72 hours, valid up to 2 years. Without an approved ETA-IL the airline may deny boarding.
📍 israel-entry.piba.gov.il (online)⏰ At least 72 hours before departure💳 NIS 25 - 2
Entry: B/2 tourist visa for 90 days
At the border (Ben Gurion airport) you may be questioned about purpose and means; you receive an entry slip allowing up to 90 days. Border officers can refuse entry — carry a return ticket, contacts of family/hosts and answer honestly.
📍 Border crossing (Ben Gurion etc.)💳 Free - 3
Check your permission to stay and work conditions
A B/2 visa normally does not grant employment rights. UNHCR describes an exceptional non-enforcement policy for Ukrainians, but Varta has not confirmed its current end date. Spending 90 days in Israel alone does not establish your right to work today. Confirm your permission’s conditions and whether the exception applies with PIBA before starting work.
📍 Automatic / PIBA announcements⏰ Watch for extension announcements💳 Free - 4
If needed — individual B/2 extension at PIBA
If you need documentary proof of status (or the automatic extension does not apply), book an appointment at your local PIBA bureau: by phone *3450 or via myvisit.com. Apply about 30 days before your permitted stay ends, with the passport, entry slip and reasons (work, study, treatment). An administrative fee applies — confirm the amount with PIBA.
📍 Your local PIBA bureau⏰ ~30 days before the stay expires💳 Administrative fee (confirm with PIBA) - 5
Healthcare: paid Leumit insurance; school for all children
Bituach Leumi (state insurance) is unavailable without residency. Since 01.07.2024 Ukrainians can buy Leumit insurance: ages 0–18 — NIS 140/month, 60+ — NIS 320/month; workers 18–60 — via the employer. Emergency care is provided to everyone. Children enrol in schools regardless of status — contact your municipality’s education department.
📍 Leumit fund / municipality💳 Leumit: NIS 140–320/month depending on age - 6
Jewish descent? Apply for aliyah
The Law of Return covers Jews, their children and grandchildren (and spouses). The procedure can be done in Israel (status change via PIBA/Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) or via the Jewish Agency (Sochnut) and Nativ. Oleh status brings citizenship, a teudat zehut, full healthcare and the absorption basket (sal klita).
📍 PIBA / Ministry of Aliyah / Jewish Agency💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredCheck your passport’s validity and current requirements with PIBA or the embassy before travelling. Holding a passport alone does not establish a right to stay or work under the collective policy.
ETA-IL — electronic travel authorisation
requiredMandatory since 01.01.2025 for visa-exempt countries, including Ukraine. Apply online at israel-entry.piba.gov.il, 25 shekels, answer within 72 hours, valid up to 2 years (or until the passport expires).
Entry slip (blue card instead of a stamp)
requiredIssued at the border; proves your entry date and lawful stay — keep it and photograph it.
Proof of Jewish descent
if availableBirth/marriage certificates up to the third generation (you, parents, grandparents), archival records. Verified by the Israeli consulate/Nativ or the Jewish Agency (Sochnut).
Health insurance
if availablePublic healthcare is unavailable to tourists. Since 01.07.2024 Ukrainians can join a paid Leumit scheme: ages 0–18 — NIS 140/month, 60+ — NIS 320/month, 18–60 — insurance via the employer.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Name in Latin letters exactly as in the passport; number without spaces; upload a clear scan of the photo page.
State the true purpose (tourism/family visit). A false answer is grounds for entry refusal.
An email you can access (the authorisation arrives there), your accommodation/host address.
NIS 25 by card. Do not pay “intermediaries” — copycat sites charge several times more.
Save the PDF confirmation on your phone and print it; the airline checks it at check-in.
❌ Applying via unofficial copycat sites (overpayment and fraud risk) ❌ A typo in the passport number — the authorisation is tied to the passport ❌ Applying less than 72 hours before departure ❌ A new passport after the ETA-IL was issued — a new authorisation is required
Name in Latin letters as in the passport, date of birth, Ukrainian citizenship.
Latest entry date per the slip; attach copies of the slip and the passport photo page.
Honest and specific: inability to return due to the war, work, medical treatment, children’s schooling; attach proof (employer, school or hospital letters).
Your actual address; correspondence is sent there.
Sign, pay the fee at the bureau cashier; keep the receipt and the sticker/certificate issued.
❌ Arriving without an appointment (*3450 / myvisit.com) ❌ A lost entry slip — it is the first thing requested ❌ Filing on the last day of the permitted stay ❌ A vague reason without documentary proof
Benefits
State benefits (Bituach Leumi)
Bituach Leumi and social benefits are for residents and citizens only. B/2 tourist status grants none. The exception — olim after aliyah.
How to apply: Not applicable
Leumit health insurance for Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens in Israel (scheme runs since 01.07.2024); ages 18–60 — via the employer.
How to apply: Via the Leumit fund (leumit.co.il)
School and kindergarten for children
All children regardless of migration status.
How to apply: Education department of your municipality
Absorption basket (sal klita) — only after aliyah
New immigrants under the Law of Return (oleh status).
How to apply: Ministry of Aliyah and Integration after receiving the status
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office)
PIBA — Jerusalem bureau
PIBA — Haifa bureau
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
The B/2 is a dead-end status: it accrues nothing towards permanent residence or citizenship. Long-term routes: 1) aliyah under the Law of Return (Jews, children, grandchildren and spouses) — a full status immediately; 2) a B/1 work visa via an employer (specific sectors, quotas); 3) family reunification with an Israeli citizen/resident (a staged PIBA process); 4) study (A/2 visa). If none applies, be realistic: the collective protection may be wound down once the war ends, and departure would then be required.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Israel
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
No general humanitarian permit; tourist B/2 (ETA-IL); Law of Return for eligible descent.
🎓 Study — Israel
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
No general humanitarian permit; tourist B/2 (ETA-IL); Law of Return for eligible descent.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Israel
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
No general humanitarian permit; tourist B/2 (ETA-IL); Law of Return for eligible descent.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Israel
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
No general humanitarian permit; tourist B/2 (ETA-IL); Law of Return for eligible descent.
🏠 Permanent residence — Israel
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
PIBA — Tel Aviv bureau (population administration office)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
The current end date of the collective stay and employment policy for Ukrainians in Israel has not been confirmed. On 10 September 2026 we could not independently retrieve the PIBA page, while the available UNHCR page still names 31 December 2025. This does not establish today’s conditions or mean that your individual permission has expired. Before extending your stay, starting work or travelling, check your document and confirm current conditions with PIBA (*3450) or the Ukrainian embassy. Sources to check: https://www.gov.il/he/pages/enforcement_ukr_171225 and https://help.unhcr.org/israel/for-ukrainians/ukraine-community-partners/.
Can I stay beyond 90 days?
The current end date of the collective stay and employment policy for Ukrainians in Israel has not been confirmed. On 10 September 2026 we could not independently retrieve the PIBA page, while the available UNHCR page still names 31 December 2025. This does not establish today’s conditions or mean that your individual permission has expired. Before extending your stay, starting work or travelling, check your document and confirm current conditions with PIBA (*3450) or the Ukrainian embassy. Sources to check: https://www.gov.il/he/pages/enforcement_ukr_171225 and https://help.unhcr.org/israel/for-ukrainians/ukraine-community-partners/.
Can I work legally?
A B/2 visa normally does not grant employment rights. UNHCR describes an exceptional non-enforcement policy for Ukrainians, but Varta has not confirmed its current end date. Spending 90 days in Israel alone does not establish your right to work today. Confirm your permission’s conditions and whether the exception applies with PIBA before starting work.
What healthcare can I access?
State insurance (Bituach Leumi) is unavailable to tourists. Since 01.07.2024 Ukrainians can buy Leumit insurance: ages 0–18 — NIS 140/month, 60+ — NIS 320/month, workers 18–60 — via the employer. Emergency hospital care is given to everyone, but bills without insurance are very high.
Can I visit Ukraine and come back?
Before leaving, ask PIBA how travel affects your individual permission and ability to return. Check current passport and entry-authorisation requirements. Do not treat an unconfirmed collective policy as a guarantee of re-entry.
I have a non-biometric passport. Is that a problem?
Check your passport’s validity and current requirements with PIBA or the embassy before travelling. Holding a passport alone does not establish a right to stay or work under the collective policy.
- ETA-IL — офіційний портал в’їзних дозволів (PIBA) ✓
- UNHCR Israel — Entry and Stay (для українців)
- Посольство України в Ізраїлі — колективний захист продовжено ✓
- Kan-Tor & Acco — New Israeli Policy for Ukrainian Nationals
- Times of Israel — Court rules Israel must grant work permits to Ukrainian refugees
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.