Israel begins offering 10-year multiple-entry visas to Chinese nationals

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Israel has implemented a mutual agreement with China to issue 10-year multiple-entry visitor visas.

What does the change mean? Chinese nationals may now apply for the visas, which allow stays of up to 90 days per visit (no more than 180 days per year). The visa will be valid for up to 10 years but will expire six months before expiration of the traveler’s passport and cannot be transferred to a new passport. Work is prohibited and unauthorized work constitutes a criminal offense.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: B/2 visitor visas.
• Who is affected: Chinese nationals applying for Israeli visitor visas.
• Impact on processing: The average processing time is five business days.
• Business impact: The longer-validity visas will ease business and tourist travel between China and Israel.

Background: China and Israel signed the agreement providing for the longer-validity visas in March. Among the supporting documents, the following will be required:

• A signed statement that the traveler intends to exit on time and that employment is prohibited.
• An invitation letter from an Israeli company or organization.
• A stamped confirmation letter from the traveler’s workplace.
• Bank statements of at least the previous three months (which may be waived if the applicant has a visa from the U.S. or a Schengen country or is a registered resident of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu).

The Israeli consulate also reserves the right to request an interview with the applicant or seek additional documents.

BAL Analysis: The 10-year multiple-entry visas will ease travel for Chinese citizens making frequent business trips to Israel, as they will be able to avoid having to reapply for visas upon each entry.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Israel. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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