The working holiday visa is a program that offers the chance to the youngsters of a few world countries to come holidaying in Israel for up to a year and at the same time to work.
Holders of these visas can enjoy great outdoors, classical historical sites and vibrant city life of the sunbaked Tel Aviv.
Though this is a working visa, it is not necessary for the applicant to get a job before they apply for the visa. They can move to Israel first, and then get a job.
The main requirement is that the applicant should be from one of the countries that have a Working Holiday agreement with Israel and have enough money to support themselves throughout the whole stay.
The number of visas granted to each country per year is limited to 200. Therefore, though you may meet all the requirements, if the annual number of visa beneficiaries has been met you will get a visa for next year, and not for a required near period.
Who Can Apply for A/1 Temporary Resident visa?
Only youngsters aged 18–30 coming from one of the countries that have reached a Working Holiday agreement with Israel can apply for a Working Holiday Visa. These countries are:
- Australia
- Austria
- Germany
- South Korea
- New Zealand
Moreover, only those applying for the first time to participate in this program are eligible.
How to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Israel?
If you are an Australian, Austrian, German, South Korean or Kiwi between the age of 18 and 30 years old, you can apply for a holiday visa to work in Israel.
The application procedures are simple and quick, due to the good relations between Israel and these countries. You will still need to follow a few steps in order to be eligible.
Following find the application procedures for Working Holiday Visa listed in order and clearly explained.
When to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa?
The applications for a Working Holiday visa are open throughout all the year. However, you should apply for a Working Holiday Visa to Israel between one to two months prior to the intended date of your trip. Make sure you meet all of the requirements at the time of application.
Where to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa?
To apply for a Working Holiday visa you will need to submit your completed application file at the competent authorities in your country of residence for Israeli visa admission. This could be one of the following:
- The Embassy of Israel
- A Consulate of Israel
- A third-party visa processing center to which Israel has outsourced visa admission
Check with the embassy of Israel in your country of residence for this information before you start the application procedures.
Complete the Visa Application Form
Next, complete the application form for a Working Holiday visa to Israel. The form is available in two languages: English and Hebrew. You can complete it in either language.
Note that the form differs depending on the visa type, therefore make sure you get the right application form for an A/1 Temporary Resident visa to Israel. You can complete the form with your computer and then print it, or with a pen of any other color than black.
The form contains questions on your nationality, name, surname, parents’ full names, your occupation and your intended trip to Israel. Do not forget to attach a photo to the application form in the given space.
Gather the required documents
After the application form, you should continue collecting the rest of the required documents for a Working Holiday visa to Israel.
If you are a national of one of the countries that have a working holiday agreement with Israel, then you will need to submit the following documents to the embassy when applying for a working holiday visa:
- Police clearance. You should obtain a police verification from the police in your country of residence that confirms you have not committed any crime sin the past years. The certificate should be valid for a minimum of three years, but no older than three months
- Bank statements for the last 30 day.
- Return ticket from your country for residence to Israel and back.
- Medical certificate. You should submit a report of medical examinations performed in clinics or hospitals recognized by the Israeli mission in your country of residence. The certification must cover, among others, normal results in tests for tuberculosis, hepatitis and AIDS and the results of blood tests.
- Medical insurance. You will need to obtain insurance for the whole period of your stay in Israel with a minimum coverage of €35,000 ($40,000).
Submit the Required Documents
If you are applying from Australia, you will need to submit these documents to the embassy in Canberra using a registered envelope or via email. The embassy will review and approve your documents. They will then invite you to the Embassy to present original copies of the above documents.
If you are applying from the other countries, you will need to make an appointment with the Israeli authorities in your country of residence by sending them an entry application form and a copy of your passport.
On the day of your appointment, you will have to meet with a consular officer to whom you will submit the required documents. This person will interview you regarding your application, the intention of your trip to Israel and other details in this regard.
Pay the Visa Fee
Depending on your country of residence, the fee for a Working Holiday Visa ranges from €41 to €80, and is subject to change.
If you are from Australia or New Zealand, you will need to pay a fee of. If you are from any of the other countries that have a working holiday program agreement with Israel, you will need to pay a fee of €41.
If you file your application at a visa-processing center you will have to pay an additional service fee, which cannot be higher than the price of the visa itself.
Israel Visa Processing
The processing of a Working Holiday visa for Israel for the applicants from any of the participating countries is 10 working days.
Validity of a Working Holiday Visa
All Working Holiday visas are valid for a maximum of 12 months. Only Austrian nationals can stay for a maximum of six months as the program is based on reciprocity and Austria allows Israelis to work in there for half a year under the same program too.
Note that the first entry to Israel must be made within 3 months of the visa being granted.