Travel to UK from Israel

Traveling to UK from Israel

London is famous for being a melting pot of international cultures and communities, with one of the most notable being the Israeli and Jewish community in north London.

There are a significant number of Israeli-born residents in the areas of Hendon and Golders Green, with a significant proportion of these being Jewish. There are additionally over 40 synagogues serving the community, as well as over 30 Jewish schools in the area.

In total, it was estimated that around 21,000 Israeli-born residents were residing in the UK in 2011, and the number is steadily rising. The UK remains a popular destination for Israelis looking to relocate, and the already-established community in London and beyond is a great draw for many.

Israelis benefit from visa-free travel to the UK for short trips of up to 6 months. For longer trips or for purposes other than tourism, however, many travellers will require an appropriate visa to enter the UK.

Short-Term Visits to the UK for Israelis

Most Israelis will be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, business, short-term study and other permitted activities.

You must ensure that you have a full, valid Israeli passport in order to take advantage of this. If you have a provisional passport, or a travel document in lieu of a national passport, you may instead need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa to come to the UK instead.

Israelis may visit the UK as a visitor:

• For tourism
• To see family or friends
• To volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• To pass through the UK to another country
• For certain business activities, such as attending a meeting or interview
• To take part in a school exchange programme
• To do a recreational course of up to 30 days
• To study, do a placement or take an exam
• As an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• For medical reasons

You will need a specific dedicated visa if you wish to carry out any kind of work in the UK, or if you wish to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months.

Long-Term Visits to the UK for Israelis

If you wish to visit the UK or reside in the UK for longer than 6 months, you will have to apply for a dedicated visa to allow you to do so.

The UK has a number of visas to suit a range of specific circumstances. For example, there are dedicated visas if you wish to come and work in the health sector, work in a religious community, or if you wish to join family in the UK.

UK visas all vary in their costs, eligibility criteria and allowances for what you can and can’t do. For this reason, it’s important to read carefully on the details of your chosen visa before you apply for it.

In most cases, you will have to apply for a visa before you travel to the UK. Some visas may also require you to fulfil certain other criteria to travel, such as obtaining a certificate of sponsorship if you are being sponsored by an employer to come and work in the UK.

You will also have to pay an application fee for most UK visas, which range from a couple of hundred pounds to a few thousand.

You will also normally have to pay the immigration health surcharge with a long-term UK visa. This is a fee paid for every year you’ll be in the UK that will allow you to access NHS services.

UK Entry Requirements for Israelis

There are a few important things to remember when travelling to the UK, such as important document guidelines and entry requirements you must follow.

First of all, you are required to have a valid passport or travel document when you come to the UK. It must be valid for the whole duration of your stay.

You must also ensure that you have an approved visa for your stay in the UK if you need one, such as if you plan to work or get married in the UK.

As of 2022, you will not have to take a COVID-19 test or fill in a passenger locator form.

You must also ensure that you comply with UK customs laws and declare any restricted items. These include (but are not limited to) goods that you plan to sell, firearms, drugs or more than €10,000 (or equivalent) in cash.

Note that your identity will be checked and your baggage may be searched at the UK border.

How Can IAS Help?

When travelling to the UK, it’s essential that you’re aware of all of the immigration guidelines and travel restrictions that you may have to adhere to in order to enter the country as safely and smoothly as possible.

If you’re planning on travelling to the UK from Israel or anywhere else in the world, IAS can help.

We are experts in international immigration and travel. We can offer bespoke, personalised legal advice for your situation to ensure that you can get to where you’re going with minimal fuss and hassle.

Whether you’re looking to travel to the UK short term, need help applying for a work or family visa, or need help with travelling back to Israel or onwards to any other part of the world, we can help.

For more information on the services we offer and what we can do for you, reach out to one of our immigration experts today. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online.