An Israel visa is required of citizens of Azerbaijan and is obtained from the Israeli embassy in Baku. The process is short, the fee is small and there is a direct flight from Baku to Tel Aviv. But Israel has its own particularities: an interview at the border, no stamp in the passport and, most importantly, the fact that having an Israeli visa in your passport later closes the door to Iran and to some Arab countries.
In this article we explain how the B/2 tourist visa is obtained, the documents, the timings, the check at Ben Gurion airport and the passport question.
An Israel visa: the basics
| Visa type | B/2 short-stay visitor visa |
| Where to apply | Israeli embassy, Baku, in person |
| Fee | About 44 manats (the equivalent of 21 euros), paid at a bank |
| Processing time | 7–10 working days |
| Visa validity | 3 months, usually single entry |
| Length of stay | Set by the border service, up to 90 days |
| Direct flight | AZAL Baku–Tel Aviv, about 3 hours |
How do you get an Israel visa?
Israel does not give citizens of Azerbaijan an electronic authorisation; the application is made the classic way, at the embassy. An appointment is agreed in advance with the embassy’s consular section and the documents are handed in personally. Once the documents are accepted you are given a receipt for paying the fee at a bank, and the payment is made in manats. The decision usually comes within 7–10 working days, and during holiday periods, Israeli holidays in particular, it takes longer. The official requirements are set out on the Israeli embassy’s page for Azerbaijan.
The documents for an Israel visa
The documents must be in English. When accepting them the consular officer may ask a few questions about the purpose of the trip; this is not an interview, but the answers must match what is written in the application.
The passport question: how an Israel visa affects later trips
Israel does not stamp the passport at the border, it gives you a paper card on entry. But the Israeli visa is stuck into the passport and is visible. Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and several other countries do not admit a person whose passport carries an Israeli visa. For citizens of Azerbaijan this means Iran first of all: people travelling to Tabriz or to Nakhchivan through Iran run into trouble with a passport that has an Israeli visa. The remedy is simple: after your trip to Israel, travel to Iran on a new passport. The Gulf countries, Egypt and Jordan cause no problem in this respect.
Read next: A Jordan visa: at the border, online and how to get it free with the Jordan Pass
What awaits you at Ben Gurion airport?
An Israel visa does not guarantee entry; the final decision is made by the border service. At Ben Gurion a short conversation is held with every passenger: why have you come, where will you be staying, whom do you know here. Some passengers are invited into a separate room and questioned in more detail; this is normal and usually takes up to an hour. It is enough to answer calmly and precisely and to keep your hotel booking and return ticket to hand. The security check on the way out also takes a long time, so get to the airport at least 3 hours before the flight.
How do you fly from Baku to Tel Aviv?
AZAL flies direct between Baku and Tel Aviv and the journey takes about 3 hours. The schedule can change with the situation in the region, so along with Baku–Tel Aviv ticket prices check the current timetable as well. There are transit options via Istanbul too. For those going to the holy sites, Israel tour programmes covering Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth usually run 5–7 days and can be combined with Jordan.
Things to know before the trip
- Safety. The situation in the region changes fast. Before your trip look at the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and check the airline’s schedule.
- Shabbat. From Thursday evening to Saturday evening public transport does not run and the shops close. Build your route around that.
- Money. The shekel. Cards work everywhere.
- Jerusalem. At the holy sites the dress rules are expected to be respected, with shoulders and knees covered.
Frequently asked questions about the Israel visa
Can you go into the Palestinian territories on an Israel visa?
You can go to cities such as Bethlehem and Jericho on an Israeli visa, and no separate document is required, though your passport is asked for at the checkpoints.
Can you get a multiple-entry visa?
It is possible for frequent travellers and for people with relatives there, and the embassy assesses each case separately. For a first application a 3-month single-entry visa is usually given.
In closing
An Israel visa is one of the easy ones to get in Baku: the embassy, 21 euros, 7–10 working days. The two things to know are the conversation at the border and the effect on Iran of the visa that stays in your passport. The Viza.az team helps with filling in the application, preparing the documents and arranging an appointment with the embassy.
You can read more about the Israel destination and the service fees or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. Fees, the embassy’s appointment rules and the flight schedule can change, so look at the official page once more before you apply.
