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State of Israel · study

A/2 Student Visa

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Temporary stay permit for students enrolled at Israeli schools, academic institutions, yeshivas or recognised youth institutions. Holders may not work in Israel.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to one year, renewable for the duration of the course of study; verify on the official page.
Processing time
Indicative only - varies by institution and applicant circumstances. Confirm current timelines with PIBA or the relevant Israeli mission.
Government fees
Indicative only - a visa fee applies and is set by PIBA. Verify the current amount on the official gov.il service page.
Typical duration
Up to one year, renewable for the duration of the course of study; verify on the official page.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Population and Immigration Authority ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the A/2 Student Visa for State of Israel is a sponsor-led Israel immigration route. Sources: official State of Israel government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/israel/a2-student-visa#answer

What is the A/2 Student Visa in State of Israel?

A/2 Student Visa is a sponsor-led Israel route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a visa fee applies and is set by PIBA. Verify the current amount on the official gov.il service page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - varies by institution and applicant circumstances. Confirm current timelines with PIBA or the relevant Israeli mission; typical duration is Up to one year, renewable for the duration of the course of study; verify on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Population and Immigration Authority on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The A/2 visa is the entry and stay permit for foreign nationals coming to study in Israel - at elementary and high schools, academic institutions, yeshivas, and Jewish Agency youth institutions. Applicants download and complete the visa application form and submit it in person, with the required documents, to a local Population and Immigration Authority office or an Israeli mission abroad. The visa can be granted for up to one year, allows multiple entries and exits, and is renewable for the duration of studies. A/2 holders are not permitted to work in Israel. The visa is temporary and does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Secure a place

    Obtain acceptance or enrolment confirmation from a recognised Israeli school, academic institution, yeshiva or youth institution.

  2. Complete the application

    Download, print and complete the A/2 student visa application form.

  3. Submit in person

    Submit the form with the required documents in person to a local PIBA office or an Israeli mission abroad.

  4. Receive and renew the A/2 permit

    Receive the A/2 temporary stay permit (up to one year, multiple entry) and renew it for the duration of your studies as needed.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For A/2 Student Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Coordinate enrolment and attendance with the institution. Check the actual work conditions before accepting a job or freelance work.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official A/2 Student Visa instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Israel

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Israel. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official A/2 Student Visa route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for A/2 Student Visa.

    Population and Immigration Authority · verified

Matches these professions

Student

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Frequently asked questions

Can I work in Israel on an A/2 student visa?+

No. Holders of the A/2 student visa are not permitted to work in Israel. The visa is granted solely for the purpose of study at the recognised institution. If you need to work, a different permit is required.

How long is the A/2 student visa valid?+

The A/2 visa can be granted for up to one year and allows multiple entries and exits. It can be renewed for the duration of your studies. Confirm current validity and renewal procedures with the Population and Immigration Authority.

Does studying in Israel on an A/2 student visa lead to permanent residence or citizenship?+

No. The A/2 student visa is temporary and does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship; it is granted for up to a year and renewable for the duration of your studies. Settlement in Israel is generally reached through other routes such as Aliyah under the Law of Return or a marriage-based graduated procedure.

I'm graduating on an A/2 student visa — how do I switch to working in Israel?+

The A/2 student visa does not permit employment, so a different permit is required to work. The main skilled-work route is the B/1 expert work visa, which is employer-sponsored: an Israeli employer must first obtain a permit from the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) before the visa can be issued. Confirm the current process on the official PIBA page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Israel

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Population and Immigration Authority

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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