Israel is a country with special security measures and passport control upon entry may include questioning, also because entry to Israel from over 100 countries is visa-free and this fact facilitates illegal immigration. Therefore, more than 50 % of travelers arriving in Israel are questioned at passport control. We will offer a number of recommendations that will help you be prepared for the questioning upon arrival in Israel and successfully pass through passport control.
The first and most important thing is to remain calm. Remember that questioning is a standard procedure aimed at ensuring the security of the country.
Before your trip, make a clear plan for your stay in Israel: where you will stay, what places you plan to visit, whether you have acquaintances or relatives in the country. This will help you to quickly and clearly answer the questions of the border control. It is also advisable to prepare documentary proof of your plans – hotel reservation, invitation letter from friends, booked excursions, return ticket, etc.
Answer questions honestly and openly. Lying or attempting to conceal information may arouse suspicion and lead to additional checks. If you have relatives, friends or acquaintances in Israel, even if you do not plan to meet them on this particular visit, tell the passport control officers honestly about their existence. If the passport control officers discover that you have a relationship with an Israeli citizen that you have concealed, this in itself may arouse suspicion and become a reason to deny entry into Israel.
Be polite and respectful when dealing with passport control officers. Do not use raised tones and avoid conflict situations, even if you are provoked.
If you do not speak the language in which the passport control officer is interviewing you, you should ask for an interpreter to help you translate word for word what you have said. If the passport control officers refuse to invite an interpreter and continue the interview in a language you do not fully understand, you should ask for this to be entered into the protocol.
Border control officers may ask you personal questions about your religion, marital status, employment, etc. This is done to determine the purpose of your visit and your intentions regarding your stay in Israel.
Avoid political discussions, Israel is a country with a bitter political environment. Avoid discussing political topics or expressing your opinion on them.
In some cases, passport control officers may ask you to provide access to your cell phone, laptop or other electronic devices. This is done to check for suspicious information and to verify the sincerity of your intentions regarding your stay in Israel.
If you have medical contraindications, special dietary needs or other special requirements, please inform the passport control staff about them. This will help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that you pass through the control comfortably.
If you have a reason to believe that you will be questioned on a certain issue, or that there is a reason for you to be denied entry to Israel, you can contact our office and consult a professional immigration lawyer before entering Israel, and save time and money.
Going through passport control and interrogation when entering Israel may seem like a complicated and not the most pleasant process. However, by following these recommendations and approaching the situation with understanding, you can minimize the risks and make your arrival in the country as comfortable as possible. But if there are still difficulties, it is worth immediately contact a lawyer specializing in immigration issues.