Whether you're joining a Masa program for a few months or planning a longer stay, this page will guide you through the steps to secure your entry approval (ETA) and visa. We are excited to have you join us in Israel!

Applying for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

  1. Who Needs to apply? All Fellows prior to arrival (excluding those with Israeli passports). When to apply? As soon as possible, prior to arrival. Starting in July 2024 the Population and Immigration Authority will begin working with the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) system. The online application must be made as in advance as possible; it is possible and even recommended to fill it out as far in advance as possible (even if you do not yet have a flight ticket). Your ETA will be valid for 2 years.
    1. Apply online well in advance, even without a flight ticket – https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/
    2. Select “Masa program fellow” as the purpose of your visit.
    3. Specify a stay of up to 90 days in Israel.
    • Please Note: If you select “student” (or any other purpose of your visit) or a stay of over 90 days in Israel, your application will be rejected.
    • Within the 90 days of your arrival, you will apply and change your status to your Masa Visa with your program in Israel.
    1. Receive entry approval via email valid for up to two years after successful application.

    Please note that this is NOT a replacement to your Masa Visa for the duration of your program. Once you arrive in Israel, you will apply online for your Masa Visa with your program, you do not need to apply for your Masa Visa prior to arrival.

 

Please note that the ETA approval does not constitute a visa but only approval to board the plane and enter Israel. The process of issuing the visa must be carried out in accordance with our regular guidelines. Without this approval and its presentation before departure to Israel, the airlines will not allow boarding.

Exemptions:

  • A fellow who holds a specific visa issued in advance at the local consulate is exempt from this process and must present the issued visa.
  • A person who holds an Israeli passport is, of course, also exempt from this procedure.

 

Masa Visa (A/2 Visa)

Who Needs to apply? All fellows (excluding Masa Tech and Fast Track Pro)

When to apply? After arrival to Israel with your program.

After arriving to Israel on your ETA entrance visa, you will then apply for your Masa Visa with your program! This process is a change of status request. This process if for those over the age of 18 years old, if you are under 18 you will need to visit your local Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Certain countries also require Law of Return eligibility checks, please see the section below titled “Eligibility Documents Required by Country/Region” for further instructions.

Application Process from within Israel:

  1. The fellow must be in Israel to complete the visa application process.
  2. The visa will be sent as a PDF file to the email address specified in the online form. Don’t forget to check your spam!
  3. The program organizer is responsible for arranging the issuance of the appropriate visa within 45 days of the fellow’s entry.
  4. Submit your application through the Immigration and Population Authority’s website: Visa Application.

 

Digital documents needed to apply for your Masa Visa:

  • Passport photo
  • Photocopy of the fellow's birth certificate
  • Masa program participation letter (located and downloaded in the fellow’s portal) confirming participation in the program

    • Children of Israeli Parents:

    – A child of Israeli parents, when one parent holds an Israeli passport/citizenship, is not entitled to receive a n ETA or Masa visa. The fellow must settle their status before arriving in the country and issue an Israeli identity card/passport at the local consulate.

    – They must also settle the issue of exemption from military service to avoid complications upon arrival/departure from Israel.

    Contact Information for Military Service Exemption: “Meitav”, Planning and Extraction Section, IDF

      – Cell abroad: 03-738-7010, 03-738-7011

      – KMT overseas: 03-7387012

      – Civilian email: infohul@mail.idf.il

    For more details, contact: Jewish Agency for Israel

    B1 Visa for Fast Track and Masa Tech programs

    Who Needs to apply? Masa Tech and Fast Track Pro fellows

    When to apply? Prior to arrival. Please speak with your program prior to applying.

    Masa fellows in the relevant tracks that require the issuance of a work visa must present the same documents as specified for A2 Masa Visa applications, please see list of documents above.

    The work visa is issued for our fellows as eligible under the Law of Return and therefore, no matter which country of origin they come from, the process of eligibility under the Law of Return must be completed with Nativ in FSU countries or Jewish Agency representatives in the rest of world. Please see the section below titled “Eligibility Documents Required by Country/Region”

    During the eligibility check, note either with the Nativ or Jewish Agency representative that this is a Masa fellow applying for a B1 visa.

    volunteer in israel

    Eligibility Documents Required By Country/Region:

    USA/Canada, Western Europe, South Africa, Zimbabwe, UK

    Additional eligibility documents not required. Complete the Masa application form as prompted.

    Latin America (excluding certain countries, please see additional countries in tabs below)

    Additional eligibility documents not required. Complete the Masa application form as prompted.

    Brazil

    Additional eligibility documents not required. Complete the Masa application form as prompted.

    FSU – Former Soviet Union

    Consular approval, Nativ certification, or Israeli Passport. For further questions masainforus@masaisrael.org

    Eastern Europe (including Hungary)

    To confirm your participation in a Masa program, you must complete an eligibility check through the Jewish Agency. For your convenience, here is a link to the application. Please note that this check is solely under the authority of the Jewish Agency, and Masa cannot influence its outcome.

    If you already performed this check in the past and have the approval document, please upload it here.

    Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic

    To confirm your participation in a Masa program, you must complete an eligibility check through the Jewish Agency. For your convenience, here is a link to the application and a list of the required documents. Please note that this check is solely under the authority of the Jewish Agency, and Masa cannot influence its outcome. Additionally, being deemed eligible for participation in a Masa program does not grant eligibility for Aliyah.

    If you already performed this check in the past and have the approval document, please upload it here.

    Maghreb countries, Africa (excl. South Africa & Zimbabwe), Ethiopia, India

    To confirm your participation in a Masa program, you must complete an eligibility check through the Jewish Agency. For your convenience, here is a link to the application and a list of the required documents. Please note that this check is solely under the authority of the Jewish Agency, and Masa cannot influence its outcome. Additionally, being deemed eligible for participation in a Masa program does not grant eligibility for Aliyah.

    If you already performed this check in the past and have the approval document, please upload it here.

    China

    To confirm your participation in a Masa program, you must complete an eligibility check through the Jewish Agency. For your convenience, here is a link to the application and a list of the required documents. Please note that this check is solely under the authority of the Jewish Agency, and Masa cannot influence its outcome. Additionally, being deemed eligible for participation in a Masa program does not grant eligibility for Aliyah.

    If you already performed this check in the past and have the approval document, please upload it here.

     

    After your program ends, your Masa experience continues!

    As Masa Alumni, you are eligible to a 6 month work visa in Israel. Continue reading to learn how to apply and receive your work visa.

    Steps to Request of your Work Visa as a Masa Alumnus:

    🌐To request a status change online: https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/APP4A2VISA@piba.gov.il

    📅You have up to 2 weeks AFTER your program ends to apply for the work visa. It is recommended to start the process 2 weeks BEFORE your program ends. Your work visa letter will be available from 2 weeks before your program end date.

    ❌You must apply for your work visa while you are in Israel. If you leave Israel and then apply for your work visa when you return or apply from outside of Israel, it will be rejected

    Documents Needed For Application:

    📋Your passport (which must be valid for the next two years

    📋 Signed Masa Work Visa Letter. The letter can be found on your Masa  Portal > www.masaisrael.org/fellows-portal.

    📋Photocopy of the fellow’s birth certificate

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