Tel Aviv, Israel

The following resources are intended for students who plan to study away at NYU Tel Aviv for a semester or full academic year. Students participating in short-term programs should visit our Visa Short-Term Travel page for more information.

Have you been accepted to NYU Tel Aviv? Congratulations! Read on to find out how to get your visa for Tel Aviv. For information on study away details and living recommendations, contact the Office of Global Programs or go to the NYU Tel Aviv page.

If you have questions about your visa application or require assistance completing any application forms, please contact OGS or visit us during Advising Hours at the StudentLink Center.

Find out if you need a visa

NYU Tel Aviv has a special arrangement with the Ministry of Interior Affairs that dictates that students attending NYU Tel Aviv will not obtain student visas to study at NYU Tel Aviv. Most students will travel without applying for a visa before traveling to Israel as a tourist. After arrival, these students will obtain an extension to be able to legally stay in Israel for the full length of the semester.

Some students, identified by the Ministry in Israel, will need to apply for a visa prior to traveling to Israel. Those students will be contacted directly by OGS and given further instruction.

 

How long it takes to get a visa

If you are required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Israel, the earliest time to apply is 3 months (90 days) before the NYU Tel Aviv semester or academic year start date. The average visa processing time is 2-4 weeks. If one or both of your parents are Israeli citizens, please contact us for further instructions about the visa process. Please note that the majority of students, including US and EU citizens, will not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival in Israel.

Prepare before you apply

Step 1

Make sure you have a valid passport.

If you do not have a passport or need to renew yours, use an expedited method to obtain it immediately. OGS will not be able to request the necessary immigration documents for you until you have a valid passport.

Step 2

Submit a copy of the photo & signature pages of your passport to OGS via your Enrollment Portal.

  • Must be a clear scan of the bio page (including the barcode at the bottom) and signature page (passport must be signed) of your passport.
  • Must be a scan, not a photo.
  • Must be valid more than 6 months beyond the end date of your semester or academic year away

Step 3

Receive visa supporting documents from the OGS.

We will provide you with your acceptance letters via email.  

Apply for a visa

Most students will travel without applying for a visa before arriving in Israel as a tourist. After arrival, these students will obtain an extension to be able to legally stay in Israel for the full length of the semester. All students should complete the Application for Extension form (PDF: 121 KB) and return it to OGS. Please refer to the Sample Application for Extension form (PDF: 256 KB) for guidance. 

Some students, identified by the Ministry in Israel, will need to apply for a visa prior to traveling to Israel. Those students will be contacted directly by OGS and given further instruction.