Why to get your passport now:
You need a valid passport (expiring no less than 6 months from your trip’s return date).
A pic of your passport or an update if you’re getting a new one needs to be submitted in the Travel section of your application at least 45 days prior to your departure.
If you don’t have a passport yet or need it renewed, here’s how to get it fast:
Renewing it
1. Find it – You will definitely need to find your passport, and make sure to get your hands on it quickly for the following steps.
2. Check the expiration date – On the inside cover of your passport where your picture is find the expiration date at the bottom of the page. Check first to make sure the expiration date is more than 6 months after the return date of your trip.
3. Go to Post Office or Passport Agency: If your trip is more than 2 weeks away, you can go to the local post office! But, if it’s less than 2 weeks away, you’ll need to make an appointment at your official passport agency and get same day service.
Once you arrive for your appointment it’s a quick process— you will be in and out of there within minutes— Phew!!!
4. Make sure to bring these docs:
– Your old passport
– Photo ID (eg. a drivers license)
– A copy of your Photo ID
For more info about the documents you will need, or if you don’t have these docs, click here and choose collect documents.
5. How fast will it arrive? – You have three delivery choices.
- Standard Delivery: Passport will arrive in around 6-8 weeks. This option is the least expensive, but the most timely. (There is only enough time for this option during the summer season, and only if you renew immediately after registering for a trip).
- Expedited Delivery (Recommended): Passport will arrive in around 2-3 weeks. Although this is a little more expensive, we recommend this option to ALL participants! (It may cost in the $150-200 range.) This way you won’t have any worries and will be all set to go!
- Same Day Delivery: Passport is ready within 24 hours. This option should be a last resort! To use same-day service you must call a regional Passport Agency 2 weeks prior to your trip to schedule an appointment. Ask us for a letter if you need help, get stuck and are in this situation.
Applying for a new one
If your trip is more than 2 weeks away, you can go to the local post office! But, if it’s less than 2 weeks away, you’ll need to make an appointment at your official passport agency and get same day service.
Once you arrive for your appointment it’s a quick process— you will be in and out within minutes!
Bring these docs:
– Copy of birth certificate (If you don’t have it, bring any other document of evidence of US citizenship)
– Photo ID (eg. a drivers license)
– A copy of your Photo ID
For more info about the documents you will need, or if you don’t have these, click here and choose collect documents
How fast will it arrive? – You have three delivery choices.
- Standard Delivery: Passport will arrive in around 6-8 weeks. This option is the least expensive, but the most timely. (There is only enough time for this option during the summer season, and even then only if you renew immediately after applying with us.)
- Expedited Delivery (Recommended): Passport will arrive in around 2-3 weeks. Although this is a little more expensive, we recommend this option to ALL participants! (It may cost in the $150-200 range.) This way you won’t have any worries and will be all set to go on this #free adventure with us!
- Same Day Delivery: Passport is ready within 24 hours, and then they expedite the delivery to you. This option should be a last resort! (To use same-day service applicant must call a regional Passport Agency 2 weeks prior to your trip to schedule an appointment. It’s not guaranteed, but you can try. Ask us for a letter if you need help, get stuck and are in this situation. Expect it to cost over $400)
Do I need a Visa?
Most people don’t! Only if you have foreign citizenship do you need a visa, and even then only if you’re flying through specific countries. Here’s the lowdown…
Visa Requirements For Entering Israel
If you plan to travel to Israel on a USA, Canadian, or European Union passport, you do NOT need a visa to enter Israel. If you are traveling on a passport from another country (e.g. Russia, Ukraine, etc.) you may need to obtain a visa to enter Israel (see Israel Visa Requirements). If you are traveling on a “USA Travel Document” in place of a passport, you will need a visa and you should contact your local Israel Consulate immediately. For more information, please contact one of the Regional Israel Consulate Offices.
Visa Requirements For Connection Transit
Some trips have stopovers in a different country. It is important to check if a VISA is required for transit in the connecting country. It is YOUR responsibility to check that you have all proper documents that are needed to avoid issues once you are traveling.
Here are a few links you may want to visit, check the internet for other sites or contact the consulate.
Entry into Canada Entry into Ukraine
Entry into Germany Entry into Spain
Requirements for an Israeli Citizen or Child of Israeli Citizen
If either of your parents are citizens of Israel or if you lived in Israel at some point in the past, you must make sure that your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is clear. If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport. If either of your parents are Israeli citizens, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be worked out prior to your trip even if you do not have an Israeli passport. It is critical that you take care of these matters before you arrive in Israel. If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend that you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israel consulate offices below if you have any questions.
Regional Israeli Consualte Offices:
Atlanta / 404-487-6500 / http://atlanta.mfa.gov.il
Boston / 617-535-0200 / http://www.embassyofisrael.org/boston/index.htm
Chicago / 312-297-4800 / http://www.chicago.mfa.gov.il
Houston / 713-627-0149 / http://houston.mfa.gov.il
Los Angeles / 323-852-5500 / http://www.israeliconsulatela.org/
Miami / 305-925-9400 / http://miami.mfa.gov.il
New York / 212-499-5400 / http://www.israelfm.org/
Philadelphia / 215-546-5556 / http://philadelphia.mfa.gov.il
San Francisco / 415-844-8885 / http://www.embassyofisrael.org/sanfran/index.htm
Washington, DC / 202-364-5527 / http://www.embassyofisrael.org/default.html