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CHINA: 10 Year Multiple Entry Visa Implementation with Israel
December 14, 2016
In early 2016, Israel and China signed a 10-year Multiple Entry Visa Agreement. This agreement effectively makes Israel the third country, after the United States and Canada, to have such an arrangement with China. The agreement came into effect and was published officially on 1st December 2016.
Traditionally, both Israeli and Chinese business and tourist visitors were required to obtain a single entry visa, with a specific validity. Under the new visa program, Chinese citizens holding an ordinary passport can request a multi-entry B2 visa for a period of up to 10 years at any Israeli Embassy/Consulate within the global community.
A Chinese citizen travelling to Israel with a 10-year visa will be able to stay in Israel for up to 90 consecutive days each visit, and no more than 180 days each year, starting from the day the traveller enters Israeli borders.
Please note that the visa will be valid up to 10 years, however this will expire 6 months before the Chinese passport expires. Also, the visa will not be transferred into a new passport. The new 10-year multiple-entry visas do not allow any productive work to be done in Israel. This includes, but is not limited to: hands-on tools, hands-on jobs, installation work, providing active guidance, inspections, management of work, repair work, supervision, and consultancy.
Senior officials at the Ministry of Interior have clarified upon the announcement of the new agreement, that any unauthorised employment under this visitor visa strictly constitutes a criminal offence.
Applications will have to be submitted at the relevant consulates. In the Israeli consular publication, it was stated that the Consul has the right to request an interview with applicants or further documents can be requested in order to make a comprehensive evaluation of the application.
This new visa agreement is expected to facilitate travel between China and Israel, encourage Chinese business travellers and tourists to visit Israel and save time and money. Please note that the state of Israel has five diplomatic missions in China. These are the Israeli Embassy in Beijing, and the Consulate General in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong.
If you require any additional information regarding the above please contact a member of our team at [email protected].
