How to Travel Abroad with a Foreign Passport: Everything You Need to Know
If you hold both Israeli citizenship and a foreign passport, you might wonder: “Can I fly from Israel with my foreign passport?” The answer is – not exactly. Israelis are required to exit and enter the country with an Israeli passport, but there are important details to know to avoid travel issues. (The Population Authority updated on 8.12.24 about extending the possibility of exiting and entering Israel with a foreign passport. Full details here.)
🛂 Why Must You Use an Israeli Passport?
Israeli law mandates that every Israeli citizen must enter and exit the country with their Israeli passport – even if they have an American, European, or any other passport. The aim is to maintain an orderly record of entries and exits and to prevent legal or security issues.
✈ When Is the Foreign Passport Relevant?
🔹 Upon Entering a Foreign Destination – In most countries, it’s preferable to present the foreign passport if it allows entry without a visa or under more favorable conditions. 🔹 When Booking Flight Tickets – You can enter the foreign passport number if it better meets the entry requirements of the destination. 🔹 While Staying Abroad – Using the foreign passport can grant you certain rights such as local consular services, special visas, or more favorable work and study conditions.
📌 How to Properly Use Both Passports?
✔ At Ben Gurion Airport: Present your Israeli passport when exiting and arriving in Israel. ✔ In the Destination Country: Use the foreign passport if it offers any advantage. ✔ At International Border Crossings: Always ensure that the stamps in the passport match your entries and exits.
⚠ What Happens If My Israeli Passport Is Expired?
If your Israeli passport has expired, you will need to renew it before you can leave the country. If you discover this at the last minute, there is an option to issue a temporary passport at Ben Gurion Airport, but it is more expensive and best avoided. However, the Population Authority updated on 8.12.24 about extending the possibility of exiting and entering Israel with a foreign passport. Full details here. If you have a valid foreign passport, you can continue using it for exiting and entering Israel until 31.12.25. This is an extension of the existing policy for another year. According to the update, the use of a foreign passport will continue until December 31, 2025. This announcement clarifies the existing policy and updates its validity for continued use of foreign passports under legal conditions. Here It is recommended to check the validity of the foreign passport and stay updated with the Population Authority’s guidelines. Join our WhatsApp group for updates Flight Hunter
