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On March 2nd, 2026, the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) announced a new round of digital visa extensions, applying to many visa holders in Israel – including thousands of international couples in the gradual process.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this latest extension, issued in response to the Israel-Iran conflict. This marks the fifth major visa extension in recent years, following a similar extension round during the 12-day war with Iran on June 2025.
Read PIBA’s official announcement about the visa extension
The announcement has been published on PIBA’s official Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram channels. AIC has asked PIBA to publish the information on the official site.
Why Are Visas Being Digitally Extended?
This sweeping extension of visas is a response to the shutdown of visa services due to the Israel-Iran war that started on February 28th, 2026. Heightened security measures have been implemented in all of Israel, including the closure of schools, non-essential workplaces, and a ban on gatherings.
Since the conflict began, PIBA has reopened a limited number of offices to handle emergency cases, specifically in the registry department. These offices are only processing urgent applications for passports, Israeli IDs, and related documentation, with no visa services available at all.
The digital extension of visas was finally rolled out yesterday, after AIC sent an official inquiry last Sunday, requesting to roll our a digital visa extension, as was done in similar circumstances during the first Iran war.
Which Visas Have Been Extended?
The following visas have been extended by 3 months, if the following conditions apply:
- The expiry date of the visa is from February 22nd to March 31st, 2026.
- The visa holder holds one of the following visa types:
- B/1 – General Work Visa (Excluding work visas related to the Foreign Workers Administration and Enforcement Administration)
- B/2 – Tourist Visa
- B/4 – Volunteer Visa
- A/5 – General Temporary Resident Visa
- A/1 – Aliyah Eligible Temporary Resident Visa
- A/2 – Student Visa (excluding agricultural trainees)
- A/3 – Clergy Visa
- A/4 – Companion Visa to A/2, A/3 visas
- DCL permits (West Bank residents) – for family reunification and humanitarian applicants
Important! It is still unclear whether visas of those who are currently outside of Israel have been extended. AIC is actively advocating for the extension to apply to all qualifying visa holders, regardless of their location. Please stay tuned for updates on this topic.
What Does a Digital Extension Mean?
A digital extension means that your visa is automatically extended in the Population and Immigration Authority’s (PIBA) system – without any need for you to visit their offices, submit a request, or receive a new sticker or document. If your visa was extended, the new expiry date of your visa is 3 additional months from the original expiry date.
The extension is registered internally and can be verified by officials when needed.
A digital extension is fully recognized as regular time within the gradual process. It does not pause or delay your progress in the process.
FAQ
The following FAQ is partially based on PIBA’s official FAQ that was published during the first Iran war (June 2025). AIC has requested PIBA to publish an updated FAQ, and we will update this page accordingly.
I was abroad when the digital extension was rolled out, what should I do?
This topic is currently under investigation by AIC, please stay tuned for updates.
What if I have a scheduled visa meeting?
The digital visa extension does not automatically mean your meeting is cancelled.
If your office reopens for visa services by the date of your meeting, your meeting should still be happening normally despite the extension. However, if the office remains closed for visa services due to the war, your meeting will not take place.
Stay updated by checking announcements from the Homefront Command regarding daily security measures. Also, follow AIC’s Instagram/Facebook story for the latest information about office operations and available services.
PIBA’s June 2025 FAQ: A visa department appointment was scheduled for me but was canceled during the operation due to the situation. What should I do?
Due to the situation, appointments were canceled in both the Registration and Visa Departments. Once offices resume full operations, visa matters will be handled individually. To reschedule, please email the relevant office.
I didn’t get a text message – was my visa extended?
Text messages (SMS) about the visa extension were sent on March 2nd, only to visa holders who PIBA has their phone number registered. Even if you didn’t receive a text message, your visa extension still applies as long as you meet all the conditions: Your visa’s expiry is between 22.2.26-31.3.26, and you hold one of the relevant visa types.
Regarding visa holders who meet those condition but are abroad, please stay tuned for updates.
How can I prove that my visa was digitally extended? Is there official confirmation?
In digital extensions, a valid visa sticker or ID is not required for the status’s validity. The extended validity is updated in government systems, which is what counts.
If your employer or any other external entity asks for proof, you may show them the text message you received or PIBA’s official announcement online (a link to PIBA’s official website will be shared as soon as it is published).
How can I get a valid visa sticker / new ID / Intervisa?
Once PIBA offices return to normal operations, you should be able to obtain an up-to-date visa sticker (for free), renew your ID, etc – either by walk-in or by scheduling a new appointment.
Note: In digital extensions, a valid visa sticker or ID is not required to maintain lawful status.
My visa expired before February 22nd, what should I do?
The current digital extension only covers visas with an original expiry date between 22.2.26-31.3.26. If your visa expired before that date, it is not automatically extended.
AIC recommends contacting your local visa office as soon as possible to clarify your status and ask how to restore or renew your visa.
I am abroad for more than 90 days in a visa year. Will I lose my visa?
The gradual process requires you to keep your center of life in Israel, which most PIBA offices interpret as staying abroad no more than 90 days per visa year.
However, at the start of the Iron Swords war (October 2023), PIBA clarified that longer stays abroad may be tolerated in some cases, depending on the reason and reviewed individually.
AIC advises staying within the 90-day limit if possible, to avoid risking your status.
PIBA’s June 2025 FAQ: Foreign nationals holding a visa based on a relationship with an Israeli citizen, whose center of life is in Israel, and who are currently abroad — will there be any leniency regarding the center of life due to the operation?
Each case will be examined individually, based on its specific circumstances.
We have a meeting coming up but the Israeli partner is in military duty. Can the non-Israeli go alone?
PIBA’s June 2025 FAQ: Couples who cannot attend a Population Authority appointment together due to the Israeli partner’s active military service — can the foreign partner attend alone?
If it is confirmed that the Israeli partner is in active military service, the foreign partner may attend the appointment alone, with documentation proving the military service. The request will be handled according to standard procedures.
Does the visa extension delay my status upgrade or gradual process?
No! A visa extension does not delay your status upgrade or your gradual process.
The extension is a technical measure to maintain lawful status during the war, while offices are closed. It does not affect eligibility, timelines, or the processing of a status upgrade or any stage of the gradual process. Once normal office activity resumes, your meetings and timeline continue from the same point. Eligibility for a status upgrade is determined by elapsed time, not by the number of meetings or renewals.
What’s next?
For now, the most important thing is to follow Homefront Command instructions, stay safe, and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. AIC will continue to monitor updates from PIBA and share important information as soon as it’s available.
We’re also actively working to get clarity on key issues – especially regarding re-entry for those stranded abroad, repatriation flights, and access to urgent visa services. Follow our Instagram and Facebook stories for real-time updates and guidance.
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