How to Book an Appointment to PIBA Visa Department

One of the most common questions international couples in the partner visa process ask is “How do I book an appointment with the visa department at Misrad Hapnim (PIBA)?” And the answer is not always straightforward.

This article will list all the ways to schedule an appointment with Misrad Hapnim, for visa-related issues that are handled at the visa department (other than partner visa applications).

This article only covers appointments at the PIBA’s visa department. Appointment bookings for the registry department (mainly for services for Israeli citizens) are made via the GoVisit app.

Important note! Partner visa renewal meetings must be requested AT LEAST 3 months in advance via a dedicated online application form. Click here to learn how to apply.

Ways to Schedule an Appointment at the Visa Department

1. Appointment Form – טופס זימון תור למחלקת אשרות

Who is it for?

The Visa Department Appointment Form is used to schedule a visa department appointment for general services or to get information about a pending application at the visa department. For example:

1. Citizenship applications (after completing the gradual process)
2. Tourist visa applications (invitations of tourists, extensions, etc).
3. Humanitarian applications
4. Aliyah applications
5. Student/Clergy/Expert visa applications
6. General inquiries and checking the status of pending applications (after an online application, after an interview, etc).

Note! This form is NOT used to apply for a partner visa for the first time. If you want to start the partner visa process, check out our step-by-step guide on how to apply for your first visa.

Pay attention! Partner visa renewal applications have been moved from this form and are now done through an online document submission form. Learn about partner visa renewal.

When and how will I get an appointment?

• The appointment application form will be answered within 30 business days via email or phone (phone calls are received from blocked numbers, so make sure to answer those).
• If you did not get a response after 14 business days, you can call *3450 and they will send a reminder to the office to respond within 30 business days from when you applied.
• If you did not get a response after 30 business days:
  • In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa offices: Go to the visa information desk and an appointment will be set on the spot.
  • The rest of the offices: Go to the office and leave your personal details. An appointment will be scheduled within 2 business days.

If you need help filling and submitting the form, please contact us, or contact the PIBA call center at *3450.

2. Direct Email to the Relevant Office

Another way to schedule an appointment with the Misrad Hapnim visa department or get information about your application would be via email.

You can find the email address of your branch on our list of PIBA emails and contact details.

When emailing PIBA, always include:

1. Your full name (if you’re inquiring about a partner visa, so both of your names).
2. Identification number(s) (passport or Israeli ID).
3. Application number/file number (if you have it).
4. Your inquiry – keep it short and simple.
5. Contact details (it is recommended to include both phone number and email)

Note! Email communication will usually be possible only after you have an open file at the specific PIBA branch.

When and how will I get an appointment?

It depends on the branch and its availability. Unfortunately, not all branches respond to appointment applications or inquiries that are sent by email.

3. Walk-In Service and Scheduling In Person

We suggest resorting to walk-in service only if you were not able to schedule an appointment in another way (form or email). Walk-in services are limited and require long waiting times.

Some PIBA branches accept walk-in appointments for simple services such as intervisa applications, tourist visa applications, and general inquiries, as well as for appointment scheduling.

As a walk-in, you will not be able to access services that require pre-scheduled appointments, such as interviews, visa renewals that require checks, ID renewals, etc. If you need these services, your walk-in appointment can be used to schedule a “full” appointment.

When arriving at the branch, ask for visa services and get a “V Number” (V stands for Visas). This number will be your digital queue number to get serviced at the visa department (for example “V117”).

Most PIBA offices limit the availability of walk-in appointments either by the hour (30 minutes or 1 hour from opening) or by the number of people. For this reason, it is advisable to arrive at the opening hour or before opening. Take into account that waiting inside the office can sometimes take up to 3 hours.

For the branches that don’t accept walk-ins at all, or in case you missed the walk-in availability, some branches offer to “leave a message”, usually with the guards at the entrance. After receiving your message, a clerk should get in touch with you about your inquiry.

4. PIBA Call Center & Phone Services

PIBA Official Call Center *3450

PIBA’s call center at *3450 does not offer appointment scheduling for the visa department.

Additionally, PIBA confirmed that the call center is operated by employees who have very limited training about visas, and the complicated bureaucratic processes around visa applications.

It is common that applicants receive wrong and misleading information about visas from the PIBA call center. AIC’s advice is to avoid getting information about visa-related procedures from the call center.

Direct Phone Calls to the Visa Department

It is currently impossible to contact visa departments or your visa clerk via direct phone call. Direct phone communication with visa clerks will only be possible if a clerk calls you (the call will come from blocked number).

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This information is brought to you by The Israeli Association for International Couples. We are a dedicated nonprofit organization that is here to make your partner visa process simpler. If you used the information on this article, please donate today!

If you and your partner are considering starting your shared life in Israel, our knowledge base provides everything you need to know about how to obtain a partner visa, and the gradual process.