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שימוש בתמונה לפי סעיף 27א לחוק זכויות יוצרים
As the war between Israel and Iran enters its fourth day, thousands of international couples living in Israel are facing growing uncertainty. The Israeli Association for International Couples (AIC) is working to ensure their rights are not overlooked during this national crisis.
Visa Services Unavailable — AIC Calls for Immediate Digital Extension
Since the outbreak of the war, all visa departments of the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) across Israel have been shut down. While a limited number of offices are open for emergency registry services, none are handling visa applications, extensions, or related appointments.
In response, AIC submitted an urgent letter to PIBA this morning outlining immediate steps the authority should take. The main request: that PIBA issue an automatic digital visa extension, as was done multiple times in 2023 and during the early days of the Iron Swords war.
We urged PIBA to:
- Roll out a digital visa extension for all affected visa holders, starting retroactively from 15 June 2025, the day visa departments were closed.
- Officially clarify who the extension applies to, as in previous cases such extensions did not include individuals currently abroad and did not apply to intervisas, yet this was never clearly communicated in any official publication.
- Provide urgent visa services for emergencies, including visa extensions, interim visas, and biometric documentation for eligible applicants, similarly to the services offered for registry and passports.
- Ensure that visa holders stranded abroad due to the airspace closure will be able to return to Israel even if their visa expires while they are away.
While AIC has received indications from PIBA that these issues are currently under discussion, PIBA has yet to release any official statement addressing the urgent visa-related concerns. Due to this ongoing lack of public communication, AIC was compelled to submit a formal inquiry on behalf of the community, calling for immediate clarity and official guidance.
Click here to read AIC’s official inquiry to PIBA
Visa Holders Stranded Abroad
In parallel, AIC addressed the issue of visa holders who live in Israel but are currently unable to return due to the complete shutdown of Israeli airspace. Many binational families and foreign partners have found themselves stuck overseas, separated from their homes and loved ones.
AIC sent formal letters to both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation, urging them to:
- Include foreign nationals with valid Israeli visas in all state-organized repatriation efforts.
- Ensure non-citizen visa holders are not excluded from emergency return flights.
- Permit the return of visa holders whose visas expired while stranded abroad due to the airspace closure.
AIC is maintaining communication with contacts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and El Al Airlines, as well as actively networking and creating connections to additional policymakers. We will continue to monitor the issue closely and advocate for clear guidance.
Moving Forward
In these uncertain times, AIC remains fully committed to protecting the rights and wellbeing of international couples in Israel. We urge everyone to stay safe and carefully follow the instructions of the Homefront Command. We are in active contact with the relevant authorities and will continue advocating for clarity, fairness, and practical solutions.
We regularly share updates on PIBA office operations, visa extensions, and related developments through our Instagram and Facebook Stories. Follow us on these platforms to stay informed in real time.
AIC is the only organization standing up for international couples in Israel – especially in times of crisis. Without your help, we won’t be able to continue this vital work. DONATE TODAY!
