Passport

Before passports: How travelers crossed borders

The passport was not the beginning of travel documentation, but the result of centuries of attempts to control movement, identity and access across borders.

Before passports became standard, travellers relied on permits, letters and personal recognition to cross borders.
Germany granted citizenship to 6,756 Israelis in 2025, making its embassy in Israel the country's largest passport office outside Europe.PremiumPremium

'Insurance certificate for escape': Israelis reclaim German citizenship in record numbers

A Romanian passport; Illustrative.

Ex-IDF soldier convicted for using foreign passport to enter Iraq, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia

An illustration picture shows Israeli passports in Jerusalem, on January 18, 2023.

Israel's passport climbs to record high in Henley Passport Index despite conflicts


Where does Israel rank in the world's most powerful passports?

Israel remains steady and able to travel without hassle to many countries across the world - but which passports are the strongest?

Close up of woman hand with engagement ring holding passport and suitcase

24 questions: Can you pass the British citizenship test?

People wanting UK citizenship have to take a multiple-choice test on Britain, its history and way of life. Will you be able to pass?

 Passport for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Russian media figure fled to Lithuania on Israeli passport

Ksenia Sobchak, whose father was a mentor of Putin, fled Russia after being charged with extortion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Ksenia Sobchak, Pavel Grudinin and Sergei Baburin during a meeting with candidates who participated in the last presidential election, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 19, 2018.

US official: We seek ‘equal treatment’ for all US citizens with Visa Waiver Program

Israel does not currently meet all the requirements to be included in the US Visa Waiver Program, including reciprocal visa-free travel for all US citizens.

 Israeli entry visa

After Putin's mobilization, Israeli passports in high demand for Russian Jews

Jewish Russian citizens have received orders to be drafted into the Russian army.

 A Russian serviceman addresses reservists at a gathering point in the course of partial mobilization of troops, aimed to support the country's military campaign in Ukraine, in the town of Volzhsky in the Volgograd region, Russia September 28, 2022.

Syrian tries to use 'worst Israeli passport forgery of all time'

A forged passport made by a Syrian traveler contained spelling of words that made no sense and border control stamps that haven't been used in years.

Israeli passport [Illustrative]

Grapevine June 17, 2022: Accords and art

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 UAE AMBASSADOR Mohammed Al Khaja at the Israel Museum with Isaac Molho.

Meet Portugalis, the company helping Jews claim Portuguese citizenship

Portugal has a rich and tragic Jewish history. What are the benefits of obtaining Portuguese citizenship?

 A PORTUGUESE passport conveys all the benefits of a standard EU passport.

Verbal abuse, intimidation routine for foreigners at Ben Gurion airport

Population and Immigration officials threaten to handcuff one individual, ban another from Israel for a decade. ‘I felt like a criminal’ say three separate travelers who experienced hostile behavior.

A passenger at Ben Gurion Airport

American olim in limbo as backlog at US Emabssy continues

As coronavirus cases are spiking once again across Israel, those seeking appointments with the embassy remain in a continued state of annoyance and uncertainty.

 At wit's end: Esther Esquenazi with her 10-month-old son