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Seminary Guide

Before you fly: the paperwork checklist

Passport, visa, insurance, money and phone, in the order to deal with them.

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For students and parents

Start this list three or four months before the flight. The rules for visas and entry change, so use the links in our visas and health insurance guide and follow what your seminary and your nearest Israeli consulate tell you.

Passport and visa
  • Check the passport expiry date. Sources differ on how long it must be valid, so aim for well past the end of the year
  • Ask the seminary which visa its students get and whether you apply before flying or after arriving
  • Ask the seminary for the letter of acceptance the visa needs
  • If the student is under 18, ask the consulate what her parents must sign
  • If a parent is Israeli, tell the seminary early: the rules are different
  • Apply for the ETA-IL travel authorization if your country needs one
  • Keep copies of the passport photo page at home and in your email
Money for the year
  • Apply for a Masa grant if your program is registered with Masa
  • Ask the seminary about its own scholarships and the deadline
  • Agree a payment plan and know when each payment is due
  • Tell your bank and card company you will be abroad for the year
  • Check what your card charges for foreign spending and cash machines
  • Work out a monthly spending budget with our cost worksheet
Health
  • Find out what health insurance is included in tuition, and what it does not cover
  • Tell the insurer about existing conditions in writing
  • Book the doctor and dentist before the flight
  • Arrange a year of any prescription, or a way to refill it in Israel
  • Give the seminary your medical details and emergency contacts
College
  • Defer the college place in writing and keep the confirmation
  • Ask the college how seminary credits will transfer (see college credit)
  • Register with a joint program such as YU or Touro if you are using one
Phone and staying in touch
  • Decide: Israeli SIM, eSIM, or a plan from home
  • Check your phone is unlocked if you will use an Israeli SIM
  • Agree as a family when and how you will speak
  • Save the seminary office, dorm counselor and emergency numbers in your phone
Travel
  • Book the flight once the seminary confirms its start date
  • Check the baggage allowance before you pack
  • Ask the seminary how students get from the airport on arrival day
  • Register your trip with your government (see safety and emergencies)

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