Laissez Passer

When urgent travel becomes necessary and time is not on your side, the Israeli laissez-passer, known in Hebrew as te'udat ma'avar, offers a crucial lifeline that many Israeli citizens don't know exists. This temporary travel document is also referred to by several other names depending on the context and who you're speaking with: some Ministry of Interior clerks call it a "teudat ma'avar zmanit" (temporary travel document), while others may refer to it simply as a "darkon zmanit" (temporary passport) or "teudat nesi'a" (travel certificate). In official documentation and international contexts, you might also see it called an "emergency travel document" or "ETD," which is the standard international terminology for such documents. Understanding these various names is helpful because different clerks at the Ministry of Interior may use different terminology, and being familiar with all of them ensures you're asking for the right document regardless of how it's labeled.

The laissez-passer is fundamentally different from a regular passport in both its purpose and its processing time. While a standard Israeli passport can take anywhere from several days to weeks to obtain depending on the service level chosen, the laissez-passer can be issued immediately or within one to two days at most. This dramatic difference in processing time makes it an invaluable tool for anyone facing unexpected travel emergencies, whether due to family crises abroad, lost or stolen passports with imminent travel plans, or sudden business obligations that cannot wait for standard bureaucratic timelines.

The document itself is valid for a limited period, typically 5 years, and is generally issued for a specific trip or purpose rather than as a long-term travel solution. This temporal limitation reflects its emergency nature. The laissez-passer is not meant to replace your regular passport for routine international travel but rather to bridge the gap when circumstances demand immediate action.

Once you've completed your urgent journey, you're expected to obtain a proper passport through the standard channels for any future international travel needs.

One of the most strategic aspects of obtaining a laissez-passer involves timing your request with other Ministry of Interior business, particularly when you're already scheduled for a biometric identity card appointment. Many Israelis visit the Ministry of Interior to obtain or renew their teudat zehut, the Israeli national identity card that all citizens and residents must carry. What most people don't realize is that this same appointment can serve double duty. When you're sitting with the Ministry of Interior clerk processing your ID card application, you can simultaneously request a laissez-passer for upcoming travel. This approach eliminates the need for a separate appointment, saves precious time, and often results in receiving your temporary travel document on the same day or with just a single return visit within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

Please note that you are not allowed to apply for this passport unless 90 days have passed since you made Aliyah

The process of obtaining a laissez-passer is relatively straightforward, though it helps to be prepared and assertive about your needs. When you arrive at the Ministry of Interior, whether for a scheduled appointment or during designated walk-in hours at certain locations, you'll need to explain your urgent travel situation to the clerk. It's beneficial to have documentation supporting your need for immediate travel, such as flight bookings, letters from employers, or in cases of family emergencies, documentation from hospitals or family members abroad. While the system is designed to accommodate genuine emergencies, having clear proof of your urgent need can smooth the approval process considerably.

The physical document you receive is recognized internationally as a valid travel document issued by the State of Israel. As of recent updates, it is accepted as a legitimate travel document by all EU and Schengen countries except Malta, as well as Russia, Japan, and other states. Overall, the document grants visa-free entry to more than 50 countries, though the exact number can vary as diplomatic agreements evolve. The document carries the same legal weight as a regular passport for the purposes of international travel, containing your biometric information, photograph, and personal details, along with specific notation about its temporary nature and validity period.

However, it's crucial to understand that acceptance isn't universal or guaranteed. Because the laissez-passer is classified as an emergency or temporary travel document rather than a standard passport, some countries may subject it to additional scrutiny at border control, and border officials retain discretion in accepting or rejecting it. Countries that have been known to present challenges include Argentina, which requires holders of the temporary Israeli travel document to obtain a visa as of May 2024, and the United Arab Emirates, where teudat ma'avar holders cannot enter and cannot obtain a tourist visa. Similarly, destinations like Poland, South Africa, and Taiwan typically require visa applications from laissez-passer holders even though regular Israeli passport holders enjoy visa-free access.

Most European countries within the Schengen zone accept the laissez-passer for stays of up to ninety days within a six-month period, making it viable for emergency trips to popular European destinations. This coverage includes major travel hubs like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Greece, though again, Malta stands as the notable exception within the European Union. Countries like Japan and South Korea also recognize the document for visa-free travel, provided the holder's citizenship is explicitly listed as Israeli.

Before relying on a laissez-passer for international travel, it's essential to verify that your specific destination country accepts this type of document. A quick call to the relevant embassy or consulate can confirm whether there are any special considerations or additional requirements. Don't assume that because the document is valid internationally, every country will accept it under the same conditions as a regular passport. The distinction matters significantly, and what works for travel to Berlin might not work for Buenos Aires or Dubai.

The cost of obtaining a laissez-passer is generally lower than that of a regular passport, reflecting its temporary nature and limited validity period. The fees vary depending on the urgency of issuance and whether you opt for same-day service versus next-day pickup, but in most cases, you're looking at a few hundred shekels. This relatively modest investment can be worth many times its cost when weighed against the alternatives of missing critical family moments abroad, losing non-refundable travel deposits, or forfeiting important business opportunities due to documentation delays.

One scenario where the laissez-passer proves particularly valuable is when an Israeli passport has been lost or stolen shortly before planned international travel. The panic that sets in when you realize your passport is missing just days before a scheduled flight is considerable, and the standard replacement process might not align with your travel dates. In such situations, reporting the loss to both the police and the Ministry of Interior, then immediately requesting a laissez-passer, can mean the difference between canceling your trip and proceeding as planned. You can then arrange to obtain a proper replacement passport either after your return or potentially even while abroad through an Israeli embassy or consulate, depending on your circumstances and destination.

Family emergencies represent another common and deeply challenging situation where the laissez-passer becomes essential. When you receive news that a family member abroad is seriously ill or has passed away, the last thing you want to deal with is bureaucratic delays preventing you from being there when it matters most. The laissez-passer system recognizes the human dimension of these situations and provides a mechanism to cut through normal processing times. Ministry of Interior clerks are generally sympathetic to such circumstances, especially when you can provide documentation such as hospital letters or death certificates, and will prioritize processing your emergency travel document.

Understanding the distinction between the laissez-passer and a regular passport helps clarify when each document is appropriate. The laissez-passer is fundamentally a stopgap measure, a temporary solution that acknowledges that life sometimes presents situations where normal timelines don't apply. It's not designed for frequent travelers who make multiple international trips throughout the year, nor is it meant for routine vacation planning where there's adequate time to obtain a proper passport. Instead, it exists specifically for those moments when circumstances beyond your control create an urgent need for international travel and the standard processes simply cannot accommodate your timeline.

The existence of the laissez-passer reflects a certain pragmatism in Israeli bureaucracy, an acknowledgment that rigid adherence to standard procedures doesn't always serve citizens' needs in exceptional circumstances. While Israeli bureaucracy can often feel overwhelming and inflexible, the laissez-passer system represents one area where the government has built in flexibility for genuine emergencies. Knowing this option exists and understanding how to access it quickly can provide peace of mind, even if you never need to use it. Simply being aware that there's a backup plan for urgent travel situations removes one layer of worry from the complex equation of managing life's unexpected challenges.

For anyone facing an urgent travel situation, the key takeaway is simple: don't assume that the absence of a valid passport means you cannot travel. The laissez-passer exists precisely for these moments, and with the right approach and documentation, you can often have this temporary travel document in hand within a day or two at most. Whether you're scheduling a new appointment specifically for this purpose or strategically requesting it during an already-planned visit to the Ministry of Interior, understanding this option and knowing how to advocate for your needs can make all the difference when time is of the essence and international travel cannot wait.

Updated on: 02/02/2026