Israel Launches Winter Passport Discount Program
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israel's Population and Immigration Authority is offering discounted biometric passports from November 1st to February 28th. Adults will pay 185 shekels and children 105 shekels, with further discounts for military reservists and national service members. Payments must be made online in advance to secure the reduced rate, and appointments are required.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel offers discounted biometric passports from November 1 to February 28.
- Adult passports cost 185 shekels, down from 290 shekels.
- Children's passports are priced at 105 shekels, reduced from 155 shekels.
- Reservists and national service members get an additional 50% discount.
- Discount is valid only for advance online payments, not in-person fees.
- Appointments must be booked in advance via the Govisit system.
The Population and Immigration Authority in Israel is launching its annual "Winter Tariff" campaign, offering significant discounts on biometric passports. Starting November 1st and running until February 28th, adults will pay 185 shekels for a new passport, down from the usual 290 shekels. Children's passports will be reduced to 105 shekels from 155 shekels. This initiative aims to provide substantial savings for families renewing multiple passports.
Active reservists, regular soldiers, and national-civil service personnel are eligible for an additional 50% discount on the already reduced winter tariff, bringing their passport cost down to just 92.50 shekels. Eligibility for this extra discount is automatically checked upon entering an ID number on the authority's website.
To benefit from the discounted prices, applicants must pay online in advance through the Population and Immigration Authority's website. Those who attempt to pay in person at a local office will be charged the full, regular price, regardless of the season. Appointments must be booked in advance via the government's appointment scheduling system, Govisit.
Biometric passport issuance requires the applicant's physical presence for facial scanning and fingerprinting; no home passport photos are needed. Applicants should bring their ID card and previous passport if available. For minors, one parent must also be present. Adult passports are valid for 10 years, and those for minors for 5 years.
A key point emphasized is that the discount is tied to the payment date, not the appointment date. Individuals can pay the reduced fee online starting November 1st and schedule their appointment for a later date, even after the February 28th deadline, without losing the discount. Even outside the winter campaign, online payments are cheaper than in-person payments at the offices.
