TLV Passport Control: New Biometric Screening Kiosks
Nov 21, 2013, 11:45 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
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Ok, silly question.
I renewed my and the rugrats' Israeli passports at the consulate last summer, and they have the little RFID symbol on the front, and our photos popped up on those entry cards last time we were there. My husband still has the old-style passport, and no photo popped into his entry card.
So are the passports the kids and I have the biometric ones, meaning we are eligible for this program? My husband may have to renew his and would end up getting the new one, too. (When I did the kids' and mine, they didn't ask. Thy just did the RFID ones automatically.) I have to check if his is expiring before our next trip over.
I renewed my and the rugrats' Israeli passports at the consulate last summer, and they have the little RFID symbol on the front, and our photos popped up on those entry cards last time we were there. My husband still has the old-style passport, and no photo popped into his entry card.
So are the passports the kids and I have the biometric ones, meaning we are eligible for this program? My husband may have to renew his and would end up getting the new one, too. (When I did the kids' and mine, they didn't ask. Thy just did the RFID ones automatically.) I have to check if his is expiring before our next trip over.
Nov 21, 2013, 11:52 am
#18
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Ok, silly question.
I renewed my and the rugrats' Israeli passports at the consulate last summer, and they have the little RFID symbol on the front, and our photos popped up on those entry cards last time we were there. My husband still has the old-style passport, and no photo popped into his entry card.
I renewed my and the rugrats' Israeli passports at the consulate last summer, and they have the little RFID symbol on the front, and our photos popped up on those entry cards last time we were there. My husband still has the old-style passport, and no photo popped into his entry card.
So are the passports the kids and I have the biometric ones, meaning we are eligible for this program? My husband may have to renew his and would end up getting the new one, too. (When I did the kids' and mine, they didn't ask. Thy just did the RFID ones automatically.) I have to check if his is expiring before our next trip over.
Assuming they are the new ones (which it sounds like they are based on the icon) then yes, you can use the kiosks in the airport with no need to sign up for any special program (like in the UK, and unlike the previous system in Israel in which you needed to register in the airport, or the USA where you need to apply, pay, and interview for Global Entry)
Nov 21, 2013, 12:39 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
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Posts: 1,318
I did bring pictures, and they used them. That's one of the confusing things that made me ask. Perhaps there was a second generation with only the RFID, and now there is a third generation with the full biometric system in place. I don't know!
Nov 21, 2013, 3:10 pm
#20
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The system went from "bring your own picture, not e-passport, and not biometric," to biometric, e-passport, with them taking the picture. You sure the picture in the passport is the one you took privately, AND that the passport has the logo?
Nov 21, 2013, 3:45 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Hmm. They aren't readily accessible at the moment, so I can't be 100% sure about the epassport symbol. I thought they had it, but with 8 passports for 4 people, could be mixing up whic is which, I suppose. 
Wouldn't shock me if that were the case.
What I am 100% sure of, though, is that they used my pics. In fact, my son was not there with me when I did the passports. I thought they weren't going to allow me to renew his until I brought him in person, but they did. (My daughter was with me, as it was her first passport.)
Wouldn't shock me if that were the case. What I am 100% sure of, though, is that they used my pics. In fact, my son was not there with me when I did the passports. I thought they weren't going to allow me to renew his until I brought him in person, but they did. (My daughter was with me, as it was her first passport.)
Nov 21, 2013, 9:40 pm
#22
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Was just at the Interior Ministry (Israel) and got a new biometric passport for my wife. For those who are unaware, they are now issuing biometric passports. It's currently in pilot phase, meaning you can choose biometric or regular passport. If you choose biometric, no need to get passport photos done before as they photograph you right there. If you have an Israeli passport, you can switch to a biometric one for free, and it's good for 10 years.
The new machines are set to be activated in mid-August 2013. Anyone with a biometric Israeli passport will be able to use the machine and bypass the passport lines (no need to meet with a person). This is as opposed to the current system which requires registering, getting an interview, and waiting for a special card in the mail.
The rep told me that eventually, the plan is for numerous passport holders to be able to use the machines that have agreements with Israel. Examples she gave are Global Entry passport holders, British, EU, and Australian biometric passport holders, with reciprocal access at those border crossings for Israeli biometric passport holders.
Note: Teudat Maavar is not eligible for biometric version. If you're eligible for Teudat Maavar but not passport, you must wait until eligible for a passport to apply for biometric passport.
The new machines are set to be activated in mid-August 2013. Anyone with a biometric Israeli passport will be able to use the machine and bypass the passport lines (no need to meet with a person). This is as opposed to the current system which requires registering, getting an interview, and waiting for a special card in the mail.
The rep told me that eventually, the plan is for numerous passport holders to be able to use the machines that have agreements with Israel. Examples she gave are Global Entry passport holders, British, EU, and Australian biometric passport holders, with reciprocal access at those border crossings for Israeli biometric passport holders.
Note: Teudat Maavar is not eligible for biometric version. If you're eligible for Teudat Maavar but not passport, you must wait until eligible for a passport to apply for biometric passport.
The passport that entitles me to use GE is not biometric.
I have a biometric passport, but it is not registered with GE.
Would I be allowed to enroll manually?
Nov 22, 2013, 12:18 am
#23
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I have no idea about the qualifications, though I can try to find out. However, I was under the impression that GE only works with e-passports. Otherwise, how would the machine read the info?
Nov 22, 2013, 1:08 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
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The GE kiosk reads the machine-readable zone on the passport. No e-passport is required.
Nov 22, 2013, 4:21 pm
#25
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Dec 11, 2013, 1:10 am
#26
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Experienced it in both directions.
Leaving TLV: Passport control hall, all the way to the left. There are 2 style kiosks - one are the large ones that have been there for a while. Don't use them. There are 2 small ones. Those are the new ones. Just slide the passport and follow the on-screen instructions. Take the printout and walk around to exit the hall and scan the barcode to open the gates.
Entering TLV: Bypass the lines and go straight through as if exiting passport control. On the left side, 2 of the automatic gates have the kiosks attached straight to them. After putting in the passport and your fingerprint, the gate will open.
Leaving TLV: Passport control hall, all the way to the left. There are 2 style kiosks - one are the large ones that have been there for a while. Don't use them. There are 2 small ones. Those are the new ones. Just slide the passport and follow the on-screen instructions. Take the printout and walk around to exit the hall and scan the barcode to open the gates.
Entering TLV: Bypass the lines and go straight through as if exiting passport control. On the left side, 2 of the automatic gates have the kiosks attached straight to them. After putting in the passport and your fingerprint, the gate will open.
Dec 11, 2013, 2:38 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 595
Experienced it in both directions.
Leaving TLV: Passport control hall, all the way to the left. There are 2 style kiosks - one are the large ones that have been there for a while. Don't use them. There are 2 small ones. Those are the new ones. Just slide the passport and follow the on-screen instructions. Take the printout and walk around to exit the hall and scan the barcode to open the gates.
Entering TLV: Bypass the lines and go straight through as if exiting passport control. On the left side, 2 of the automatic gates have the kiosks attached straight to them. After putting in the passport and your fingerprint, the gate will open.
Leaving TLV: Passport control hall, all the way to the left. There are 2 style kiosks - one are the large ones that have been there for a while. Don't use them. There are 2 small ones. Those are the new ones. Just slide the passport and follow the on-screen instructions. Take the printout and walk around to exit the hall and scan the barcode to open the gates.
Entering TLV: Bypass the lines and go straight through as if exiting passport control. On the left side, 2 of the automatic gates have the kiosks attached straight to them. After putting in the passport and your fingerprint, the gate will open.
Dec 11, 2013, 4:12 am
#28
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Yes they are, and will only be fazed out (officially) once there are no longer non-biometric passports around, which couldn't really be before 2025. (Though they may get rid of them earlier to "encourage" people to get biometric ones)
Dec 16, 2013, 5:31 pm
#29
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Since they are valid for 10 years, and I don't see any government announcement saying they will transition, it could be a while.
Dec 17, 2013, 1:18 am
#30
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So? Someone entering with a Vietnamese passport would go to the regular desks and not to the kiosks, just like any visitor in any country. The kiosks are there for all Israeli passport holders as well as any passport holders of reciprocal agreements, such as Global Entry and UK passports (for now - both yet to be implemented).