Avoiding VAT in Israel

[PraiseCanada]

I am going to Israel for one year on a student visa (I already have my visa). My wife is on a work visa.
We plan to do a lot of touring in the first month we are there. However, when tourist services ask to see our passport stamp (in order to remove the VAT) we won't have anything to show them - resulting in probably hundreds of dollars extra in taxes.

Does anyone know how we can get out of the VAT despite our non-tourist status?

I'm thinking at the airport, I'll explain that we are entering as tourists, and plan to begin work and studying in a month, and hopefully get a tourist stamp. I have no idea if this will work.
Many of you must have gone to Yeshiva for a year on a student visa - did anyone manage to get tourist stamps for some period of time, or find some other way out of VAT?

[sammy n]

I am going to Israel for one year on a student visa (I already have my visa). My wife is on a work visa.
We plan to do a lot of touring in the first month we are there. However, when tourist services ask to see our passport stamp (in order to remove the VAT) we won't have anything to show them - resulting in probably hundreds of dollars extra in taxes.

Does anyone know how we can get out of the VAT despite our non-tourist status?

I'm thinking at the airport, I'll explain that we are entering as tourists, and plan to begin work and studying in a month, and hopefully get a tourist stamp. I have no idea if this will work.
Many of you must have gone to Yeshiva for a year on a student visa - did anyone manage to get tourist stamps for some period of time, or find some other way out of VAT?

If you have a visa already I don't believe there's a way out of the VAT.

[Jkhein]

If you have a visa already I don't believe there's a way out of the VAT.

+1, although many hotels don't ask to see the visa if you booked it as a tourist.

[ashers]

"Lose" your passport
in the temp one you will have no stamp

[Jkhein]

"Lose" your passport
in the temp one you will have no stamp

1. Replacing a passport cost more money and hassle than one would probably save with vat.
2. It does not go by the stamp anymore, it goes by a seperate piece of paper you get upon entry

[Yitz]

That is correct. They scan your passport and give you a separate paper with all your info.

[sammy n]

1. Replacing a passport cost more money and hassle than one would probably save with vat.
2. It does not go by the stamp anymore, it goes by a seperate piece of paper you get upon entry

+1

[Yosel]

My son is in Yeshiva in Israel, and went to see a Doctor there, he was charged 18% VAT, as an American does he have to pay VAT??

[satturn]

My son is in Yeshiva in Israel, and went to see a Doctor there, he was charged 18% VAT, as an American does he have to pay VAT??

Unfortunately yes. All purchases, you are required to pay vat except certain touristy things - hotels, gifts, rental car etc. But if he is a student on a valid student visa, he is required to pay full vat on everything.

[Jkhein]

My son is in Yeshiva in Israel, and went to see a Doctor there, he was charged 18% VAT, as an American does he have to pay VAT??

just a recommendation, meuchedet health insurance is just about 110 shekels month, well worth the risks IMHO

[Yosel]

just a recommendation, meuchedet health insurance is just about 110 shekels month, well worth the risks IMHO

Thanks, is it accepted by all doctors?

[satturn]

Thanks, is it accepted by all doctors?

all meuhedet doctors!
You would need through their own clinics, which are located all over israel. Very good coverage in jerusalem, and other frum neighborhoods. 

[Jkhein]

Thanks, is it accepted by all doctors?

all meuhedet doctors!
You would need through their own clinics, which are located all over israel. Very good coverage in jerusalem, and other frum neighborhoods.

+1

[hocker]

FTR Many students doing their year (or two) in Israel later regret not getting health insurance. If you or your child is going to study in Israel or any country for that matter you owe it to them (and yourself) is a basic health insurance plan which covers hospitalizations.

[shmuelb]

On that topic, once you come and are here for 18 months, if not changed law, you get free ihealth coverage from Bituach Leumi. I think you pay them a monthly fee and they pay the health care, eg. Meuchedet. This comes out especially beneficial for a single student who ends up staying longer than expected, and also upon getting married, the wife gets coverage right away without a waiting period.

[Yosel]

I have my own coverage, that covers me in Israel as well. however, my son was charged 900 shekel for a foot dr. visit, and he gave him orthotics for 3000 shekel, I toughed that it was very expensive............ and the dr says "all Israelis pay this price Here"