ARRIVAL INFORMATION

If you are not coming directly to the university, please let us know that you
have arrived to the country.

Telephone nrs:
PAS office: +972 2 298 2153 (if you are in the country 02 298 2153)
Muna Giacaman (director): (home) 02 295 1345
059 208 258 (mobile)
Rasha Kassis (administrative assistant): (home) 02 2810226, 059-272486
(mobile)

Ibtisal Yousef (secretary): 0547 345 192 (mobile)

Home and mobile numbers, in case of emergenices only.

Tel Aviv airport

If you intend at some later date to travel around the Middle East you may ask the passport control
officer at the airport or the Allenby Bridge NOT to stamp your passport The officer will then stamp
a separate card, which you must keep in your passport at all times.

These days, most individual travellers are questioned upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport or one of the
bridges. In the summer of 2002 one of our students was denied entry when he mentioned his plans
of coming to study at Birzeit. Since then we felt we had no other choice than to advise our students
not to volunteer information regarding their plans to study at Birzeit. Most of our students followed
that advice and had no problem entering the country. In the summer of 2003, however, one student
actually did mention his plans of studying at Birzeit. It prompted some additional questioning, but
he did receive a 3-month visa. In the fall of 2003, 2 students were denied entry to Israel when they
mentioned that they were going to study at Birzeit University. The policy is not clear.

THEREFORE, our advice remains that it will be the wisest not to mention Birzeit if you don’t need
to, or you have to, this may jeopardize your situation.

Friends in Israel, the holy sites, religion, the beaches, Eilat, the Red Sea, the Sinai, the kibbutzes,
archaeology are all examples of reasons for coming to Israel which our students have used.

If, indeed, you have friends in Israel, then make sure that you have their telephone number with
you. Sometimes the officer will try to call them.

From Tel Aviv airport to Birzeit University

The trip will basically consist of the following:
1. Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem
2. Jerusalem to Kalandia checkpoint
3. Kalandia checkpoint to Birzeit University

1. To Jerusalem: Take a Nasher (shared) Taxi ($10, about one hour drive) from the airport
(there are clear signs immediately after you leave the arrival hall) and ask the driver to drop
you at Damascus Gate if you are continuing to Birzeit that day or at Jerusalem Hotel (US$65,--
single/night) or St Thomas Home (US$25,--) if you want to spend the night in Jerusalem. If
you arrive to Jerusalem after 2 o’clock pm, we advise you to spend the night in Jerusalem,
because you will not be able to reach Birzeit University before 4 o’clock when we close the
office.

2. Jerusalem – Kalandia checkpoint

 Exactly in front of Damascus Gate is the Four Seasons restaurant. To the side of this restaurant
is the taxi stand for shared taxis to Kalandia checkpoint. The fee is NIS 3,50. (20-40 minutes,
depending on traffic).

3. Kalandia checkpoint – Birzeit University

When you arrive to Kalandia, cross the checkpoint (just follow the other people) and look for
the shared (drivers call: “Birzeit, Birzeit”, NIS 5, 20-30 minutes) or private (NIS 50-60) taxis
that drive directly to Birzeit.

However, if you decide to go via Ramallah, then cross the Kalandia checkpoint (2 minutes walk),
and take a service taxi or Ford to Al-Manara square, Ramallah (drivers call: “Ramallah, Ramallah”,
about 3 shekels 10 minutes).

From Ramallah to Birzeit University: walk to the Birzeit taxi stop on Chicken Street (in front of
the courthouse, two streets to the left of the Arab Bank at Al-Manara Square - if you are facing the
Arab Bank).

NB: Please note that Birzeit University is closed on Fridays and Sundays

B. From The Allenby Bridge, Jordan

Take a service taxi from the West Bank side of the Bridge to Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, then
follow the directions above. Time: around 1 hour. If you arrive early in the morning, you may find
taxis directly to Kalandia checkpoint. Then follow above directions for Kalandia to Birzeit
University.

NB: The value of 1 US$ is currently at a fluctuating rate of about 4.3 NIS (shekels)

VISAS

Israel does not issue student visas for Birzeit University. However, citizens of most countries can
obtain a tourist visa at the airport or from the Allenby Bridge. In the current situation it will
probably not be possible to get an extension for your visa, once the 3 months are over.
Most internationals leave the country for a short visit to Jordan, Cyprus or Egypt and then get a
new visa upon their return.

Be advised that, if you are entering from the Allenby Bridge, you will need a valid Jordanian visa
so as to cross back into Jordan via the Allenby Bridge. Single and multi-entry Jordanian visas valid
for three months or more are best obtained from your country of citizenship, as the ones issued at
Amman Airport are normally valid for 2 weeks only.

IF YOU ARRIVE PRIOR TO ORIENTATION, THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS MAY BE OF

USE TO YOU:

St Thomas Home: 6, Chaldean Street, Off Nablus Road, the narrow street next to the Interior
Ministry of East Jerusalem, Ph: +972 2 6282657. Fax: 02-6284217. (This is a small establishment
and it is advisable to make reservations either through us or directly by calling them between 10-
13:00 local time, ask for Nina.) (US$25,--)

The Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Road, East Jerusalem. Ph: +972 2 628 3282.
E-mail: raed@jrshotel.com (US$65,--)

Petra Hostel, just inside Jaffa Gate, East Jerusalem. Tel: +972 2 6286 618. e-mail:
(petrahtl@netvision.net.il). (US$ 8-30)

Miami Pension, Jaffa Street, Ramallah. Telefax: +972 2 295 6808. (US$30,--)

Al Hajal Hotel, Lutheran Street, Ramallah. Tel: +972 2 298 7858/6759,

Fax: +972 2 295 6217/87858. (US$35,--)
El Bireh Tourist Hotel, main Jerusalem-Ramallah road, past Urabi cars, Ramallah.
Ph: +972 2 240 6803, Fax: +972 2 240 6802. (US$35,--)

Revised 5/2005/rk