The Knesset Finance Committee on Wednesday, chaired by MK Moshe Gafne, gave its stamp of approval to lowering fees for passports and renewals.

Beginning from the most expensive, one requiring issuance of a passport at Ben-Gurion Airport will pay 800 shekels according to the new fee; instead of 1,105 shekels previously.

A new or renewed passport will now cost 265 shekels instead of 275 shekels, if one applies via an Interior Ministry office. However, applying via the internet is significantly less expensive year-round – and doing so in the winter will be less costly than during high-season, summer months.

Applying for a passport on line during the winter will cost 155 shekels instead of 195 and during the summer, 245 shekels.

Passports for adults are issued for ten years but in reality, they are only valid for flying for 9.5 years as is the case with US passports.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)