The process depends on what are you going to study and for which degree (Undergraduate programs/ Graduate programs/ Doctoral degrees/ Post-doctoral fellowships, various internship programs). For exact instructions and deadlines, please advise your future department/ supervisor.
The academic year 2021-2022 will begin on October 17, 2021.
BA/B.Sc./M.Sc., PhD students should arrive before the academic year starts. Besides the courses you might take at your first semester, there are a few issues to take care of, such as finding suitable accommodations (see below).
Post-Doctoral fellows should arrive accordingly to an agreement with their supervisor, but please note that it is easier to find suitable accommodations before the start of the academic year (or of a new semester).
For your convenience and easier decision making, here are the dates of the major Jewish holidays in 2021-2022. Most of the Israeli governmental offices, including BGU, and Israeli embassies abroad, are closed through the holidays, and some – even more. It means that the procedures as visas, health insurances, etc. – are to be taken care of in advance.
Rosh ha-Shanah (Jewish New Year) – September 6-8, 2021
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – September 15-16, 2021
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) – September 20-28, 2021
Purim – March 16-18, 2022
Passover – April 15-22, 2022
Independence Day – May 5, 2022 (it is a national holiday, the private businesses, the public transportation, and the governmental offices does not work)
Shavuot (Pentecost) – June 5, 2022
The weekend in Israel is during Friday and Saturday.
Here is a link to the full BGU Academic Calendar 2021-2022.
When you know the date of your arrival to Israel, the most important issues to take care of before arriving are registration to BGU, visa and health insurance.