Visa policy of Israel



Visitors to Israel must obtain a visa from one of the Israeli diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. From August 2024, all visitors from visa-exempt countries must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before traveling to Israel.

Ordinary passports (ETA-IL)
Holders of ordinary passports of the following countries do not need a visa to Israel for tourism, business or study up to 90 days, or culture or sport activities up to 30 days. From August 2024, they must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before traveling to Israel. The ETA-IL costs 25 ILS and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first.

Conditional exemption

 * 🇪🇬 Nationals of Egypt do not need a visa for stays of up to 14 days if entering through Taba and visiting up to Beersheba only.

Proposed exemptions

 * Kosovo – On 18 June 2024, Israel and Kosovo signed a visa waiver agreement, to take effect on 19 September 2024.
 * 🇸🇨 Seychelles – On 11 January 2024, Israel and Seychelles signed a visa exemption agreement.

Reciprocity
Nationals of Israel can travel without a visa to all countries whose nationals can travel without a visa to Israel, except Australia.

Israel grants a visa exemption for nationals of all countries that grant a visa exemption for nationals of Israel, except Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vatican City.

In June 2024, in response to the upcoming ETA-IL requirement, Ukraine stated that it would implement a similar pre-approval requirement for Israeli visitors, including for pilgrimages such as the annual Rosh Hashana kibbutz in Uman. Previously, Ukraine condidered suspending its visa waiver agreement with Israel in response to the treatment of Ukrainian refugees there, including confiscation of passports, extended interrogations at airports, and a large number of entry refusals and deportations.

Non-ordinary passports


Holders of diplomatic and service passports of all visa-exempt countries (listed above) do not need a visa to Israel, except those of Australia, Belarus, Dominica, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan, United States, and holders of service passports of South Africa.

In addition, holders of diplomatic and service passports of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, China, Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, India, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Morocco, Nicaragua, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Vatican City, and holders of diplomatic passports of Armenia, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Rwanda, and Vietnam do not need a visa to Israel.

Electronic visa
In February 2024, the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority announced plans to introduce an electronic visa for tourists, starting with a pilot for nationals of India.

Working holiday visa
Nationals of the following countries between the ages of 18 and 30 years may apply for a working holiday visa for 12 months in Israel.

In 2023, Israel signed agreements for a working holiday visa with Japan and Taiwan.

Israeli passport stamps
Visitors with an Israeli passport stamp are not allowed to enter a number of countries because of the Arab League boycott of Israel. Some countries, such as Austria, Canada, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom and United States, allow their nationals to hold two or more passports of their country to circumvent such travel restrictions, but some of these countries also restrict or forbid the holding of passports of more than one country (multiple citizenship).

However, since 15 January 2013, Israel no longer stamps passports at airports and land border crossings with Jordan. Instead, the entry or departure record is printed on a small paper card, called an electronic gate pass, which includes the traveler's passport data, date, visa status, and other details. The card also includes a barcode which is used to pass through the gate out of the passport control hall.

Accepted travel documents
Israel accepts passports of all member states and observer states of the United Nations, Kosovo and Taiwan.

The Haudenosaunee passport is a travel document with limited recognition issued by the Iroquois nation in Canada and the United States. For the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship, which was hosted by Israel, the Israeli government accepted the Haudenosaunee passports of the Iroquois team after communicating with the Canadian government.

West Bank and Gaza Strip
Foreign nationals who may travel to Israel without a visa or who hold an Israeli visa may also enter the West Bank on the same basis. Foreign nationals may also apply for an entry permit valid only for the West Bank. All foreign nationals need a permit to enter the Gaza Strip.

Israeli citizens may enter West Bank Areas B and C, but not West Bank Area A or the Gaza Strip, without a permit.

Palestinians registered in the West Bank need a permit to enter Israel or the Gaza Strip, and Palestinians registered in the Gaza Strip need a permit to enter Israel or the West Bank. Palestinian men over age 55 and women over age 50 registered in the West Bank, without a security restriction, receive an automatic permit to enter Israel for up to 6 months. Palestinians who receive a permit to depart from an Israeli airport may also return in the same way.

Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving to Israel were from the following countries of nationality:

2010–2000
Tourist arrivals, by country of citizenship (in thousands):

2020–2010
Tourist arrivals, by country of citizenship (in thousands):

2030–2020
Tourist arrivals, by country of citizenship (in thousands):