ETA-IL – How to Obtain an Entry Permit to Israel
Israel has decided to change the rules for visa-free travelers. This includes passport holders from Ukraine, the U.S., Russia, Germany, and many others.
You must now get a special permit through the ETA-IL Internet system before entering the country. This is very easy to do. This page has all the information to help you fill out the application and visit Israel.
What is ETA-IL
Who Must Issue the Authorization
In short, everyone who can enter Israel without a visa must request a permit. As of today, this includes citizens of 101 countries.
Click to view the list of countries whose citizens are required to register with the ETA-IL.
Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Botswana, Bulgaria, Denmark, Dominica, Great Britain, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Vanuatu, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Eswatini (Swaziland), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Spain (biometric passport only), Monaco, Mongolia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Northern Macedonia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, UAE, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Jamaica, Japan, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Suriname, South Correia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Taiwan, Uruguay.1.
The full launch of the ETA-IL program will take place in January 2025. Until then, the system will be in test mode. Until January 1, 2025, obtaining a permit is voluntary and free of charge.
How long is the permit valid?
The approved permit is valid for up to 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
How much does it cost to register?
Applications will be processed free until 2025. After that, the price for reviewing a form will be 25 Israeli shekels (about $7 at the 2024 exchange rate).
Once you pay, you cannot get your money back, even if your application gets rejected or you make a mistake.
When to apply
You may submit the application at any time, but you must do so no later than 72 hours before arriving in Israel.
How to get authorization through ETA-IL
Below are detailed instructions on self-authorizing using the ETA-IL system on the official website.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Issuance of ETA-IL entry permits to citizens of visa-free countries.
- Visit the official website
The only site you can apply for a permit is at the link https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/apply-for-an-eta-il-1/ .
Be careful because scammers will make copies.
The system will ask for a valid email, your travel info, personal details, and a valid passport.
When everything is ready, feel free to click the Start Application button. - Familiarize yourself with the process
The next page will provide a clear explanation of the procedure to follow.
Then click the Continue to application button. - Confirm acceptance of the rules
The service rules appear in a pop-up window.
After reading, check the box I confirm the terms and conditions and then check the Continue button that appears. - Say who this application is intended for
You must select one of the options. If you are applying for yourself, select “Myself.” You will proceed to the next step.
If the app isn’t for you, please provide your info after selecting Someone else: first name, last name, passport number, country, and phone number.
To proceed, you will need to use the Verify Your Email button. - Confirm your Email
Enter your valid email address twice and click Verify your email again. This email will have a six-digit code. Enter it on the page. Then, click the button that appears to proceed.
- Provide information about your visit
Please indicate the purpose of your visit to Israel: Visit (Tourism), Business, Short term study, Work, Volunteering, Capture/Sport up to 30 days, Taglit Birthright Israel / Masa Israel, Short term foreign expert, Journalism.
The next item is the expected date of entry. The last step is the length of time you plan to stay in Israel.
- Fill out passport information
In Passport Data, enter information from the passport you will use to enter Israel (if you have more than one).
Once you have completed these fields, click Enter Personal Details.
- Enter the first part of your personal information
There are two parts to entering personal information. The first part requires you to fill in the following fields:
Additional nationals or citizenships;
Marital status;
Parents;
Contact informational;
Home Address;
Occupation.
- Fill in the second part of the personal data
The second page is much easier:
Have you visited Israel in the past? If so, enter the year of your last visit.
Have you ever applied for an Israeli visa, an ETA-IL, or a permit to visit, live, work, or study in Israel? — Have you ever applied for an Israeli visa, an ETA-IL, or a permit to visit, live, work, or study in Israel? If yes, please describe it in the extra field.
- Verify the specified data
The system will ask us to confirm our data. We must click on Confirm this section for each section.
Also, the system will ask you to check the box indicating that you agree to the rules of the service.
You can complete the application by clicking the Submit button.
- Waiting for a decision
Once the process is completed, it will present you with a page. You will be able to see your application number and the status of your application. You will also receive a decision at your email address.
As you can see, it is simple to get an entry permit to Israel through the ETA-IL system. A similar system will soon be available for visa-free travel to EU countries.
Frequent questions
In this case, you must complete and submit a new form. You must make the payment again.
If you are not going through passport control and are restricted to the transit area of the airport, you do not need an ETA-IL.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). Tourist visa requirements for foreign nationals – gov.il. GOV.IL. https://www.gov.il/en/departments/dynamiccollectors/ashrotzarim [↩]
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!