Starting July 1, 2024, the pilot phase of the ETA-IL system will be implemented. Starting August 1, 2024, foreign citizens from visa-exempt countries will not be able to enter Israel without previous registration through the ETA-IL system.
The ETA – IL system pilot period is scheduled to be open for all the foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries on 1 July 2024.
Please be informed that according to the information received by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), during the pilot period (July 1 – July 31, 2024), foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries will be able to fill out an application form for travel to Israel for purposes of tourism.
The foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries who will take part in the pilot will receive an ETA-IL approval which will remain valid for up to two years, or until his/her current passport expires – whichever comes first. During the pilot period, the application will be free of charge. After the pilot period the ETA-IL will cost NIS 25.
Starting from August 1st 2024, foreign citizens will not be able to arrive in Israel without an ETA-IL approval or a valid visa.
Following is the link to the ETA-IL system: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/
Relevant information:
A. As of August 1st 2024, anyone traveling to Israel must have a valid visa or ETA-IL approval before they start their journey to Israel.
B. All visitors from visa-exempt countries can apply for traveling through the ETA-IL system. Those who are eligible will be able to travel to Israel, and stay for up to 90 days or less upon receipt of approval to enter.
C. ETA-IL approval will remain valid for up to 2 years, or until your current passport expires – whichever comes first. This means that as long as you received an ETA-IL authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.
D. If you obtain a new passport or change your name, gender or country of citizenship, you will be required to apply for a new travel authorization.
E. An ETA - IL will costs NIS 25, although during the pilot (July 1 – July 31, 2024) phase the application will be free of charge.
F. All eligible visitors of any age and passport (biometric and non-biometric) should apply for ETA-IL.
G. Accredited diplomats will be exempted from applying through the ETA-IL system.
H. In order to assist applicants, a service center will be available to those who encounter technical problems or other substantive issues. The contact address for the service center is eta@piba.gov.il
I. The system will open to apply for all nationalities on July 1st, 2024, and no traveler will not be able to arrive to Israel without an ETA-IL approval as of August 1st 2024.
J. The purpose of the pilot is to run the system and examine the process of submitting the application before the mandatory obligation to submit the application. During this period the request will be voluntary only for visitors who are interested in it from the countries participating in the pilot.
K. Diplomats who are on an official mission or assignment will be exempted from applying through the ETA-IL system (Diplomatic, Service & Official passports).
L. A seafarer who holds a seaman's book, and arrives at a non-maritime border crossing to join a ship and holds a passport and citizenship of a visa-exempt country will be exempted from applying through the ETA-IL system.
M. Air crew on a mission, which is reported by the airline, will be exempted from applying through the ETA-IL system.
N. An Israeli individual who wishes to use their foreign passport will only be exempted from applying through the ETA-IL system if their foreign passport is linked to their Israeli record or if they present their Israeli passport together with their foreign passport.
O. For any further questions from airlines regarding ETA-IL approval verification or passenger boarding approval verification, please contact the API center.
P. ETA-IL approvals will be checked against the API.
Q. The State of Israel reserves the right to change its requirements regarding the obligation to complete the ETA-IL form at any time.