Visa policy of Israel
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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 January 2025, all visitors from visa-exempt countries must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before traveling to Israel.[1]
Visa policy map
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Visa_policy_of_Israel.svg/650px-Visa_policy_of_Israel.svg.png)
Visa exemption
[edit]Ordinary passports
[edit]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 January 2025, 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.[1][2]
Date of visa changes | ||
---|---|---|
Unknown: Andorra, Chile, El Salvador, Germany, Grenada, Italy, Macau, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Slovenia, Suriname, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City
Canceled: Unknown: Central African Republic, Nicaragua[68]
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Conditional exemption
[edit]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.[2]
Proposed exemptions
[edit]Kosovo – On 18 June 2024, Israel and Kosovo signed a visa waiver agreement, to take effect on 19 September 2024.[6]
Seychelles – On 11 January 2024, Israel and Seychelles signed a visa exemption agreement.[70]
Reciprocity
[edit]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.[71] 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.[72]
Non-ordinary passports
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Visa_policy_of_Israel_map_D-S_%28June_2024%29.svg/600px-Visa_policy_of_Israel_map_D-S_%28June_2024%29.svg.png)
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.[2]
In addition, holders of diplomatic and service passports of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, China, Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, India, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan,[c] 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.[2]
History |
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Israel and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports on 19 November 1963 and 14 April 1964, and it came into force on 28 July 1964.[73] Date of cancellation is unknown. Israel and Liberia signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports on 17 July and 3 August 1961, and it came into force on 1 November 1961.[74] Date of cancellation for holders of service passports is unknown. Israel and Tanganyika (succeeded by Tanzania) signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports on 16 and 17 September 1963, and it came into force on 17 September 1963.[75] Date of cancellation is unknown. Israel and Bolivia signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports on 10 and 16 August 1972, and it came into force on 16 October 1972.[76] Date of cancellation is unknown. |
Visa categories
[edit]Category | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Temporary resident | A/1 | Aliyah visa | For those eligible for immigration by the Law of Return (aliyah).[77] |
A/2 | Student visa | For those who want to study in a recognized academic institution.[78] | |
Yeshiva visa | For those who want to study in a yeshiva.[78] | ||
A/3 | Clergy visa | For clergymen for the purpose of long-term fulfilling their clerical duties among their religious communities in Israel, pursuant to the invitation of a recognized religious institution in Israel. | |
A/4 | Family of holders of A/2 and A/3 visas | For spouses and minor children of recipients of A/2 or A/3 visas.[79] | |
A/5 | Temporary resident visa | General temporary resident visa for any other reason that is not under A/1, A/2, A/3, or A/4 visas. Usually for partners of Israeli citizens or for humanitarian reasons. | |
Work | B/1 | Work visa | For those whose stay in Israel is approved for a limited period of time for the purpose of work. |
Working holiday visa | For nationals of certain countries between the ages of 18 and 30 years. | ||
Visitor | B/2 | ETA-IL | Electronic travel authorization for nationals of visa-exempt countries for tourism, business or study up to 90 days. |
Visitor visa | For nationals of visa-required countries for tourism, business or study up to 90 days. | ||
Visitor visa extension | Extension of visit for tourism, business or study.[80] | ||
Doubtful status | B/3 | Doubtful status visa[81] | For those whose entry status is not clear. Valid for one month, during which the applicant may reclassify the entry status.[82] |
Volunteer | B/4 | Volunteer visa | For volunteers in a recognized organization, institute or settlement.[83]
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Electronic visa
[edit]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.[84][85]
Working holiday visa
[edit]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.[86]
In 2023, Israel signed agreements for a working holiday visa with Japan[87] and Taiwan.[88]
Israeli passport stamps
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Israel_Entry_Paper.jpg/220px-Israel_Entry_Paper.jpg)
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.[89]
Accepted travel documents
[edit]Israel accepts passports of all member states and observer states of the United Nations, Kosovo and Taiwan.[2][90]
The Haudenosaunee passport is a travel document with limited recognition issued by the Iroquois nation in Canada and the United States.[91] 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.[92][93]
West Bank and Gaza Strip
[edit]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.[94] All foreign nationals need a permit to enter the Gaza Strip.[95]
Israeli citizens may enter West Bank Areas B and C, but not West Bank Area A or the Gaza Strip, without a permit.[90][96]
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.[90]
Visitor statistics
[edit]Most visitors arriving to Israel were from the following countries of nationality:
2010–2000
[edit]Tourist arrivals, by country of citizenship (in thousands):[97][98][99][100][101][102] [103][104][105][106][107]
Country | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 488.5 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 74.6 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 202.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 176.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 201.2 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 171.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 55.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 65.6 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 7.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 38.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 91.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 25.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 15.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 11.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 32.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 9.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 39.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 23.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 16.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 22.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 24.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 37.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 22.7 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 20.6 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 37.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 25.7 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 77.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 9.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 24.1 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 9.2 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 13.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 15.7 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 23.5 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 11.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 41.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 18.1 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 9.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 14.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 18.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 6.2 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 13.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 10.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 14.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 9.7 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 5.8 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 3.6 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 4.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2.4 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 9.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 1.1 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2.4 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 4.2 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 1.9 | ![]() | ![]() | 3.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 4.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 1.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 4.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2.7 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.3 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 7.1 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 1.3 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2.7 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | 2.8 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 5.9 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 4.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 12.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 1.5 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 3.3 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 3.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 0.1 | ![]() | ![]() | 2.6 |
![]() | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 0.3 | 0.3 | ![]() | ![]() | 15.6 |
Grand total | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 1,902.8 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 2,416.8 |
2020–2010
[edit]Tourist arrivals, by country of citizenship (in thousands):[108][109][110][111][112][113] [114][115][116][117][118]
Country | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 605.1 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 274.1 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 316.3 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 318.7 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 171.5 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 69.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 168.8 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 150.2 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 38.5 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 55.3 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 30.0 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 59.7 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 70.2 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | 53.4 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |