Visitors to Israel must obtain a visa unless they are nationals of one of the visa-exempt countries and obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL). Nationals of certain countries may apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) online, while others must obtain a visa from an Israeli diplomatic mission.
Nationals of the following countries may enter Israel without a visa for tourist, business or study purposes for up to 90 days, or for culture or sport activities for up to 30 days.
From 1 January 2025, they must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before travelling to Israel. The ETA-IL costs ILS25 and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first.[1][2]
Kazakhstan – On 19 August 2024, Israel and Kazakhstan discussed the possibility of establishing a visa exemption agreement.[96]
Electronic visa (e-Visa)
Nationals of the following countries may apply online for an electronic visa (e-Visa), valid for up to 90 days for tourism, business, short study or medical treatment:[97][98]
In 2025, the Israeli government planned to expand the e-Visa for nationals of more countries.[99] In February 2025, Sri Lanka was also added to the list after India.[1]
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.[104]
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 short study up to 90 days.
₪25
e-Visa
Electronic visa for nationals of visa required countries for tourism, business, or short study up to 90 days.
₪100
Visitor visa
For nationals of visa-required countries for tourism, business or study up to 90 days.
₪100 €26 US$27
Visitor visa extension
Extension of visit for tourism, business or study.[105]
The Israeli investor visa is in reciprocity to the United StatesE-1 and E-2 visas for nationals of the United States, which allows the visa holders and their family members to live and work temporarily in Israel.[109][110]
US$222 €213
Student visa
Student visa is categorized as A/2 visa and as multiple entry visa.[111] Student visa is valid to one year with extension possibility. The visa is valid for one of the recognized academic institutions in Israel. Student with A/2 visa in general aren't allowed to work in Israel, but with some exceptions to students who work in the academic field or as part of the program, which are usually PhD students and in some cases also MA students.[112]
From 3,237 PhD students in Israel 2023, 1,824 where foreign PhD students and almost half of the foreign PhD students in Israel are Indians.[113]
Work visa is categorized as B/1 and can be given by different ways. B/1 is given differently, depending on the sector, Expert foreign workers,[114] Foreign workers in the nursing care sector (Caregiver),[115] or Foreign workers in the agriculture and construction sectors,[116] and other types.
A special program provides work visas for nationals of countries that are exempt from the visitor visa requirement who are hired by an Israeli high-tech company with a salary at least double the average wage in Israel. Nationals of Ukraine are exempt from minimum salary requirement.[118]
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.[119]
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).[citation needed]
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.[133]
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.[142] All foreign nationals need a permit to enter the Gaza Strip.[143]
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.[134]
Validity for other countries
Israeli visas or residency permits can be valid as substitute visas for the following countries:
Georgia – Holders of valid Israeli visas or residency permits may enter Georgia without an additional visa for 90 days every 180 days with the requirement to show evidence of a valid Israeli visa or residency permit.[145]
History
In 1952, the Knesset passed the law "The entry law to Israel" which describes the first official entry policy of Israel. The law permits four types of visas for foreigners, transit visa (5 days), visit visa (3 months), temporary resident visa (3 years), and permanent visa.[146] During the 50s' discussions on visa free took place as in 1955 the Israeli government decided to exempt visa fees from visitors from United States, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and Luxemburg to boost the early tourism sector.[147][148]
Visa-exempt countries in 1966:
Ordinary passports: Uruguay, Iceland, Argentina, USA, Brazil, Denmark, Switzerland, UK, Liechtenstein, Norway, Finland, Chile, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxemburg. Diplomatic and service passports: Austria, Italy, El Salvador, Belgium, Dahomey, The Netherlands, Switzerland, The Philippines, Brazil, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Tanganyika, Luxemburg, Liberia, Niger, France, Colombia, Costa Rica, Thailand, Togo, Honduras, Sierra Leone, and Congo Leopoldville.[147][149][150][151]
In 1967, Israel started to consider the visa exemption of German diplomatic and service passports as Germany promised not to allow Germans with Nazi backgrounds to use the visa exemption. In the same year Israel also exempted German passport from visa.[152][153][23] Israel signed visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports with the United Kingdom, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland in 1967.[152][154] For the international tourism year of 1967 Israel called in the UN to other countries to extend their visa exemptions for tourist to boost tourism and the share of cultures.[152][155]
Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving in Israel were from the following countries of nationality:
Tourist arrivals, by country of citizenship (in thousands) since 2020
Overstaying tourists are visitors with B2 visa who haven't left Israel after their visa period is expired (mostly 3 months) and they haven't extended their B2 visa or changed to other type of visa. In many cases of the overstaying tourists, are tourist who also work illegally without work permit in Israel.
12Legal overstaying for humanitarian reasons due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Citizens of Ukraine are allowed to overstay and work in Israel.[231][232]
References
12"ETA-IL". Israel Population and Immigration Authority.
↑"一部旅券査証及び査証料の相互免除に関する日本国政府とイスラエル政府との間の取極（口上書）"[Arrangement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Israel concerning reciprocal exemption of certain passport visas and visa fees (verbal note)](PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 21 April 1971. Archived(PDF) from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
↑"Dohoda SR s Izraelom o zrušení vízovej povinnosti"[Agreement between the Slovak Republic and Israel on the abolition of the visa requirement]. Noveaspi.sk (in Slovak). Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
↑"נוהל תיאום כניסת זרים לרצועת עזה"[Procedure for coordinating the entry of foreigners to the Gaza Strip](PDF) (in Hebrew). Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories. June 2015.
1British Overseas Territories. 2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia. 3 Partially recognized. 4Unincorporated territory of the United States. 5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 6Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia. 7 Unrecognized state.
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