ETA-IL Application 2026 | Israel Entry Permit Guide

ETA-IL Application: Israel Entry Permit Requirements (2026 Guide)

Last updated: August 2026

Since January 1, 2025, every visitor from a visa-exempt country must hold an approved ETA-IL before boarding a flight to Israel. The application is completed online on the official PIBA portal, costs ₪25 (about $8 USD), and most travelers receive a decision within 72 hours. An approved ETA-IL is valid for up to 2 years and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit.

• At a Glance 
• Required Documents
• Eligible Countries
• How to Apply
• ETA-IL vs. Visa
• Exemptions
• Children & Minors
• At the Border
• Troubleshootin
• FAQ

ETA-IL at a Glance

• Who needs it: Citizens of ~96 visa-exempt countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, etc.)
• Application fee: ₪25 ILS (≈ $8 USD), paid by Visa/Mastercard
• Processing time: Most are approved instantly, up to 72 hours for others
• Validity: Up to 2 years, or until passport expiration, whichever comes first
• Maximum stay per visit: 90 days (tourism/business), 30 days (culture/sport activities)
• Where to apply: Official PIBA portal: israel-entry.piba.gov.il only
• When to apply: At least 72 hours before departure, apply as soon as your travel is booked

Only use the official government portal! The URL must end in piba.gov.il. Third-party sites often charge $50–$100 or more in added "service fees" on top of, or instead of, the ₪25 government charge, they are not required to obtain your permit. 

PIBA's own Help Center can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

👉 Apply for Your ETA-IL — Official PIBA Portal

Required Documents for the ETA-IL Application

• Passport: Valid, biometric preferred; a clear photo of the biographic page showing the machine-readable zone
• Passport validity: Must remain valid through your planned stay , the ETA-IL expires at passport expiration, whichever is sooner
• Email address: Required to receive the verification code and approval notice
• Payment method: Visa or Mastercard for the ₪25 government fee
• Travel details: Purpose of visit, intended entry date, and prior Israel travel/visa history if applicable
• At the border (checked by officers, not required for the application): Return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, evidence of sufficient funds
• Travel insurance is not mandated by PIBA for ETA-IL approval, but border officers may ask about it, and it's worth carrying given Israel's cost of emergency medical care.

Who Is Eligible: Visa-Exempt Countries by Region

Roughly 60–96 countries are visa-exempt, depending on how recently PIBA has updated its list , always confirm your specific nationality on the official portal before booking. Regions typically covered include:

Europe: All EU member states, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland

North America: United States, Canada, Mexico

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru

Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand

Middle East: United Arab Emirates (Abraham Accords)

Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius

Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list, including India, China, Russia, and most Middle Eastern and African nations, must apply for a standard visa through an Israeli embassy or consulate instead of using ETA-IL.

How to Apply for an ETA-IL: Step-by-Step

• Go to the official PIBA site, israel-entry.piba.gov.il , and enter your email address; a verification code is sent to confirm it.
• Enter travel details, purpose of visit (e.g., "Visit/Tourism"), intended length of stay, and whether you've previously visited Israel or held an Israeli visa.
• Upload your passport bio page, a clear JPG, JPEG, or PNG image showing the machine-readable zone at the bottom; the system auto-fills your passport data.
• Confirm document type and personal details, then review and sign the declaration.
• Pay the ₪25 government fee by Visa or Mastercard — you'll receive a payment receipt from the official system.
• Wait for the email confirmation, most applicants are approved within minutes. PIBA states a response is guaranteed within 72 hours.
• Save or print the approval, the authorization is linked electronically to your passport, but carrying a printed or digital copy is recommended for check-in.
• Present your passport at Ben Gurion Airport , approved travelers may use the automated e-gates at border control instead of waiting in the officer line.

ETA-IL vs. a Traditional Israeli Visa

Who Is Exempt From the ETA-IL

• Holders of a valid Israeli visa (B1, B3, B4, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5)
• Foreign nationals holding official Israeli travel documents, or dual nationals traveling on their Israeli passport
• Diplomats and officials on a formal government mission
• Seamen holding a valid seaman's certificate arriving at a non-sea border crossing to join a ship, and aircrew reported by their airline
• Israeli citizens and holders of an Israeli identity number
• Children and Minors

All travelers from visa-exempt countries need an approved ETA-IL before departure regardless of age, including infants. A parent or legal guardian completes and submits the application on the child's behalf, entering the minor's own passport details , a child cannot travel under a parent's ETA-IL.

What Happens at the Border

Israel has not stamped passports at airports or most land crossings since 2013. Instead, upon arrival, you receive an Electronic Gate Pass, a printed slip recording your entry date and stay category, which you should keep for the duration of your trip, as hotels and car rental agencies may ask to see it. Travelers with an approved ETA-IL can typically use the Automated Border Control kiosks at Ben Gurion Airport rather than queuing for a manual officer check, though officers retain full discretion to question you about your purpose of visit, accommodation, and length of stay, or to deny entry.

Troubleshooting Common Application Problems

• Form times out or won't submit: Switch to a different browser (Chrome or Firefox), clear your cache, or try again during off-peak hours.
• Status stuck on "pending" past 72 hours: Check your spam folder for the decision email before assuming it's delayed; if nothing arrives, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your application reference.
• No payment receipt received: If you completed payment but got no official receipt, you may have used an unofficial site rather than israel-entry.piba.gov.il. Verify the URL and contact PIBA directly.
• Passport or personal details changed after approval: A new ETA-IL is required any time your passport is renewed or your name, gender, or citizenship changes.

People Also Ask About ETA Israel

• Who needs an ETA-IL to enter Israel? Any national of a visa-exempt country, including the United States, United Kingdom, all EU member states, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, must obtain an approved ETA-IL before boarding a flight, ship, or land crossing into Israel. This has applied to all such travelers, including minors, since January 1, 2025.

• How much does the ETA-IL cost? The official ETA-IL government fee is ₪25 Israeli Shekels, roughly $8 USD, payable online by Visa or Mastercard. Third-party sites that charge significantly more are not affiliated with the Israeli government and are not required to obtain your permit.

• How long does ETA-IL approval take? Most applicants receive an automatic approval email within minutes of submitting the form and paying the fee. In cases requiring further review, a response is sent within 72 hours, so applying at least three days before departure is strongly recommended.

• How long is the ETA-IL valid, and how long can I stay? An approved ETA-IL is valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and it allows multiple entries during that window. Each visit is capped at 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

• Does an ETA-IL guarantee entry into Israel? No, the ETA-IL only authorizes you to board your flight to Israel; final entry approval is decided by a border control officer at Ben Gurion Airport or the relevant crossing. If your passport is renewed or your name, gender, or citizenship changes after approval, a new ETA-IL application is required.

FAQ

• Can I apply for an ETA-IL on the day of my flight? It's technically possible if approval is instant, but applying at least 72 hours before departure is strongly advised, since some applications require manual review that isn't completed same-day.

• Is the ETA-IL the same as an Israeli visa?No. The ETA-IL is a pre-travel screening authorization, similar to the US ESTA, that confirms you're cleared to board a flight to Israel , it is not a visa and does not replace the entry decision made by a border officer on arrival.

• What if my country isn't on the visa-exempt list? Citizens of countries not on Israel's visa-exempt list, including India, China, and Russia, cannot use the ETA-IL system and must apply for a standard entry visa through an Israeli embassy or consulate before traveling.

• Can I extend my stay beyond 90 days? Yes, but you must apply in person for a B/2 visitor extension at a PIBA office inside Israel before your initial 90-day period expires, submitting proof of accommodation and funds and paying a separate local government fee.

• Do children need their own ETA-IL? Yes. Every traveler from a visa-exempt country needs an individually approved ETA-IL regardless of age, including infants, and a parent or guardian submits the application using the child's own passport details.

👉 Start Your ETA-IL Application Now

This page is provided for informational purposes and is not affiliated with the Government of Israel. Requirements can change , always confirm current eligibility and submit your application only at the official PIBA portal, israel-entry.piba.gov.il.