Israel Entry Requirements For Tourists In 2026

If you are planning a short stay trip to Israel, whether for tourism, a pilgrimage, or a brief business visit, the entry rules can feel more complicated than for many destinations. New electronic authorization requirements, intensive security screening, and specific procedures at land borders with Jordan and Egypt all mean you should understand the process before you book. This guide focuses on short stay visitors who plan to enter Israel itself, usually by air into the Tel Aviv area, or overland from neighboring countries. It explains how the new ETA IL system works, who still needs a visa, what documents you should carry, and what to expect at the border. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the details can change quickly, so you must confirm them with official authorities before you travel. ## Entry Snapshot For most tourists and typical business travelers, entering Israel is straightforward if you prepare in advance. Citizens of many countries in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia Pacific are visa exempt for short visits but now need an approved ETA IL, Israel's electronic travel authorization, before boarding a flight. Nationals of other countries must apply for a B 2 visitor visa at an Israeli embassy or consulate before departure. Typical stays for tourists are up to 90 days, but final admission and length of stay are always decided by Israeli border officers when you arrive. ## Who Can Visit And For How Long Short stay entry to Israel depends heavily on your citizenship, and sometimes on your place of residence or registration. If you hold a passport from a country on Israel's visa exemption list, you can usually visit for tourism or short business trips without applying for a traditional visa, as long as you obtain ETA IL approval in advance. This applies to many European Union states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other partners, but the exact list is defined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can change. ETA IL approvals typically allow stays of up to 90 days per visit for tourism or business, within a broader pattern that Israeli authorities treat as short stay. Your actual permission to stay is written on the entry card you receive instead of a passport stamp, and border officers can grant a shorter period if they decide your itinerary or circumstances justify it. If you are from a country that is not visa exempt, you normally need a B 2 visitor visa before travel, regardless of ETA IL. The visa will state the maximum duration and purpose that Israeli authorities have approved for your visit, but again, border officers can shorten or in rare cases cancel that permission at entry. A few specific groups have separate arrangements. For example, some Palestinian Americans and other travelers registered in the Palestinian population registry enter under tailored rules described by Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, usually with a B 2 visa and additional conditions. These frameworks are complex and can change quickly, so you should always check the most recent official guidance and consider seeking advice from a qualified attorney if you fall into any special category. Regardless of where you are from, you should never plan to overstay your permitted time. Overstays can lead to detention, removal, and bans on future entry, and they may affect your ability to visit other countries in the region. ## Visa Options And Common Exemptions For short stay visitors, you will usually fit into one of these pathways. ### 1. Visa exempt with ETA IL If your nationality is on Israel's visa exemption list, you generally do not need a traditional visa for tourism or short business visits, but you must secure ETA IL approval before your trip. ETA IL is an electronic travel authorization that you apply for online through the Population and Immigration Authority's official portal. You provide personal details, passport information, and basic travel plans, pay a modest fee, and receive a yes or no decision electronically. Approvals are valid for multiple short visits over a period that is usually up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, but they do not guarantee entry. Airlines and other carriers are expected to check that you hold a valid ETA IL or visa before allowing you to board, so you should complete this step well before your departure date rather than treating it as a last minute formality. ### 2. B 2 tourist and visitor visa If your passport is not eligible for visa exemption, or if you plan activities that fall outside standard tourism or business visits, you will probably need a B 2 visitor visa issued by an Israeli consulate or embassy before travel. This involves submitting an application form, passport copy, photographs, proof of travel plans, and sometimes letters of invitation or other supporting documents, then waiting for a decision. Processing times can vary significantly depending on your nationality, local staffing, and security considerations. You should apply well in advance and avoid buying nonrefundable tickets until you have your visa in hand. ### 3. Group and special purpose visas Israel also operates group visa schemes through licensed Israeli travel agents for certain nationalities, and specific visa categories for study, work, volunteering, or long term religious programs. These are outside the scope of a standard tourist guide. If you believe you might fit one of these paths, talk to the sponsoring institution and review official information carefully. In any case, remember that even with a visa or ETA IL, border control officers will check your documents and plans and retain full discretion to refuse entry. ## Documents You Should Prepare Before Travel Strong documentation makes your arrival smoother, especially in a country where security screening is thorough. At a minimum, you should plan to carry: * A valid passport that will still be valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry date, even though Israeli rules often speak in terms of 90 days minimum validity. * A printed or digital copy of your ETA IL approval, if applicable, or your visa. * A return or onward ticket that matches the stay you are requesting. * Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings, rental confirmations, or a clear invitation letter if you are staying with friends or relatives. * Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, for example, recent bank statements, credit cards, or a letter from an employer confirming that they will cover your expenses. * Travel insurance details, including coverage for medical care and emergency evacuation, which is not always a formal entry requirement but is strongly recommended in most foreign government advisories for Israel and the surrounding territories. Border officers may also ask for a day by day outline of your itinerary, contact details for people you will visit, or documentation related to work, study, or religious activities if these are part of your trip. The more clearly your documents tell the same story you present verbally, the less likely you are to face delays. Israel normally issues you an entry card at the border instead of stamping your passport. Keep this card with your passport at all times, since hotels and sometimes police or airport staff may ask to see it to confirm your legal status in the country. If you plan onward travel to countries that restrict entry to people who have visited Israel, you should pay attention to how your trip might be visible through exit stamps from Jordan or Egypt and through electronic border records, not just physical passport stamps. When in doubt, check those countries' official entry rules in advance. ## What To Expect At The Border ### Airports Most international visitors arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, with smaller numbers using other airports when they are open to foreign traffic. Israel is known for having multiple layers of security screening, some of which occur before you ever reach passport control. At departure airports, including those outside Israel, you may face detailed security interviews at check in, baggage screening, and questions about your travel history, contacts in Israel, and items in your luggage. Airline staff and security contractors can deny boarding if they believe you pose a risk or do not meet entry requirements. On arrival, you will proceed to passport control, where you present your passport, ETA IL approval or visa, and any other supporting documents. Many travelers are processed quickly and receive an entry card showing their permitted stay. Others may be sent to a secondary screening area for more questions or background checks, especially if their circumstances are complex or if they have frequent travel in the region. Questions can cover your occupation, the purpose of your visit, where you will stay, previous visits to Israel or neighboring countries, and any contacts you plan to meet. You should answer truthfully and calmly. Attempts to hide your real intentions, even for non security reasons, can lead to refusal of entry. ### Land borders with Jordan and Egypt Land crossings between Israel and Jordan, such as the Allenby or King Hussein Bridge near Jericho, the Sheik Hussein Bridge in the north, and the Wadi Araba crossing near Eilat and Aqaba, remain important gateways for regional itineraries. Crossings with Egypt, especially at Taba near Eilat, also see significant tourist traffic. At these borders, you will typically clear exit formalities on one side, travel by bus or car through a controlled zone, then complete entry formalities on the other. Procedures can take longer than at airports, especially during peak seasons or periods of heightened security. Some nationalities need a visa specifically aligned with their border crossing plans, and certain travelers, such as West Bank ID holders, are restricted to particular routes. Before planning overland sectors, review both Israel's entry rules and the neighboring country's exit and reentry policies, and allow generous time in case queues or security checks are extended. Our coverage of Jordan's Allenby Bridge border delays provides additional context on this particularly sensitive crossing. ### Seaports and cruise arrivals If you arrive on a cruise ship to ports like Haifa or Ashdod, Israeli authorities normally coordinate immigration procedures with the cruise line. You may complete immigration formalities on board or in a dedicated terminal. Requirements are broadly similar to air arrivals: passport, ETA IL or visa if required, and supporting documents if border officers ask. ## When Rules Are Different Some situations are much more complex than standard tourism or short business travel. In these cases, this guide can only point you in the right direction, not provide detailed solutions. Rules are different if you: * Are a dual national of Israel and another country, or you are eligible for Israeli citizenship through descent. Israel may treat you as an Israeli national for entry and exit, which can affect your obligations and your ability to use a foreign passport. * Hold Palestinian documents or are registered in a Palestinian population registry, including many West Bank or Gaza residents and some Palestinian diaspora travelers. * Plan to work, volunteer, or study for more than a very short program, which usually requires a specific work or student visa and sometimes additional security clearance. * Intend to spend significant time in the West Bank or travel close to Gaza or other conflict affected borders, where security restrictions and movement rules change frequently. * Have a history of overstays in Israel or other countries, criminal convictions, or prior refusals of entry. * Are traveling with minors without both parents, or as an unaccompanied minor, which can trigger extra documentation requirements such as notarized consent letters. If any of these apply to you, you should seek advice from the relevant Israeli embassy or consulate and, where appropriate, from a qualified immigration or travel law attorney in your home country before you rely on this guide. In sensitive cases, it is usually better to obtain written confirmation of your status or permissions in advance. ## Where To Confirm The Latest Rules Because Israel's security and political context is fluid, entry rules and border practices can change at short notice. Before you book, and again shortly before you travel, you should verify the latest information from several official sources. Start with the Israel Population and Immigration Authority's ETA IL portal and related pages, which explain who needs ETA IL, how to apply, and technical details about validity and permitted purposes. Next, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pages on tourist visas and the list of countries that are exempt or that require B 2 visas. These tables clarify whether you should use ETA IL or apply through an embassy. Then, review your own government's travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, which will give you a sense of current security conditions, land border disruptions, and any special recommendations based on your nationality. For example, the United States and Canada publish detailed advisories covering terrorism risk, civil unrest, and the status of land crossings with Jordan and Egypt. If your situation involves Palestinian documentation, dual nationality, long term stays, or other complex factors, consult the specific guidance that Israel's COGAT or other agencies publish for those categories, and consider professional legal advice. Always remember that this guide is general information and that border and consular authorities make the final decisions about who may enter and on what terms. ## Before You Book Putting everything together, the most practical way to approach Israel's entry system is to work step by step. First, confirm whether your nationality is visa exempt and whether you need ETA IL or a B 2 visa. Use only official Israeli sites or trusted embassy pages for this, and be wary of third party visa services that add unnecessary fees. Second, check your passport. If it does not have at least six months of remaining validity and at least one blank page, renew it well before your trip, even if Israel's formal rule is a shorter validity. Third, assemble and print key documents, including your ETA IL approval or visa, flights, accommodation details, insurance, and proof of funds. Carry more documentation rather than less, as long as it is consistent and truthful. Fourth, prepare yourself mentally for more detailed security questioning than you might experience in many other destinations. Answer questions clearly, stay patient, and do not try to conceal previous travel or alternate plans in the region. Finally, in the week before your departure, recheck both Israeli government sources and your home country's travel advisory for any new restrictions, land border closures, or airline schedule changes. If your circumstances are unusual, or if you are unsure how new rules affect you, speak with a qualified immigration attorney or directly with an Israeli consulate. If you follow these steps, treat this guide as a planning tool instead of a final authority, and rely on official updates for the last word, you will be much better positioned for a smooth arrival under Israel's evolving entry requirements. ## Sources * [Israel Population and Immigration Authority, ETA IL official portal](https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/) * [ETA IL topic page, Gov.il](https://www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/eta-il/govil-landing-page) * [Tourist Visa Requirements for Foreign Nationals, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel](https://www.gov.il/en/pages/tourist-visa-table) * [Apply for tourist and visitor entry visas, Gov.il](https://www.gov.il/en/service/request_for_tourist_visa_b2) * [Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, U.S. Department of State country information](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/IsraeltheWestBankandGaza.html) * [Israel, West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory, U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/israel-west-bank-and-gaza-travel-advisory.html) * [Travel advice and advisories for Israel and Palestine, Government of Canada](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/israel-and-palestine) * [Entry of Palestinian American tourists into Israel, COGAT](https://govextra.gov.il/cogat/visa-en/entry-of-palestinian-american-tourists-into-israel/) * [Israeli passport stamp practices, Tourist Israel](https://www.touristisrael.com/israeli-passport-stamp-what-to-know/)