Israel ETA-IL Checklist — Who Must Apply & What You Need
The Israel ETA-IL is an electronic travel authorisation for nationals of visa-exempt countries — it is not a visa, it has been required for visa-exempt visitors since 1 January 2025, and the passport is the only document you need. Work through the stages below and tick each line. Verified against official Israeli government sources, September 2026.
Stage A — Confirm the ETA-IL is the right route
- ☐ You hold a passport from a visa-exempt country — those travellers need an ETA-IL to enter Israel.
- ☐ You are not an Israeli citizen or a permanent resident with an Israeli ID number — both are exempt.
- ☐ You are not using a diplomatic or official passport, and you are not a diplomat travelling on official duty — those holders are exempt.
- ☐ You are not a seafarer boarding a ship on a seaman's book through a non-seaport port, and not aircrew covered by the airline's notification to the authorities — both are exempt.
- ☐ If you hold a foreign passport that is already linked to your Israeli records, or you can present an Israeli passport alongside it, you do not need one.
- ☐ If your nationality requires a visa rather than an exemption, stop here — the ETA-IL is not the route for you.
Stage B — What you need to apply
- ☐ Your passport — biometric or non-biometric; the official application requirements list this single document.
- ☐ No photo is required. There is no face-photo or passport-photo upload step, unlike a visa application.
- ☐ A payment method for the fee — the official pilot phase is free, otherwise it is 25 NIS.
Stage C — Apply on the official channel only
- ☐ Start at the official portal at israel-entry.piba.gov.il — the address ends in gov.il.
- ☐ Complete the application for the passport you will travel with; the authorisation is tied to it.
- ☐ Keep the payment receipt. A genuine application always generates one — if you do not receive a receipt, the site was not official and the authorisation is not real.
Stage D — Wait for the decision
- ☐ An answer arrives by email within 72 hours of submission.
- ☐ There is no expedited option — build the 72 hours into your plans and do not book travel that depends on a faster answer.
Stage E — Know what your ETA-IL allows
- ☐ It is valid for up to 2 years, or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first.
- ☐ Once approved you may stay up to 90 days per entry.
- ☐ Changed your name, gender or nationality? You must submit a new application — the existing authorisation no longer matches.
Three things that trip people up
- Paying on a lookalike site — only gov.il addresses are official, and no receipt means no valid application.
- Leaving it too late — the answer takes up to 72 hours and cannot be rushed.
- Changing your passport details later — a new name, gender or nationality means a fresh application.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs an Israel ETA-IL?
It is for nationals of visa-exempt countries travelling to Israel for tourism, business or family visits. Travellers from visa-required countries must apply for a visa instead, and Israeli citizens and residents do not need one.
Do I need a photo for the ETA-IL?
No. The passport is the only document listed for the application — biometric or non-biometric. Unlike a visa, there is no photo upload step.
How long is an ETA-IL valid?
Up to 2 years, or until the passport you applied with expires — whichever comes first. A change of name, gender or nationality requires a new application.
How much does the ETA-IL cost and how long does it take?
The fee is 25 NIS — free while the pilot phase runs. You get an answer by email within 72 hours, and there is no expedited option, so apply well before you travel.
How do I know I am on the official ETA-IL site?
Apply only through israel-entry.piba.gov.il (the address ends in gov.il). A genuine application produces a payment receipt — if you do not receive one, you were not on the official site.
Fees, validity and decision times were checked against official Israeli government sources in September 2026; the fee and the pilot-phase exemption can change, so re-check the official portal before you apply. Make sure your passport itself is in order first: see Israel passport photo requirements and our guide to passport validity rules.
Related: browse every format in the photo size chart and see all destinations on the visa checklists hub.