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Israel visas

Whether you need a visa for Israel — and which one — depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Nationals of visa-exempt countries must hold an approved ETA-IL travel authorisation before boarding, while others apply for a consular entry visa or an eVisa-B2; longer stays for work, study, family or immigration are handled through dedicated permit categories. Immigration matters are administered by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) within the Ministry of the Interior, with entry visas issued through Israeli embassies and consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israeli visa application at a glance

From start to finish in five simple steps.

  1. 01Choose the right visa
  2. 02Check eligibility & documents
  3. 03Apply online
  4. 04Provide biometrics
  5. 05Wait for a decision
See the full application process

Who needs a visa to visit Israel?

All citizens of the countries listed below who possess a valid national and official passport are granted an automatic 90-day visa upon arrival. Most of these visas are free, with an asterisk denoting the countries that must pay. The fee and application must be processed at your country's Israeli embassy.

Botswana, Central African Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, and Swaziland

Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Man and Canal Islands, Moldova*(only with a biometric passport), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia(Requires Multi-factor Authentication), San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom

Canada, and the United States of America

Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu

South & Central America

Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay

Entry into Israel

No longer is it necessary to complete the Israel Entry Form.

Anyone (of any age) who experiences symptoms of illness within 10 days of their arrival in Israel is required to have a PCR test. Unlike antigen tests, PCR tests can detect newly introduced variations in Israel.

Who may sit for the exam?

Those who have presented one of the following documents within the past 20 days: a flight ticket, cruise ticket, or confirmation of payment of a land travel cost. Those over the age of 30 may take a PCR test without producing one of the documents listed above. Do not board a plane or ship to Israel if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not yet recovered in line with Israeli policy and the protocol of your country of origin.

Currently, the Israel Entry Form is not required, nor is a recovery or vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test result required in order to enter Israel. However, these are the requirements established by the Israeli Ministry of Health; you should also verify the airline or cruise line's guidelines.

Eligibility to apply for a Israel visa

There is a criteria for travellers wanting to travel to Israel. It is important to follow this criteria and provide all relevant documents needed in order to travel. The criteria is listed below.

  • A passport valid for at least six months upon entry, with two visa pages remaining vacant.
  • Evidence of adequate funds, such as bank statements or cash.
  • Evidence of onward and return flight tickets.
  • Documents proving the reason of the journey.
  • If required, a visa for the following destination.

Processing time for Israel visas

From application to delivery, it typically takes three weeks for applicants to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and two to three weeks for applicants to the Branch Office in Tel Aviv. We strongly advise you to apply well in advance of your trip to ensure sufficient time for document delivery.

Who can visit Israel without a visa?

Residents from the following Countries do not require a visa when travelling to Israel. Any Countries not on this list will require a visa before entering.

  • Albania Andorra Argentina Australia 2 Bahamas Barbados Belarus 2 Belize Botswana Brazil Canada Central African Republic Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominica 2 Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Eswatini Fiji Georgia Grenada Guatemala Haiti — Honduras Hong Kong Iceland Jamaica Japan Lesotho Liechtenstein Macao Malawi Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova 3 Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Nauru New Zealand North Macedonia Norway Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru — Philippines Poland Russia 2 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino Serbia Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa 2 South Korea Suriname Switzerland Taiwan 2 Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States 2 Uruguay Vanuatu Vatican City

What to do if your visa to Israel is refused?

Remain composed yet firm. Remember that you are not the only person who has been denied entry, and that many others have gained entry even after being denied, some by filing an appeal on the spot and others by returning a few days/weeks later. Determine who is delivering the denial of entrance notice, such as the Ministry of the Interior, COGAT, Border Patrol, etc. Ask for the person's name and the organisation they represent.

Protest the denial of entrance order to the Israeli official who issued it by stating your intent to appeal and requesting an explanation. If the individual is uncooperative, request to see their superior and be sure to get this person's name as well. If the denial occurs at an airport, you always have the right to refuse denial of entrance and pursue legal action. If you choose this course of action, you should be represented by an attorney. Below is a list of qualified attorneys. Note that if you choose the legal route, you will be held in an airport detention centre until a decision is made on your case.

For US citizens, we were informed that the US Embassy/American Citizen Services cannot "fight" on their behalf, but is responsible for ensuring their welfare and communication with family, as well as attempting to ensure that their detention conditions meet their basic needs. We think that the same holds true for any foreign consulate. Attempt to contact someone who is not with you immediately so they can be informed of your predicament and make calls on your behalf. Americans can call the US Embassy from the airport to file complaints at 03-510-3822 or the US Consulate from the bridge to report denied entry at 02-622-7230.

Other nationalities must call their embassy in Israel to report an incident as it occurs, or their nearest embassy following deportation. This page contains contact information for various consulates in Israel.

Dispute the denial in an Israeli court. JLAC/Hamoked/Al-Haq is able to aid. JLAC's telephone number is 02-298-7981, and it offers free advice. Report the incident to the Campaign for the Right to Enter via our downloadable form or, if you are a US citizen, at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination website, or fill out the form online.

Israel — key facts

Visa authority
Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), Ministry of the Interior
Application
Online (in most cases)
Biometrics
Usually required
Currency
Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
Time zone
Israel Standard Time (UTC+2), Asia/Jerusalem

Israeli visas — people also ask

  • Citizens of the United States and Canada require only a passport valid for at least six months beyond their date of entry into Israel. (For visits up to three months, a visa is not required.) If you are not a citizen of the United States or Canada, the same rules apply to citizens of most western nations.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.