Do you need a visa to visit Israel?
Find your nearest Israel Embassy.
Our Israel Visa Guide will teach you everything you need to know about Israel’s visa policy for people from all over the world, including different types of visas, particular requirements, visa sponsorships, visa fees, and more. It is critical to have a scheduled flight ticket in hand before applying for a visa to 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.
Africa
Botswana, Central African Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, and Swaziland
Asia
Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates
Europe
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
North America
Canada, and the United States of America
Oceania
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
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.
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.
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.
Applicants to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem typically wait three weeks for delivery, while applicants to the Branch Office in Tel Aviv wait between two and three weeks. We strongly advise you to submit your application well in advance of your trip to allow for document delivery.
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.
There are several types of visas available in Israel. Each visa is for a different purpose of stay. It is important to ensure if you require a visa, to apply for the correct one. The Israel visa types are:
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.
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.
Israel is an ultramodern nation with the largest number of doctors per capita and the world’s most enviable health and hospital system. No vaccinations are necessary to enter Israel (unless you have recently been in an area where there have been epidemics of yellow fever, cholera or ebola). In Israel, you can get the majority of over-the-counter medications that are available in North America. You may also bring your normal prescription medications with you. (If you require syringes and vials of medication, bring a letter from your physician attesting to your needs, just in case.) Check with your hotel’s concierge if you require medical care in Israel. For all international travel, travel insurance (including medical coverage) is always suggested.
The Shekel (officially “New Israeli Shekel”) is the currency of Israel and is equivalent to approximately 30 cents. Click here to get the current exchange rate. On arrival in Israel, it is advisable to use your bank card to withdraw Shekels at an ATM in the Ben Gurion International Airport arrival halls, or to exchange modest sums of U.S. dollars/travelers checks at a bank or your hotel. There are ATMs and widespread credit card acceptance throughout Israel.
