🕒 Last updated: 5 September 2026, 09:15 (Israel time) · 🔄 Reviewed monthly — no rule changes identified this cycle
Israel Tourism Intelligence Hub · ETA-IL Guide
ETA-IL is the mandatory pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travellers to Israel — ₪25, applied for online, valid up to two years. The rules are unchanged this cycle; the operational risk is unprepared clients and look-alike paid websites.
Monthly review completed 5 September 2026, Israel time. This cycle’s sweep of official and trade channels found no indication of any change to the fee, validity, or process.
The essentials
- Mandatory since 1 January 2025 for all visa-exempt nationals (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and ~90 more). Without an approved ETA-IL or valid visa, airlines deny boarding.
- Fee: ₪25 (~US$7), paid by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) in the application.
- Validity: up to 2 years or until passport expiry, whichever is first · multiple entries · up to 90 days per visit.
- Processing: most approvals are fast, but can take up to 72 hours — instruct clients to apply at least 7 days before travel.
- Not a visa and not a guarantee — final entry remains at the border officer’s discretion. Holders of valid Israeli visas (B1, B3, B4, A-series) are exempt.
⚠ The official portal — and only it
- Apply ONLY at israel-entry.piba.gov.il — the Population & Immigration Authority’s portal.
- Unofficial intermediary sites charge $30–$80+ for the same ₪25 authorization. Brief clients explicitly; include the official link in every booking confirmation.
- Each traveller applies individually (including children); the ETA-IL is linked to the specific passport — a new passport requires a new ETA-IL.
- Technical issues: official help desk eta@piba.gov.il.
Operator workflow
- At booking: send the official link + the 7-day guidance.
- T-7 days: automated reminder; collect confirmation that every traveller in the party holds approval.
- At check-in prep: passport valid 6 months beyond entry; ETA-IL matches the passport being carried.
- Land crossings: the ETA-IL requirement applies to visa-exempt entry at land borders as well — same portal, same rules.
- Extensions beyond 90 days: a separate B/2 extension process at a PIBA office inside Israel — not handled through ETA-IL.
Sources: ETA-IL official portal (PIBA), Population & Immigration Authority, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (embassies.gov.il ETA-IL notices), U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, IATA Timatic (per-nationality cross-check). Key facts last verified in full against the official portals on 19 July 2026; ⚠ UNCONFIRMED this cycle: direct portal re-verification on 5 September 2026 could not be completed from the automated review environment, and this cycle’s wider sweep found no indication of any change. Information for professional decision-making; not travel, security, legal, or financial advice. Last updated 5 September 2026, Israel time.
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