Visa-exempt travelers to Israel will be required to have an ETA-IL authorization starting January 1, 2025.
Initially, the electronic travel authorization requirement for visa-exempt travelers to Israel was set to take effect on August 1 of this year. However, the Israeli government has decided to postpone this requirement until January 1, 2025.
In a statement released yesterday, Israeli authorities announced that “the ETA-IL pilot period will continue until January 2025. Until then, submitting an application is voluntary, and travelers may enter Israel without an ETA-IL application”.
Since its introduction on July 1, 2024, the electronic travel authorization for Israel (ETA-IL) has been available free of charge and will remain free until the end of the year. “No fee will be charged for requests submitted during the pilot period”, explained Israeli authorities.
Airlines behind the delay of ETA-IL to 2025
“Starting from January 1st, 2025, submitting an ETA-IL application will become mandatory” for travelers from the 99 countries and territories exempt from needing a visa to enter Israel.
This decision by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) follows numerous requests from airlines for more time to prepare for the implementation of this new travel requirement.
Travelers can still voluntarily apply for an ETA-IL now, as the authorization is currently free and valid for unlimited entries of up to 90 days in Israel over two years.
Beginning January 1, 2025, a fee of 25 NIS (approximately 7 USD) will be charged for issuing the ETA-IL.
