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AuthorizationSince 1 January 2025, every traveller exempt from a visa must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization — the ETA-IL — before travelling to Israel. This is not a visa: it is an online pre-authorisation, quick to obtain, valid for two years and allowing repeated stays of up to 90 days per visit. Here is everything you need to know to prepare your application with peace of mind.
01 · The essentials
The ETA-IL has been mandatory since 1 January 2025 for all nationals of visa-exempt countries, regardless of the option chosen.
Every step to enter Israel (ETA-IL or eVisa) is completed online — no visit to a consulate is required.
For travellers using an ETA-IL, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned entry date. Nationals who need a visa must hold 6 months' validity — a margin that several foreign ministries and airlines recommend to everyone.
The ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization Israel) is the electronic authorisation system put in place by the Israeli government for nationals of visa-exempt countries. Its entry into force on 1 January 2025 fundamentally changed the steps to be taken before any trip to Israel.
This is not a visa. Nationals of the countries concerned — including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada — were until then exempt from any administrative formality for short stays. From now on, a prior online step is mandatory, even if you are exempt from a visa.
The ETA-IL is obtained online, via the official portal of the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), or through an authorised service provider. The process is entirely paperless and does not require a visit to a consulate.
2 years from the approval date, or until the passport expires (whichever comes first).
90 days maximum per visit, with multiple entries throughout the entire validity period of the authorisation.
Allow at least 72 hours between submitting the application and departure — no expedited procedure exists.
25 shekels €7.18 in official fees, plus any service charges if you use an authorised intermediary.
Obtaining an approved ETA-IL does not constitute a guaranteed right of entry into Israel. The final decision rests with the immigration officer at the border at the time of your arrival. If your passport contains stamps from countries at war or in conflict with Israel, the authorities are entitled to question you and, if applicable, to deny you entry.
02 · Eligibility
The ETA-IL concerns all nationals of countries and territories whose citizens are exempt from a visa for Israel. The list, established and maintained by the Israeli government, covers around a hundred countries and territories and changes regularly — check your nationality against it before booking anything. Among French-speaking countries, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and Luxembourg are notably included.
Since 1 January 2025, belonging to a visa-exempt country is no longer sufficient: the ETA-IL is a prerequisite for boarding a flight to Israel. Airlines are responsible for verifying that passengers hold one before boarding.
Israeli citizens and holders of an Israeli identification number (mispar zehut) are exempt from the ETA-IL: their national travel document or identity card is sufficient to enter Israel. Likewise, holders of a valid Israeli visa do not need to apply for one.
Furthermore, if you are merely transiting through an Israeli airport without crossing the border, check with your airline regarding specific requirements.
Nationals of countries that are not exempt from a visa for Israel follow a different procedure: they must submit a traditional visa application. An eVisa-B2 programme — an electronic visa for tourism, family visits or short business trips — has been in pilot deployment for certain nationalities since February 2025, notably for holders of Indian and Sri Lankan passports residing in their country of origin. This programme, distinct from the ETA-IL, is aimed at nationals subject to a visa requirement, not at those who are exempt.
Visa exemption is never a permanent entitlement: Israel suspends and restores it in line with its diplomatic relations. Two recent changes are worth knowing before you plan your trip.
In every case, the official list of exempt countries is what counts: check it before booking anything, whatever your nationality.
03 · The procedure
The application is made entirely online. The official portal is in English — the Israeli website is not available in French — but the form remains relatively simple and guided. Each field is accompanied by clear instructions, and you can review your answers before submitting.
Please note: once the application has been submitted, it is impossible to amend the information entered. If there is an error, you will need to submit a brand new application (and pay the fees again). Take the time to check every field before confirming.
Payment is made by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard or equivalent). No free or expedited procedure exists: the indicative processing time is 72 hours from the date of payment.
Prepare a scanned copy of your passport (valid for at least 3 months from the planned entry date) and the information listed below.
Go to the website of the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) or use an authorised intermediary. The form is in English.
Fill in all sections: identity, contact details, employment status, previous travels, parents' full names, and the purpose of your visit.
This is your last opportunity to correct an error. After submission, no amendment is possible: a new application would be required.
Pay by credit or debit card. The official fee is 25 shekels €7.18. Service charges may be added depending on the channel used.
Allow at least 72 hours. Once the ETA-IL is approved, you will receive an electronic confirmation. Keep it carefully for boarding.
The Israeli official website and form are only available in English. If you are not comfortable with English or would like assistance checking your documents before submission, an authorised intermediary can handle the process for you. Note that the website specifies that uploaded documents must be perfectly legible and resized to specific formats — a common source of rejection to anticipate.
04 · Required documents
Before starting the form, make sure you have all the following information to hand. Not having it available during data entry may force you to restart the procedure from the beginning.
05 · Validity & conditions
The ETA-IL is a multiple-entry authorisation: it allows you to travel to Israel as many times as you wish during its validity period, within the limit of 90 days per visit. It is therefore not necessary to submit a new application for each trip, as long as the authorisation is still valid and your passport has not expired or changed.
However, any change of passport requires a new ETA-IL application, even if your previous authorisation has not yet expired. Similarly, any change in personal data (change of name, marital status, etc.) requires the submission of a new application.
If your ETA-IL expires while you are already in Israel, this does not affect your departure: you may leave the country normally until the end of your authorised stay (maximum 90 days per visit).
For stays exceeding 90 days, there is no automatic extension of the ETA-IL. A stay extension application must be submitted directly to the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), before the 90-day period expires.
The ETA-IL is required at every official crossing point — air, land and sea — not only at the airport. It is verified electronically when you present your passport.
Opening hours vary and some crossings may close without notice depending on the security situation. Check their status with the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) and your carrier the day before you travel.
The Israeli border police does not stamp entry or exit in foreign passports. Instead, a blue paper sticker is given to you upon arrival: it serves as your residence permit for the duration of your visit. It is essential to keep it until your departure.
06 · Before you go
Beyond the ETA-IL, a few additional precautions will allow you to approach your trip with peace of mind. The Israeli border is known for its thorough checks: it is better to arrive well prepared.
Israel and the Palestinian Territories are covered by restrictive travel advisories from many states, updated frequently. As of 27 August 2026, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (advice updated on 11 August 2026) advises against travel except for imperative reasons to Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem, and formally advises against the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, the northern border and the Golan Heights. The US Department of State, in its advisory reissued on 26 August 2026, places Israel and the West Bank at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), and Gaza together with the 4 km strip along the Lebanese and Syrian borders at Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
These advisories are issued by each government and differ from one country to another: check the advice of your country of nationality and residence before booking, along with the terms of your travel insurance — many policies exclude areas covered by an advisory. An approved ETA-IL says nothing about conditions on the ground or about air service.
The ETA-IL covers entry into Israel; access to the Palestinian Territories follows separate rules. The West Bank is reached from Israel or via the Allenby Bridge, but since October 2022 a stay of more than three months, or one motivated by professional, academic, non-profit or volunteering activity, requires prior authorisation from the Israeli authorities. Specific rules apply to spouses of Palestinians.
The Gaza Strip is not accessible to travellers. Expect checks and movement restrictions at checkpoints, including between Jerusalem and the West Bank.
If your passport contains entry or exit stamps from countries at war or in open conflict with Israel, immigration officers may question you at length or even deny you entry. This risk exists even with an approved ETA-IL: the authorisation does not guarantee access to the territory. If in doubt, check with the relevant authorities before travelling.
Submit your ETA-IL application at least 72 hours before departure — and ideally before booking flights and accommodation, to avoid unnecessary expenses in the event of a refusal.
Make sure it is valid for at least 3 months after your planned entry date and that it does not contain any stamps likely to cause problems.
The Israeli portal requires specific formats and resolutions for uploaded files. A poorly resized or illegible document may result in the application being rejected.
Upon arrival, the border officer will give you a blue paper sticker serving as your residence permit. Do not lose it: it will be requested upon departure.
The ETA-IL is an electronic travel authorisation — not a visa — mandatory since 1 January 2025 for all nationals of visa-exempt countries wishing to travel to Israel. It is applied for online, costs 25 shekels €7.18 in official fees, and can be valid for up to two years. Submit your application at least 72 hours before departure, ensure your documents meet the required formats, and keep your blue sticker throughout your stay.
Safety
The vigilance level recommended by five foreign ministries, on a shared scale.
Average level
Terrorism, unrest and regional tensions with Iranian strikes and retaliation; Gaza and several border areas are ruled out entirely.
US Department of StateAdvice dated August 26, 2026
Reconsider travel · Israel - Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Global Affairs CanadaAdvice dated September 10, 2026
Reconsider travel · Israel and Palestine — Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
German Federal Foreign OfficeAdvice dated September 15, 2026
Normal precautions · Israel: Travel and security information (Palestinian Territories - Gaza Strip)
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Advice dated July 22, 2026
Reconsider travel · Israel travel advice
France DiplomatieAdvice dated September 15, 2026
Increased caution · Israel/Palestine: Travel advice
Levels published by the ministries cited, reproduced unchanged. Visamundi is a private agency with no ties to these administrations.
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