Israel is Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, ancient monuments, delicious food and endless political discussions, which are sometimes no less exciting than excursions! But from January 1, 2025, an innovation is being introduced - ETA-IL: this is an electronic entry permit, which now requires to be issued to everyone who decides to visit the country. Let's figure out what this document is and why it is needed at all.
What is ETA-IL?
From January 1, 2025, if you decide to travel to Israel, you will have to apply for an electronic ETA-IL permit. This requirement applies to citizens of all countries with which Israel has a visa-free regime. Not the most joyful news, you will agree - we are used to the fact that it is enough to buy a ticket and go, and now another step is added to this - the registration of ETA-IL.
The process of obtaining a permit is simple, but requires attention. You will need to fill out a questionnaire on the website of the Population and Migration Authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Israel, indicating your passport number, date of birth, contact details and a little other personal information.
Here is another interesting point: until January 1, the permit could be issued free of charge, and now it will cost 25 shekels.
How to apply for an ETA-IL: what you need to know
The process of applying for an ETA-IL, in principle, is not so complicated: on the website, fill out a questionnaire, indicate your passport number, date of birth, marital status and contact details, write whether you have been to Israel before, what is the date of your planned entry.
At the same time, air tickets are not required at the time of application - on the contrary, the Israeli authorities advise not to buy them before submitting an application. Why? Apparently, to avoid unnecessary costs in case of refusal of permission.
It will take 10-15 minutes to fill out the application form, after which you are given up to 72 hours to review the application (this means that you should apply at least three days before the trip). But don't worry, the answer comes quickly enough!
ETA-IL will not be required for holders of a permanent residence permit, holders of B1, B3, B4, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 visas, transit passengers who do not go through passport control, and passengers on flights with an unscheduled stopover in Israel.
How long is the ETA-IL valid?
The good news is that if you get an ETA-IL authorization, it will be valid for two years. But there is a nuance here: the permit will expire at any time if your passport expires! That is, if the passport expires earlier than in two years, then the permit will also lose its validity, everything is logical here.
In addition, with this permit, it is possible to cross the border of Israel multiple times.
Border control and what is important to remember
At the border control in Israel, additional documents may be required: accommodation reservation, return ticket, and confirmation of financial solvency.
Please note that you must have at least 6 months before your passport expires at the time of entry.
Why you should not postpone the registration of an ETA-IL
To be honest, the innovation with ETA-IL is not encouraging. The habit of free travel without unnecessary documents is becoming a thing of the past. But what to do? You still need to take care of obtaining this permit! Although this is not the most convenient process, it gives you the opportunity to safely travel to Israel without worrying that you will not be allowed into the country – without ETA-IL, it is unlikely that you will be able to cross the border.
Do not postpone the application - it is better to do it in advance so as not to find yourself in an unpleasant situation at the border. After all, it is much easier to issue an electronic permit in advance than to face unpleasant surprises. Pack your bags, don't forget about ETA-IL, and have a good trip to Israel!
