Update: The ETA requirement has been postponed to 1/1/25. You will now be able to obtain a free ETA through 12/31/24, but won’t need it until 1/1/25. I wouldn’t be surprised if this were pushed back again…
Originally posted on 5/27:
Unsurprisingly, Israel’s tourist economy is hurting. I visited Israel after Purim and was taken aback by the eerie emptiness of the normal throngs of tourists everywhere from the airport to city centers. Renting a car in Israel is usually a lengthy process, but there was nobody else in line renting a car. Hotels were running at small fractions of normal occupancy and their restaurants were closed. Storefronts in many areas were closed and sitting empty.
Everywhere we visited, locals thanked us for coming and asked us to tell other Americans to come visit, even if it’s just to spend their dollars to help out the economy. Of course, you can do much more than that. There are endless volunteer activities that you can find on Facebook groups like this. Chabad of Katamon also does incredible work with volunteer opportunities from making sandwiches to missions to the Gaza Envelope cities and BBQs for soldiers, which you can learn more about via their Whatsapp group. Colel Chabad’s Pantry Packers is another amazing activity where kids and adults of all ages will have fun while helping out.
The lack of visitors wasn’t just my perception. Israel’s Ministry of Tourism shows that 78.6K visitors came to Israel in March 2024, compared to 351.9K in March 2023 and 425.8K in March 2019. That’s a drop of 82% from pre-COVID times and 78% from last March.
So, naturally, Israel is doing what any other country would do in its predicament. It will add more friction to the process. 🙄
Effective August 1st, visitors of all ages from visa waiver countries, such as Canada, Europe, and the US, will need to apply for an electronic travel authorization, or ETA-IL. You will need approval before you can board a flight to Israel.
The ETA-IL will cost 25 shekels and is valid for stays of up to 90 days. It will expire 2 years after approval, but if you get a new passport you will have to apply for a new ETA-IL.
The form says you should apply for an ETA-IL “at least 72 hours prior to any booking of flight tickets, hotel rooms and other similar expanses that are related [to] your planned travel to Israel.”
You will receive a reply, “within 24 to 72 hours (sometimes within a few minutes).” If it really takes a few days to arrive, it could hamper the ability of people to take a last minute trip.
Want a deal?
US and German citizens can apply for an ETA-IL during the months of June and July at no charge. Other nationalities can apply during July at no charge. It will be valid for 2 years from the approval date, or until you get a new passport, whichever comes first.
It sure seems like an odd time to add another hassle and expense to visit Israel, but like taxes and death, bureaucracy is one of the great certainties of life.
Israel isn’t alone in adding an ETA requirement, Europe plans on adding one next year as well, which it says is because the US has one as well. Isn’t reciprocity grand?
What do you think of Israel requiring an ETA in order to visit?
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175 Comments On "[ETA Requirement Delayed To 2025] Despite Tourism To Israel Being Down 80%, It Will Soon Be More Difficult To Visit"
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What’s the official purpose of requiring something like this? Aside from collecting a few shekels…
Usually it’s retaliation. Reciprocal treatment of Israelis.
You don’t make any sense
Same as the US
Wow just another tax before you even get there
Buy Israeli wine, buy Israel made goods.
We went to some wineries in Israel, and they were very happy to see Americans visiting again.
How come I didn’t see a trip note about that ;(
We always take gifts to Israel from here and fill our suitcases with Israeli products on the way back
Just another way to keep track of everyone and store all our personal info for future reference…
If you have nothing to hide and aren’t planning to do any trouble, what’s the problem?
@H
Things fascists say…
Do you think they aren’t already doing that with the passport scans at the airport??
So I can apply now for free and it will be valid for all trips I take in the next 2 years?
correct
i hope they do a retake on this. another pr disaster in the making
Israel seems to relish having bad PR and firing those that are good at PR. It’s all pretty odd.
The ones who created this probably created ELAL MATMID program…
Just a guess..
IYKYK…
Agree, sadly.
So basically everyone in the US who might be going in the next two years, should apply for one in June or July.
Yes, assuming their passport isn’t expiring before their next trip.
Is the extra Shekels for ETA what you mean by more expensive?
Yes
Do Israeli Visa holders (all Americans living / studying in Israel) need this?
Wondering the same.
Of course not. You already have a visa!
This is not a Visa. It’s an authorization to travel to Israel.
You would be surprised at how little an Israeli visa does for you…
On the website I only see exemptions for citizens and Those with a Teudat Zehut.
Does anyone have a source that specifically says visa holders don’t need it?
With a visa you already have an authorization to travel to Israel. The point of this is to check people before they come. They have your info. The US doesn’t require this for people who have a visa only for people visiting for countries that don’t require a visa as Dan pointed out in the beginning of the article.
Check out the website, the wording is pretty clear “As of August 2024, all travelers to Israel must have A VALID VISA or ETA-IL approval before starting their journey.” Sounds pretty clear that a visa is enough.
Will you need this if you have a valid student visa?
No.
I’m booked to go to Israel on July 29th and staying for 10 days. Do I need to do this since I’m there after august 1? Or am I ok because I’m going before that date?
why not apply anyway, it is free in June and July
They had this during covid for everyone evening, wasn’t that bad. Although I don’t think it cost anything.
The application is not active yet, they say it will be active June 1…
It’s reciprocity for other countries, like the US, doing it..
And what does that help? The EU says they’re doing it because of the US and Israel is doing it because of the EU and US.
It’s a version of everyone stand back or I blow us all up. A game of chicken.
Governments are supposed to represent their citizens.
But the EU and US aren’t hurting for tourists.
Do you really think this will hurt the tourism?
What if you already ordered a ticket?
Still need to get an ETA if you’re visiting as of August.
Is there any way that we can protest this terrible decision by the Israeli government?
A boycott perhaps? Divestment? Or maybe some type of sanction?
This comment is disgraceful. I hope it’s removed.
whats the disgrace in saying the the truth
It’s a joke
Why?
Just because your a Zionist doesn’t mean that Israel is always right.
The right to protest applies equally to Israel.
I think he was kidding… poking fun at BDS.
what if you order a tkt before the system goes live will u be grandfathered in
No.
The wording from Israel is a little misleading. It has nothing to do with when you buy your ticket. As long as you have it before you fly. Just like a visa- you can buy a ticket before you have a visa (for almost all countries) and as long as your have the visa when you fly you’re good to go.
You are asking why a vendor who has lost customers and is trying to regain them would add a hassle to annoy those customers? Remember, we are speaking of a country that brutally evicted its own citizens from their home and turned that territory over to their worst enemies, and then supplied those enemies with money and arms. And how did that turn out?
It is quite sobering when you look at it from that macro viewpoint. I should do that more often.
Oof.
What is the purposes of this requirement? It was good without it till now. What changed?
I’d imagine due to Europe also adding an ETA requirement.
You don’t think it’s due to allowing Israel check out travlers before they arrive to see if anyone should be flagged and denied entrance to the country (such as pro-BDS anarchists which Israel is known to deny entry to) ?
of course the website is not working!
It’s not set up yet Article clearly states that.
And this is besides the hassle of booking and flying with ElAl!
Dan, is there any way to change an ElAl ticket online? Is there any way to get anyone on ElAl to help without having to contact the DoT?
Try Whatsapping El Al?
takes them over 24 hrs to get back to you via whatapp
You can chat with them on Whatsapp
I have found that you actually get a person when you call them now so I would try calling them.
How long did you wait on the phone?
i happen to like this, as long as it stays 25NIS
משיח is filtering incoming traffic to the true ענווים ahead of the redemption
Nothing ever stays the same price for long.
Arizona iced tea and Costco hot dogs.
The Arizona iced tea guys should take over the Fed.
If flights were cheaper I would visit more enough.
It’s a smart idea. Especially if it cross links to campus thugs and other Jew haters.
They can do that without charging lol
They know who is coming anyway and can (and do) turn people away.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a big part of it. We haven’t really dealt with a situation like this before where so many Jews and alleged Jews exposed and acted upon their evil or ill-informed views.
Honestly, another useless and purposeless impediment. There is nothing that they already don’t know about you to justify such a thing. Just makes me mad and want to visit less
Even when tourism is doing well, it’s about 2.5% of Israel GDP.
Not sure that tourism is the central consideration everyone thinks it is.
Tourism is more than just GDP. Though even 2.5% of GDP is nothing to sneeze at, especially for people who work in the industry.
It’s also about bringing people to see your side of the story and support you. There’s nothing like seeing the miracle of Israel firsthand. Adding more friction to that process at a time when people are choosing to go elsewhere is an interesting choice.
I have to agree with Dan on this one. I am in Tel Aviv now visiting, and walking around, and seeing the vibrant life here, and realizing that all israeli’s and Israel want to do is to just live their lives and live in peace. on the other side, all palis ever want to do is hate, kill, and chant their empty fantasy of “river to sea” etc. i’ve been here dozens of times, but now, i realize even more what a futile effort all those stupid protesters are trying to accomplish. BTW- going home before Aug 1 so didn’t bother w new ITA
Is this being done just for reciprocity with the US & EU or might it also be for security purposes?
My assumption is that its reciprocity based.
Israel has incredible transit security as it is now and hasn’t claimed this is for security purposes.
Didn’t the US waive the visa requirement for Israelis?
Israelis still need to apply for a ESTA to enter the US ($21)
While the added paperwork is definitely going to be a pain, writing that going to EY is going to be more expensive is a bit ridiculous. $8 per person on a trip that costs thousands is insignificant.
Facts.
I’ve flown to Israel in business class a dozen times or so and have yet to pay anything, let alone thousands. 😉
The point is that ETAs add friction to the process, which will further decrease tourist visits.
ETAs will certainly add friction to the process, and it is correct to state that this will further decrease tourist visits.
I think the comment above wasn’t challenging the accuracy or relevance of your post, but was rather pointing out the click-baity nature of this article’s title. It states that Israel “Will Soon Be More Difficult And Expensive To Visit”, implying an upcoming change that will significantly affect the costs of traveling to Israel, when in reality the story being told is there will merely be a requirement for an electronic travel authorization which will cost 25 shekels. Inconvenient perhaps, and technically $8 is more expensive than $0, but hardly a story that lives up to the expectation created by the title.
It’s a useful piece of travel news and indeed an odd decision by Israel, but the wording of the title came across as misleading to your very loyal and trusting readers.
Come on, Dan, love your site, but a bit of hyperbole / disingenuousness to say you didn’t pay anything for those business class seats when you used miles for those tickets. Unless miles are worthless and cost zero to obtain?! And you didn’t pay the $5.6 taxes to US? The point made by “a” was valid, you just didn’t like it.
You’re also making an assumption that this extra step will decrease tourism. No one is going to Israel randomly and then saying screw it I’m not going because of a form or a few $. Is it annoying, sure but not a big deal.
1. Did you miss the winking emoji? It was tongue in cheek.
2. Extra friction and hassle depresses demand. This is Economics 101.
If it will depress demand it wouldn’t be worth it to collect $8 per a person.
Your points are not worth $0. There’s a value that you can sell every points currency and get cash for it (without getting into the legality of it, but that’s the reality) so that’s what I would value was “paid” for the ticket even though you took nothing out of your pocket. Adding just $8 to that cost is almost meaningless.
And besides, even if you count it as paying $0 for your tickets and hotels, then all the more there shouldn’t be any whining about a measly $8 it does cost you out of pocket to have the zechus to visit Eretz Yisroel.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally get you that it’s an annoying piece of bureaucracy introduced at the wrong time, but at the moment, expensive it is not.
Et tu? Really need that sarcasm font to come out already.
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/despite-tourism-israel-80-will-soon-difficult-expensive-visit/#comment-1711163
Dan, I’ll handle your ETA for 5k MR. Rest easy..
Shukran.
Dan, it’s not like you to be so negative. Let’s all face another reality. Every American or other tourist that goes to Israel now is an added burden to an already strained security system. Yes, they need our money and of course the light of our Devine mission, but they also need to keep us safe. I’m sure this new ruling has something to do with military security, knowing who is in the country where they are and who they have to protect. Maybe they are trying to avoid a PR disaster.
I’m not positive or negative, I’m a realist.
This has nothing to do with military security. If it did, they would have said that. It also would go into effect today and not months from now.
This is a simple reciprocity play. And it’s short-sighted at a time that Israel needs tourists and support.
I’m trying to fly to Israel in business class using points. What would be my best way to it? I have chase and Amex points.
Thanks!
How do you avoid the $5.60 9/11 fee?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/despite-tourism-israel-80-will-soon-difficult-expensive-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-1711163
Thanks Dan for all the advice. I booked a ticket yesterday for round trip EWR-TLV in August on ElAl for $89 (and 80k Alaskan points), thanks to your Alaskan Airlines cc offer. $32 Amtrak ticket to get to EWR and I have plenty of funds to spend in Israel. I think the registration is good. It’s the easiest way to keep out the undesirables, who make trouble.
Nesiah tova!
Please come visit Israel!
More important then ever at times like this!
The stores are closed and streets that are usually full of tourists, empty….
Very sad to see and experience….
Agreed. Which is why making the visitor process more difficult at a time like now is an interesting choice.
I’m sure the politicians who came up with this ridiculous idea did not ask the vendors on Machine Yehudah or Dizengoff…
So while the average store owner and business owner is definitely hurting, their opinion was definitely not taken into account or solicited when coming up with this out of touch idea…
Once approved for an ETA-IL is it valid for 2 years even for multiple trips?
or do you need a new one for every trip even in the 2 years?
“Your ETA-IL authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of up to two years from the date your application is approved. or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that as long as you received an ETA-IL authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.”
https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/get-help/
This is in addition to getting the border control card after deplaning and stopping at the passport booth before the luggage hall, correct. This simply allows you to get on a TLV bound flight.
What if you visit Israel a multiple times in that 2 years? Each trip may be less than 3 months but they will add up to much more than 3 months. This is really strange because in October the US removed the need for Israeli visitors to have a visa to visit the USA.
It’s less than $10 and helps boost the economy a bit. Don’t we all care just a bit about how Israel is hurting right now?
Boost the economy? Keeping tourists away costs the economy and the government (tax loss, unemployment, etc.)
I think it’s to let Israel keep certain people out, while still maintaining reciprocity
They do that today without the need for an ETA. This is about reciprocity.
what if I use an Argentinian or French passport? If/when EU will require ETA, will it be 1 for each country visited?
I’ve already got tickets to go in August. Then I saw this. I’ve been trying for the last couple of hours to apply but the link to submit my application is down.
So how would this work if you needed to go to Israel on short notice to bury a family member? Wait 72 hours?
or if someone had a baby and you want to visit or there could be any number of reasons that you need to visit last minute-is that no longer possible?
That’s why there are Askanim!
So good reasons to apply when you can and have it, esp since it’s free now.
I do not see what the complaint is here. Is an extra layer of security that every country in the world seems to be doing. We are in a war. It seems appropriate to add it as well. As for cost, it is 25 shekel. Seriously people get over it. I thought everyone understood the country needs money. Lastly, if you want to get around the Visa waiver requirement, make Aliyah! יחד ננצח!
1. It’s not security, it’s reciprocity. Israel can and does deny entry all the time.
2. I have traveled the world, and the only country I have needed an ETA for so far was Australia.
3. It’s not about the cost, it’s the extra hassle and time.
4. If the country wants more money, encourage more tourism, not less.
5. https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/despite-tourism-israel-80-will-soon-difficult-expensive-visit/#comment-1711030
I think the presumption of these commenters is that the reason countries do this is that they can run background checks BEFORE passenger depart. In an ideal world this would be true and would make passport control more efficient, In reality it becomes a money grab and an extra layer of bureaucracy..
@dan you will need it in the EU beginning in 2025..this is becoming a universal requirement for visa free travel…no reason Israel wouldn’t do it as well..
1. EU has pushed it off multiple times. Wake me up when they stop postponing it.
2. EU is doing it due to reciprocity with the US as well.
3. EU has too many tourists and doesn’t care if this causes friction.
Now tell me again why this makes sense for Israel to implement at a time when tourism is down 80% and when the EU pushed their ETA off to next year?
Cities in the EU are banning new hotels (AMS), removing bus lines from Google Maps (MAD) and charging entry fees to visit (VCE) in order to decrease tourism. Israel has the opposite problem, so why should they use the same stick to discourage tourism?
Read the MoU: https://fmep.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/US-Israel-VWP-MOU-.pdf
You will know it’s not for security reason at all, it’s for the government’s face to keep a bad deal alive. Honestly speaking, it’s not viable at all, as different groups of people cannot be entirely treated as the same. Otherwise what’s the purpose of implementing the visa requirement?
re: #2, that’s because you’re an American. Non-Americans coming to Canada, for example, need an eTA. Non-Canadians coming to US need one (eg, British). I agree that the timing is odd, perhaps it has to do with politics/reciprocity, perhaps it was part of the new travel deal with US, and I also agree that your headline is misleading. It really is only a few minutes and a few dollars. Having made them for entry into Canada and into the US, it usually only takes a few minutes almost always to get it. I think a better headline would be the heads up to apply early and save the fee!
Well yes, this is a US focused website.
And with your headline, people would complain that I said to hurry up to save just $8. Can’t win.
My passport expires in February 2025 should I apply for a new passport now before I apply for the e-visa Oh, should I wait until after I get my new passport
C’mon, it’s free now, and it’s only 25 NIS later. Why wouldn’t you do twice. I haven’t seen gone through the details yet, but I have completed this to enter Australia, and it was a fairly painless process.
February 2025 is very near. Some places won’t let you in if your passport is near expiration. Unless you’re pretty sure you won’t be going overseas for quite a while, you should renew your passport a few months before it expires.
Israel did something similar during corona and realized why not continue collecting a lot of your personal details that aren’t on your passport….
The website isn’t too professional…
An Electronic Travel Authorization only allows you to reach the border crossing into Israel, but does not grant you permission to enter or reside in Israel. When you arrive at the border crossing, you will be checked by a border control officer, who may determine that you are not authorized to enter Israel.
Cmon guys. It’s only 8 bucks and takes a few minutes online. As long as you only eat cholent and not related to
The neutra karta reshoim. You will be approved instantly.
Big deal. Although Dan does have a point.
Side note Israel tourism should jump in and do something temporary to bring back normal airline prices. That’s the real reason tourism is down.
Nobody said it’s a huge deal. It’s just an odd move to make when tourism numbers are down 80%.
Well, if you call Neutra Karta reshoim, you probably call, the police who split heads in meron Tzadikim.
With so many airlines cancelling on/off flights to Israel. What would be the best cc strategy to accumulate miles to fly on ELAL? Is Alaskan Airlines cc the best choice? Can you transfer Chase points to that airline?
@Dan says wake him up when the EU starts requireing ETAS
I say wake me up when Israel actually starts charging $8
It’s going to get pushed off, and then they’ll be a new interior minister and he;ll pause everything for reveiw, and…
You know Israel!
As it should.
Just a heads up – there was a link to do this application in my aircanada booking, on air canada.com, but they wanted to charge 10 dollars thru a third party. I went t the israeli website and did it for free.
1. Olah, been in USA 15 yrs and expired israeli passport. Will I need?
2. If no, didnt register our kid born here, both parents israeli, will we need?
Can you apply if you don’t have current travel plans? Do you need to make up fake travel plans, like entering a flight you have no intention of taking? Or can you skip entering the travel information? Thanks.
Also, do minor children need to register, or is it enough if their parents register? Thanks.
I think it’s just more red tape…..& if you’ve looked at the form. Why do they need all that information about us??? It’s sad….
Is this INSTEAD of a tourist visa, or will need to get a tourist visa as well?
Not that expensive, 25 shekel on top of everything is very little. Only issue is just like the esta required when visited the usa, it does not speed up the process of entry into the usa.
Here too I doubt it will mean less harassment by Israeli border officials
Here’s some more details: https://chaimvchessed.com/updates/new-israel-entry-requirement-guidance-for-students/
It’s about reciprocity. But not as you have discussed.
It’s totally an unnecessary process as the purpose is to cater for those Palestinian holding us passports to travel visa free to Israel from West Bank.
Thanks to this administration that evaded reality, our travel freedom is totally compromised by this damn agreement.
Read the MoU: https://fmep.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/US-Israel-VWP-MOU-.pdf
I just applied for an ETA-IL and got it approved in a second.
Did you put in a travel date
Same
I read, the reason is because there are people arriving in Isreal that they won’t allow into the country and it wasn’t simple getting them on another flight to leave. This will eliminate people that aren’t allowed in the country from entering in the first place.
Kind of ridiculous since they want tourists. If it’s the money, just charge something upon entry. But more bureaucracy in a country steeped in it – crazy.
Applied today, get instant approval via email
also applied today and received instant approval
Its really no big deal and it is free
And can you register 2 passports or only 1? Plenty of dual USA/Canada passport holders want to know.
Just filled out application. Got approved instantly.
This is a quote from the declaration page: “I also hereby declare that i have not committed any criminal offence, I have not acted against the jewish people and the security of the State of Israel”
Just wondering, was this line thrown in to keep out all the liberal anti semitic college students and professors who mask themselves as pro palestinian protestors and the likes?
Applied and approved within minutes, no charge. Much better than during the Covid days but they could still use some help on UX.
I see it asks for a date of travel, what if i don’t have one yet??
Wondering the same
Dan you mentioned that it would be free for June and July. On the website it says fee is 25sheckel?
Just filled this out for myself and 5 family members – was a real tortuous process
Do you need a visa to go to seminary in Israel? or this ETA is enough?
Yes you need a student visa since you presumably plan to be there more than 3 months. The ETA is for Israelis and non-visa holders.
The ETA is not the visa. You will still need to get the visa.
My experience after getting it before my trip – absolutely no question at booth. I just have my passport and visa (that you get at machines at the end of the gate Hallway) and was handed my exit slip.
So in theory, this will make your lines to exit shorter.
I see suggestions to get one now, while it’s free. But the form asks “when are you planning to arrive?“ So does that mean if one does not know their specific date of arrival, it would be too early to apply now?
No reason to get it before December
why not get one now what is the downside?
Because the free ETA will last longer if you do it when the beta program ends.
I already got one. Do you know if I could apply again for one the end of Decemeber to extend the 2 years? Does it make a difference whether I visit Israel between now and December?
I don’t know, try and let us know what happens.
I just filled out this form yesterday because I wanted to make sure I was still in the free period. Oh well.
My wife applied and received approval in 2 minutes.
Her status is now “approve”.
We actually expected it to be “approved” .
By the way, you should beware of fake websites, such as etaisrael.com.
Make sure you are in israel-entry.piba.gov.il
Bezrat Hashem We are traveling to Israel in the first week of August. Does this update mean we do not need to do the eta-il at all? We can travel there like without like we always did?
Correct
Thanks!
So I applied for the ETA and my wife did also. Hers came through right away. Because I said I had gotten something in 1982 when I was in Yeshiva for the year (and I don’t remember what it was, maybe visa, maybe something from US embassy), I didn’t get one. All I got was an email saying I’d hear in a few days. It has been almost 2 weeks and nothing. Any idea how to contact someone and see what is going on?
You don’t need it now