Tourists from 99 countries part of Israel’s short-stay visa exemption list can now apply for an electronic travel authorization ETA-IL, before traveling to this country.
The ETA-IL system of Israel has been introduced by the country’s government in a bid to track tourists upon their arrival while maintaining security for everyone, VisaGuide.World reports.
The system was officially launched on June 1 this year, as part of a test phase applied at first to nationals from America and Germany. However, from July 1, travelers from a total of 99 countries benefiting from a short-stay visa exemption who plan to travel to Israel will be eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization, ETA-IL.
ETA-IL to Become Compulsory From August 2024
Once the system becomes mandatory, on August 1 2024, travelers from visa-exempt countries will be required to present an ETA-Electronic Travel Authorization – to be eligible to enter Israel.
In a bid to obtain an ETA-IL, tourists are required to fill out an application on the official website of the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA). The application is recommended to be submitted at least 72 hours before arrival in Israel.
Starting from July 1st, 2024 the ETA-IL system will open for application submissions as a pilot program for all nationalities that are exempt from tourist visas to Israel. During the pilot phase, submitting an application will be voluntary and exempt from fees.
The ETA-IL is valid for a period of two years from the approval date, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. It permits multiple trips to Israel; thus, it is not necessary to apply for a new travel authorization for each entry into the country, only when the document or passport expires.
Authorities in Israel have emphasized that during the pilot phase, which lasts until July 31, 2024, obtaining an ETA-IL is voluntary and free of charge.
From August 1, 2024, a fee of about $7 will be included when submitting an application for an ETA-IL.
Over 3 Million Tourists Welcomed in Israel in 2023
Authorities in Israel welcomed a total of 3.01 million tourists in 2023, thus accounting for an increase of 12.5 percent compared to 2022 statistics, during which 2.67 million visitors were registered.
Due to the war, the number of tourists in the last quarter of 2023 declined notably with just 180,000 arrivals recorded, compared to an expectation of nearly 900,000.
Countries Subject to ETA-IL Authorization
Citizens from the following 99 countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL authorization in order to enter Israel:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Malawi
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Russia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu