Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Citizens of 99 Countries Can Now Apply for Israel’s Travel Authorization, Free of Charge Until July 31 – VisaGuide.News

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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.

PIBA

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:

  1. Albania
  2. Andorra
  3. Argentina
  4. Australia
  5. Austria
  6. Bahamas
  7. Barbados
  8. Belarus
  9. Belgium
  10. Belize
  11. Botswana
  12. Brazil
  13. Bulgaria
  14. Canada
  15. Central African Republic
  16. Chile
  17. Colombia
  18. Costa Rica
  19. Croatia
  20. Croatia
  21. Cyprus
  22. Czech Republic
  23. Denmark
  24. Dominica
  25. Dominican Republic
  26. Ecuador
  27. El Salvador
  28. Estonia
  29. Eswatini
  30. Fiji
  31. Finland
  32. France
  33. Georgia
  34. Germany
  35. Greece
  36. Grenada
  37. Guatemala
  38. Haiti
  39. Honduras
  40. Hong Kong
  41. Hungary
  42. Iceland
  43. Iceland
  44. Ireland
  45. Italy
  46. Jamaica
  47. Japan
  48. Kosovo
  49. Latvia
  50. Lesotho
  51. Liechtenstein
  52. Lithuania
  53. Luxembourg
  54. Macau
  55. Macedonia
  56. Malawi
  57. Malta
  58. Mauritius
  59. Mexico
  60. Micronesia
  61. Monaco
  62. Mongolia
  63. Montenegro
  64. Nauru
  65. Netherlands
  66. New Zealand
  67. Norway
  68. Palau
  69. Panama
  70. Papua New Guinea
  71. Paraguay
  72. Peru
  73. Philippines
  74. Poland
  75. Portugal
  76. Republic of Korea
  77. Romania
  78. Russia
  79. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  80. Saint Lucia
  81. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  82. San Marino
  83. Serbia
  84. Singapore
  85. Slovakia
  86. Slovenia
  87. South Africa
  88. Spain
  89. Suriname
  90. Sweden
  91. Switzerland
  92. Taiwan
  93. Tonga
  94. Trinidad and Tobago
  95. Ukraine
  96. United Kingdom
  97. United States
  98. Uruguay
  99. Vanuatu

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