Quick summary
Since January 1, 2025, every visa-exempt traveler flying to Israel—including US, EU, Australian, and New Zealand passport holders—must hold an approved ETA-IL before departure. The authorization costs NIS 25 (~$7 USD), takes 24–72 hours to process, and airlines enforce it at check-in counters worldwide. No approval means no boarding, with zero option to apply at the gate.
The fee is trivial, but the timing is not. Applying fewer than 72 hours before departure risks a denied boarding that could waste a $1,200+ roundtrip fare. Exemptions exist for Israeli passport holders and travelers with pre-issued visas, and several edge cases affect West Bank entry and passport expiry scenarios.
A $7 authorization now stands between you and your flight to Israel. Since January 1, 2025, every visa-exempt traveler must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) before departure—and airlines are checking at check-in counters worldwide. No approval in the system means no boarding pass printed. No exceptions, no gate processing, no workarounds.
The ETA-IL costs NIS 25 (~$7 USD / €6), remains valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first), and permits multiple entries of up to 90 days per visit. But here’s the detail that catches travelers off guard: processing takes 24–72 hours, with no expedite option. Air Traveler Club’s travel advisory monitoring system flagged enforcement beginning across major carriers in early 2025, with airlines including Delta, United, and El Al confirming gate-level compliance checks on all Israel-bound departures.
This requirement applies to US, EU, Australian, New Zealand, and most other visa-exempt passport holders traveling for tourism or business. For anyone with Israel on their 2025–2026 travel calendar, the rule is simple: apply the moment you book your flights.
How ETA-IL works—and why timing is everything
Think of ETA-IL as Israel’s equivalent of the US ESTA or Europe’s upcoming ETIAS. You apply online, pay the non-refundable fee, and receive approval electronically—no embassy visit, no paper visa. The authorization links to your passport number, and airlines verify it digitally at check-in.
The critical difference from ESTA: Israel’s system has no instant approval pathway. While most US ESTA applications clear within minutes, ETA-IL processing takes a minimum of 24 hours and frequently stretches to 72. Some applications trigger additional information requests from Israeli authorities, extending the timeline further. Once you’re standing at a check-in counter without approval, no airline staff member can override the system.
The financial exposure is stark. Average roundtrip economy fares to Tel Aviv run $1,200–1,800 from US gateways and €600–1,100 from European hubs. A denied boarding over a $7 authorization wastes the entire fare—plus hotel cancellations, tour bookings, and connecting flights. For travelers who’ve found deeply discounted fares to Israel through AI-detected pricing anomalies, losing a $400 Superdeal to a missing ETA-IL is an especially painful lesson.
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Who needs it—and who doesn’t
The requirement covers all nationals from visa-exempt countries entering Israel for short stays (under 90 days) for tourism or business. Enforcement by airlines like Delta confirms that check-in agents scan passports against the ETA-IL database before issuing boarding passes on every Israel-bound flight.
| Traveler Profile | ETA-IL Required? | Fee | Apply By |
|---|---|---|---|
| US citizen, tourism/business | Yes | NIS 25 (~$7) | 72+ hours before flight |
| EU citizen (e.g., Germany, France) | Yes | NIS 25 (~$7) | 72+ hours before flight |
| Australian/NZ passport holder | Yes | NIS 25 (~$7) | 72+ hours before flight |
| Israeli dual citizen | No | N/A | N/A |
| Holder of pre-issued Israeli visa (e.g., eVisa-B2) | No | N/A | N/A |
The full list of visa-exempt nationalities isn’t exhaustively published in one document. The Israel Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) provides an eligibility questionnaire on its official portal where travelers can confirm their status before applying.
$7 versus $21—cheaper than ESTA, but less forgiving
The ETA-IL fee of NIS 25 (~$7) is one-third the cost of a US ESTA ($21). But ESTA typically approves within minutes, while ETA-IL’s 24–72 hour processing window and zero expedite option make it significantly less forgiving for last-minute travelers. The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Three scenarios that complicate things
The standard application is straightforward, but several edge cases trip up experienced travelers:
- West Bank travel requires ETA-IL too. US citizens entering the West Bank must hold an approved ETA-IL, as entry is governed by Israeli border rules. Travelers assuming the West Bank operates under separate entry requirements discover otherwise at checkpoints.
- Passport expiry shortens your authorization. ETA-IL validity is two years or your passport expiry date—whichever comes first. If your passport expires in 8 months, your ETA-IL expires in 8 months. Renew your passport first if it’s within 6 months of expiry to maximize the authorization window.
- Application denial means embassy involvement. If your ETA-IL is denied or flagged for additional information, the NIS 25 fee is lost and you’re directed to contact the nearest Israeli consulate. This process can take weeks—far beyond any flight timeline. Travelers with complex travel histories to certain countries should apply well beyond the 72-hour minimum.
One reassuring detail: if your ETA-IL expires while you’re already in Israel, it does not affect your departure. The authorization governs entry only.
The 5-minute application checklist
Apply through the official PIBA portal (israel-entry.piba.gov.il)—the only legitimate application site. Third-party websites charging $30–50 for “expedited processing” offer no actual speed advantage, since PIBA controls all processing timelines.
You’ll need your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond travel), an email address for confirmation, and a credit or debit card for the NIS 25 fee. The form takes approximately 5 minutes. Apply the same day you book your flights—not 72 hours before departure, but immediately upon booking. The 72-hour window is a minimum, not a recommendation.
An approved ETA-IL permits border arrival but does not guarantee entry. Israeli border officers retain discretion to deny entry based on security assessments, regardless of ETA-IL status. This mirrors the ESTA system, where CBP officers make final entry decisions at US ports of entry.
Questions? Answers.
Which countries are visa-exempt and need ETA-IL?
Most US, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, and UK passport holders fall under the visa-exempt category for stays under 90 days. The full list isn’t published in a single document. Use the PIBA eligibility questionnaire at israel-entry.piba.gov.il to confirm your nationality’s status before applying.
Can I apply less than 72 hours before my flight?
Technically yes, but it’s a gamble. Processing takes 24–72 hours with no expedite option. If your application isn’t approved by check-in time, you won’t board. Apply immediately after booking—treat the 72-hour window as a hard minimum, not a target.
Does ETA-IL cover transit flights through Israel?
ETA-IL is required for entry into Israel, not for airside transit. However, airlines may still verify documentation at check-in for Israel-bound flights. Confirm transit requirements directly with your airline, as policies vary by carrier and routing.
How does ETA-IL differ from a full Israeli visa?
ETA-IL covers short visa-exempt visits only (tourism and business under 90 days). Work visas, student visas, and long-term stays require separate applications through Israeli consulates or the eVisa-B2 system. Holders of pre-issued visas are exempt from ETA-IL entirely.
Can I submit one application for my entire family?
No. Each traveler requires an individual application, including children of all ages. There is no group or family submission option. Apply for all family members simultaneously to ensure everyone clears within the same processing window.
What happens if my ETA-IL application is denied?
The NIS 25 fee is non-refundable. You’ll be directed to contact the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate for further processing, which can take weeks. Travelers with complex travel histories should apply well in advance and have contingency plans for their itinerary.
