The Israel Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) has announced that the travel authorization requirement (ETA-IL) for visa-waiver travelers, set to enter into force on August 1, has been postponed to January 2025.
This means that the pilot period has been extended, and citizens of visa-exempt countries can visit Israel without an ETA-IL application until the beginning of the following year, VisaGuide.World reports.
Until then, submitting an application is voluntary, and travelers may enter Israel without an ETA-IL application. Additionally, no fee will be charged for requests submitted during the pilot period. Starting from January 1st, 2025, submitting an ETA-IL application will become mandatory.
The short update published on the PIBA’s website did not provide details regarding the reasons for this postponement.
ETA-IL Pilot Period Started for German & US Passport Holders on June 1
Israel’s electronic travel authorization was initially launched on June 1, 2024, as a pilot program for German and United States citizens, while a month later, it was extended to all nationalities exempt from tourist visas to Israel.
As Israeli authorities stated earlier, such a measure was introduced to maintain safety for everyone.
The ETA-IL authorization is valid for two years from the approval date or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple trips to Israel, so ETA-IL holders do not have to reapply during the validity period.
If your ETA-IL expires while in Israel, it will not affect your departure.
During the pilot phase, submitting ETA-IL applications is voluntary and free of charge, as explained by Israeli authorities. However, starting in January 2025, the system will become mandatory for everyone, and applicants will be required to pay a fee of $7.
Ukraine Announced Entry Restrictions for Israelis in Reciprocal Move
The PIBA’s decision to introduce such a travel requirement was not well received by Ukraine, whose citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Israel under a mutual agreement reached in 2010.
Through an official statement issued in June 2024, the Ukrainian government warned of reciprocal action.
In response, Ukraine will impose similar pre-approval requirements for Israeli citizens, including pilgrims. The specifics of these electronic visas are being considered in Kyiv.
As Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Evgen Kornichuk, stated back then, this reciprocal move is expected to affect thousands of Isaerli pilgrims who visit Ukraine every year.