Israel is preparing to make travel easier for tourists by launching an electronic visa (E-visa) system.
Following this new move, tourists from visa-requiring countries can apply for a tourist visa online and receive it by email, eliminating the need to visit the Israeli embassy, VisaGuide.World reports.
All necessary documents can be submitted online, and once approved, the e-visa will be sent directly to the applicant’s inbox. In cases where further review or additional documents are needed, applicants may be required to visit the Israeli embassy.
As local media reports, the Director General of the Population and Immigration Authority, Eyal Siso, has hailed the initiative as a “real revolution” in the service, empowering tourists to handle their applications conveniently from home.
The implementation of the E-visa system holds significant potential not only for tourists but also for Israel’s tourism industry at large. With the streamlining of the visa application process, Israel stands to become an even more appealing destination for international travelers.
The launch of the electronic visa is a real revolution regarding the service provided by the Authority to foreigners abroad. The tourist who wishes to come to visit Israel will be able to manage the application from his home online as appropriate for 2024 and will receive the visa.
War in Gaza Causing a Toll on Tourism in Israel
Amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine, recent data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveals a staggering 96 percent decline in one-day visits to the occupied territories last month, plummeting from 14,000 in January 2023 to a mere 500 visits.
The prolonged war in Gaza, now entering its fifth month, has inflicted substantial economic strain on Israel, with the finance ministry estimating the cost of the war at approximately $13.8 billion.
Furthermore, the impact of the Gaza conflict extends to Israel’s tourism sector, with a notable decline observed in tourist visits. In January alone, the country welcomed only 58,600 tourists, a stark contrast to the 257,400 tourists recorded during the same period last year, reflecting a significant 77 percent drop.
Moreover, to attract more visitors, potentially increase tourism numbers, and bolster the country’s economy, Israel previously decided to facilitate the movement of Kosovars by granting them visas.