Holders of German and United States passports will be required to obtain ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) when planning to enter Israel from June 1, 2024.
The decision comes as part of new changes in travel rules announced previously by authorities in Israel, VisaGuide.World reports.
The system will open on June 1, as a pilot program for those holding passports issued in Germany and the US. During the pilot phase, submission of an application will be voluntary with no fees required. Starting from July 1st, 2024, the ETA-IL system will be open for holders of other passports.
Authorities in Israel previously announced that from August 2024, all visitors from countries included on Israel’s visa-exemption list will be required to obtain an ETA-IL, in order to reach the country.
The ETA-IL permits its holders to enter Israel and stay for up to 90 days per visit. The authorization is valid for a two-year period, for multiple trips of 90 days or less within that period. If visits last for more than 90 days, a request for an extension of the stay is required.
All visitors to Israel are required to hold a valid visa or ETA-IL approval before starting their trip. The application for this authorization can be submitted at any time before travel, but it is recommended that it be submitted at least 72 hours before making any other travel arrangements.
Prior to applying for the authorization, applicants will be informed whether they are eligible for the ETA-IL, based on their country of origin. Then, applicants are required to answer some questions and pay a fee of 25 NIS. Applicants then will receive a response within 24-72 hours.
Germany & US Part of Israel’s Visa Exemption List
Foreigners planning to enter Israel are required to obtain a visa at first. However, they are not obliged to do so if they belong to Israel’s visa-exempt countries’ list.
In addition to the European Union countries, a large number of countries worldwide are also excluded from visa requirements when wishing to visit Israel, including the United States. Since Germany is part of the EU, it also belongs to the visa exempt list of Israel.
Germany and the United States are also among the top countries when it comes to the most significant number of visitors to Israel.
In 2023, Israel saw 3.01 million tourists, accounting for an increase of 12.5 percent when 2.67 million tourists were registered. Due to the war, in the last quarter of 2023, just 180,000 arrivals were recorded.