What documents do I need to travel to Israel?
Visa-exempt visitors to Israel need an ETA-IL plus a passport valid at least 90 days past arrival. Israel issues a separate paper entry card instead of a passport stamp.
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Entering Israel - what you need
Israel's document list is short, but border checks are thorough and officers ask questions about your plans. Have your answers and your papers ready, including your trip1 hotel booking.
- A passport valid for at least 90 days after your arrival date.
- An approved ETA-IL if you are from a visa-exempt country, or a visitor visa if you are not.
- A copy of the ETA-IL approval, saved offline or printed.
- A return or onward ticket.
- Proof of where you are staying - your trip1 booking confirmation is exactly what officers mean by this.
- A letter of parental consent if an under-18 is travelling without both parents.
Entry rules and border procedures can change at short notice. Check your own government's official travel advisory and the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority site close to your departure date.
ETA-IL - what it is and how to get it
ETA-IL is Israel's electronic travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa. It has been mandatory since 1 January 2025 for citizens of the UK, US, EU countries, Canada, Australia and the other visa-exempt nationalities.
You apply on the official Population and Immigration Authority site. The fee is 25 Israeli shekels, and an approved authorisation lasts two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Each visit under an ETA-IL can be up to 90 days. Apply a few days before you fly rather than at the airport, and use the official site instead of a paid intermediary.
Important: an ETA-IL is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry. The officer at the border makes the final decision, so carry your return ticket and accommodation details where you can reach them quickly.
If your nationality does need a visa
Travellers who are not on the visa-exempt list apply for a B/2 visitor visa at an Israeli embassy or consulate before travelling. ETA-IL does not apply to them, and there is no visa on arrival to fall back on.
Working, studying or volunteering needs different permission entirely. A tourist permit does not cover any of it, and working on one leads to removal.
The entry card instead of a passport stamp
Israel does not normally stamp passports. At Ben Gurion Airport you are handed a small printed entry card at passport control, and other crossings may issue either a card or a stamp.
Keep that card tucked inside your passport for the whole trip. It is your proof of lawful entry and the date your permitted stay started, and you may be asked for it when you leave.
Take a photo of the card as a backup. If you lose the original, contact the Population and Immigration Authority rather than waiting until you are at the airport.
Hotel check-in in Israel
Hotels ask every adult guest for a passport at check-in and record the details. Many also ask tourists for the entry card, because your visitor status affects how the room is taxed.
Your trip1 booking confirmation is what the front desk needs to find your reservation, and it is the proof of accommodation officers ask about at the border. A copy on your phone is fine.
Some hotels ask for a card at check-in to hold a deposit against extras. That is the property's own policy and separate from how you paid for the room on trip1.
Entering Israel - FAQ
Visa-exempt nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens, do not need a visa for tourism. They need an ETA-IL travel authorisation instead.
ETA-IL is Israel's electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, required since 1 January 2025. You apply online before you travel and get the approval by email.
The fee is 25 Israeli shekels and the authorisation is valid for two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first. Each visit can last up to 90 days.
Usually not. At Ben Gurion Airport you are given a separate paper entry card instead of a passport stamp, and you should keep it with your passport for the whole trip.
Your passport should be valid for at least 90 days beyond your arrival date. Travel on the same passport you used for your ETA-IL application.
