US passport · Israel
Do US citizens need a visa for Israel?
In brief
No visa, but an online authorisation: US passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to Israel (90 days per visit; ETA-IL valid up to 2 years).
ETA-IL fee for US citizens: The ETA-IL costs NIS 25 per application, paid online, and is not refunded once you apply. ≈ USD 7.81 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site, checked .
ETA-IL processing time for US citizens: A reply usually comes within 24 to 72 hours, sometimes within minutes. Source: Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site, checked .
Conditions: ETA-IL fee NIS 25; passport valid at least 3 months from arrival; apply any time before travel (PIBA recommends at least 72 hours before booking flights or hotels).
Starting from January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL(Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel and stay for up to 90 days per visit.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA)
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA)Apply only at israel-entry.piba.gov.ilReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | ETA · 90 days per visit; ETA-IL valid up to 2 yearsETA-IL fee NIS 25; passport valid at least 3 months from arrival; apply any time before travel (PIBA recommends at least 72 hours before booking flights or hotels) |
|---|---|
| Stay | 90 days per visit; ETA-IL valid up to 2 years |
| Validity and entries | An approved ETA-IL covers multiple trips for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first; a new passport or a change of name, gender or citizenship needs a new ETA-IL.2 |
| Official fee | The ETA-IL costs NIS 25 per application, paid online, and is not refunded once you apply.2 |
| Official processing | A reply usually comes within 24 to 72 hours, sometimes within minutes.3 |
| Where to apply | Apply online on PIBA's official site israel-entry.piba.gov.il at any time before travel; PIBA recommends applying at least 72 hours before you book flights or hotels.3Official site: israel-entry.piba.gov.il |
Do US citizens need a visa for Israel?
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA) lists the US among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: 90 days per visit; ETA-IL valid up to 2 years. Conditions: ETA-IL fee NIS 25; passport valid at least 3 months from arrival; apply any time before travel (PIBA recommends at least 72 hours before booking flights or hotels).
“Starting from January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL(Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel and stay for up to 90 days per visit.”
Conditions and exceptions
Your passport must be valid for at least three months from the day you arrive in Israel.
You can apply for an ETA-IL if: ... Your passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of your arrival in Israel ... You plan to visit Israel for up to 90 days
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checkedChildren need their own ETA-IL too; an adult applies on their behalf.
Yes, any person, regardless of their age, arriving in Israel from a country exempt from a B/2 visa, must obtain an ETA-IL authorization. A minor cannot apply for an ETA-IL independently; an adult must apply on their behalf.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checkedU.S. military members who hold a CAC (Common Access Card) are exempt from the ETA-IL.
ETA-IL Exemptions: ... U.S military members holding CAC
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checkedUS citizens who also hold Israeli citizenship do not apply for an ETA-IL, but should show the airline a certificate of their Israeli citizenship.
No. A traveler holding a foreign passport who also has Israeli citizenship does not need to apply for an ETA-IL but should present a certificate proving their Israeli citizenship to the airline, even if it is not currently valid.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checked
Israel visa types for US citizens
An approved ETA-IL covers multiple trips for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first; a new passport or a change of name, gender or citizenship needs a new ETA-IL.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checkedEach visit can last up to 90 days; to stay longer you must ask PIBA for an extension of stay.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checked
How to apply
Apply online on PIBA's official site israel-entry.piba.gov.il at any time before travel; PIBA recommends applying at least 72 hours before you book flights or hotels.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checked
Fee
The ETA-IL costs NIS 25 per application, paid online, and is not refunded once you apply.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
A reply usually comes within 24 to 72 hours, sometimes within minutes.
Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checked
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- Since January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries such as the US must hold an ETA-IL before travelling to Israel. Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site · checked
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Israel visa-free for US citizens now?
There is no visa, but US citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel (90 days per visit; ETA-IL valid up to 2 years). Conditions: ETA-IL fee NIS 25; passport valid at least 3 months from arrival; apply any time before travel (PIBA recommends at least 72 hours before booking flights or hotels).
How much does an Israel visa cost for US citizens?
The ETA-IL costs NIS 25 per application, paid online, and is not refunded once you apply.
Can I get an Israel visa in 7 days?
A reply usually comes within 24 to 72 hours, sometimes within minutes.
Other trips on a US passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA): entry rule and changes
- Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site: fees, visa types and entry conditions
- Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), official ETA-IL site: how to apply, processing time and entry conditions