Israel: ETA-IL registration before departure

ETA-IL – Electronic Travel Authorisation

From 1 January 2025, every traveller from a country that has so far been visa-exempt (including Poland) must register in the ETA-IL system before departure. The authorisation:

is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first,
allows multiple entries, with each stay of up to 90 days,
costs 25 NIS (approx. 8 USD),
is usually granted within a few minutes, but the application must be submitted no later than 72 hours before travel.

ETA-IL does not entitle you to work, study or stay for more than 90 days; in such cases, a standard B/2 visa is required.

Passport requirements and border formalities

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of departure.
After immigration control you will receive a blue “entry slip” with a barcode – this is your only proof of lawful stay; you must not lose it.
Border officers may refuse entry if they consider that the purpose of your visit does not match your declarations, or if there have been previous breaches of regulations.

Security and recommended precautions

There are periodic tensions along the Israeli–Palestinian border; avoid gatherings, demonstrations and areas closed by the military.
Do not plan trips to the Golan Heights or northern Galilee during periods of intensified rocket fire.
On Yom Kippur road traffic almost comes to a standstill; this also affects public transport and car rental companies.

Security checks at airports

Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure – the security interview and baggage screening can take a long time.
Questions about contacts in Arab countries or visits to other Middle Eastern states are standard; answer calmly and factually.

Medical care and insurance

Healthcare costs are among the highest in the region (a consultation around 200 USD, a hospital day up to 1,000 USD).
Arrange insurance with a minimum cover of 100,000 EUR, including hospitalization, medical transport and repatriation.
You may bring personal medication in quantities for up to 90 days; carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s certificate.

Practical tips for travellers

Print the ETA-IL approval and carry it with your passport; some airlines require it at check-in.
During Shabbat (Friday evening – Saturday evening) most buses and trains do not operate; plan your transfers in advance.
Do not photograph military facilities or checkpoints; heavy fines may be imposed.
Keep a copy of your passport and return ticket in the cloud or on your phone – it will be useful if your documents are lost.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you lose your passport, contact the Embassy in Tel Aviv (or the Consulate General in Jerusalem) and report the loss to the police.
If the border authorities refuse you entry and send you back from the airport, stay calm and ask for written reasons; decisions are usually final, but an explanation may help with a future attempt to enter.

ETA-IL with Notberg

The official ETA-IL portal is israel-entry.piba.gov.il, run by the Population and Immigration Authority. With Notberg you can order an ETA-IL for Israel without having to complete the form yourself. A decision usually arrives within 1 day. Service packages:

Standard: processing in around 4 days,
Premium: processing in 1 day,
Instant: immediate processing when your flight is imminent.

We require an online application and a scan of the passport page with your personal details and photograph. Please remember that ETA-IL does not replace border control: the final decision on entry is made by the border authorities.

Work visa for Israel

ETA-IL does not cover employment. To work you need a work visa, which is issued by the Israeli embassy on the basis of a work permit obtained by the employer. The procedure takes around 30 days. Service packages: Standard (around 5 days) or Premium (1 day).

Documents for a work visa:

biometric passport valid for at least 3 years, with blank pages,
2 colour biometric photos on a light background, preferably not older than 6 months,
completed and signed visa application form,
work permit registered by the employer with the Israeli authority,
certificate of no criminal record,
medical report,
multilingual birth certificate issued by the civil registry office with an apostille from the foreign ministry.

The authority may request additional documents after reviewing the application.

Common mistakes in ETA-IL applications

Passport close to expiry. ETA-IL is valid for up to 2 years, but no longer than the validity of your passport. If your passport expires in a few months, renew it before you apply, as the authorisation will be shorter.
Typo in your name or passport number. The data must match the passport page character for character, as the airline and border officers will compare them with the document.

Visa for Israel