Visitors to Israel from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, will need to pay a £5 fee and apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA-IL) starting from 1 August.
These new rules were announced by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority.
The regulations state that eligible travelers can stay in Israel for up to 90 days. However, while the electronic travel authorisation allows entry to the border, final permission to enter Israel will be determined by a border control officer.
Starting 1 June, a pilot program will be launched for German and American visitors to test the new system, during which no entry fees will be charged. From 1 August, the system will be implemented for visitors from all visa-exempt countries. The ETA-IL will be valid for up to two years or until the visitor's current passport expires, whichever comes first.
Journalists holding a B1 visa will not need the ETA-IL, but their family members with B2 visas will. Additionally, those who obtain a new passport or change their name or gender will need to apply for a new travel authorisation.
Visitors will not be able to board a plane to Israel without the ETA-IL. For more information, please refer to the Government Press Office's guidelines. Photo by Vladislav Bezrukov, Wikimedia commons.