Passports & Visas
PASSPORTS
Check to make sure that you know where your passport is and that it is not expired or about to expire. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Israel. If your passport expires within this period, start the renewal process well in advance. Many airlines will deny you boarding if your passport is not valid according to this policy. Learn more about ordering a USA passport or a Canadian passport.
Make sure your program coordinator has the passport spelling of your name. If you are registered using a name other than the spelling in your passport, your ticket will be printed accordingly, and you may be denied boarding for the flight to Israel. Contact your program coordinator to make any corrections ASAP – airline name change fees may apply.
We ask for the passport number of each individual traveler, as this is required by hotels during check-in. Please contact us to provide these details at least a month before arrival.
VISAS
If you are traveling to Israel on a USA, Canadian, or European Union member country passport, a visa is not needed to enter Israel on a tourist visit of up to three months. If you are traveling on a passport from another country, you may need a visa to enter Israel. Details are available here. Our office is able to provide you with an official ticket confirmation if needed.
If you hold an Israeli passport you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport. If either of your parents is Israeli citizens, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be worked out prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. It is critical that you take care of these matters before you arrive in Israel. If you do not, you may be obligated to stay in Israel until
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION
All travelers to Israel must obtain a valid electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before entering the country. The online application only takes a few minutes, and you will want to select "Visit (Tourism)" as the primary reason for your entry. The ETA-IL is valid for two years and costs 25 NIS (~US$7.00). Apply for the ETA-IL at least 72 hours before your departure, and we advise you to carry a printed copy during your travels.
View these ETA-IL instructions and then complete your ETA-IL application at least 72 hours before departure.
NOTE: The ETA-IL does not pertain to travelers entering Israel with an Israeli passport.
GATE PASS
Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport, you'll be issued a small slip of paper called an "Electronic Gate Pass" which serves as your official form of identifications while in Israel. Israel asks all tourists to keep the card on hand at all times as proof of their status. Moreover, the pass is used to prove to the hotels that you are not an Israeli citizen and thus not responsible for VAT (tax). Failure to present this pass at check-in may result in the hotel assessing VAT at your own cost. So, please keep this Gate Pass on hand and/or with your passport at all times.