This is BIG, important news for anyone planning to visit Israel who holds a passport that doesn't require applying for a visa in advance.
Israel is instituting a new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) requirement.
This means that while you don't need to apply for a visa at the embassy/consulate, you DO need to apply for an ETA before you book your flight. You will NOT be able to get on a flight to Israel without a valid ETA-IL.
(If you have a teudat zehut or Israeli passport, this DOES NOT apply to you!)
In short, you now need to apply for an ETA-IL before you book a flight - it remains valid for 2 years from the date of issue. The ETA will cost 25 NIS.
The ETA pilot phase begins on June 1, for US and German passport holders. During the pilot phase, the fee is WAIVED.
So if you want your first ETA-IL for free, and you hold an eligible passport - apply during the month of June! You don't have to have a trip planned to get yours, and it will make it easier for you to spontaneously buy tickets when you see a deal you like later.
After the pilot phase, the system will be open to everyone who holds a passport from a country that is exempt from an advance visa. The ETA-IL will cost 25 NIS and is non-refundable, but it is valid for 2 years, provided your passport doesn't expire or get changed.
So if you know US or German passport holders who plan to visit in the next 2 years - pass this post along to them, so they can apply for an ETA-IL between June 1 and June 30, and avoid the fee this time!
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