Visa requirements for Israeli citizens refers to regulations pertaining to visas for holders of Israeli passports.
As of 2025, Israeli citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 169 countries and territories, ranking the Israeli passport 19th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1]
As of 2024, the passports of Israel, Ireland, South Korea, Brunei, Taiwan and Chile are the only ones to provide visa-free access to all G7 countries, and the passports of Israel, South Korea, Hong Kong, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile are the only ones to provide visa-free access to all European countries.[citation needed]
History
[edit]
According to Israeli law, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran are designated as enemy countries and an Israeli citizen must obtain a special permit from the Israeli Ministry of the Interior to visit these countries. An Israeli who visits these countries, whether with a foreign or an Israeli passport, may be prosecuted when coming back to Israel, however prosecution is rare.
This list was set in 1954, and was updated on 25 July 2007 to include Iran, and again in 2019 to remove Saudi Arabia.[2] Egypt and Jordan remained on the "enemy countries" list; however, the Israeli Ministry of the Interior had issued a general unlimited permit to visit these countries, following the peace treaty signed by Israel with each country, hence voiding the law in respect to each country.[3] Under an Israeli military order, Israeli citizens except for security personnel carrying out operations are prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas, and Area A of the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exercises full civil and security control.
In addition to these countries, there are other countries that prohibit entry to Israeli passport holders, after joining the Arab boycott of the State of Israel, including Maldives, Malaysia, Brunei, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Some controversial rejections of Israeli nationals include tennis player Shahar Pe'er who was denied a visa to the United Arab Emirates which would have allowed her to play in the 2009 Dubai Open. However, later she was allowed. Furthermore, Israeli judo athletes and ministers have been allowed into the UAE more recently. This was prior to signing the 2020 Abraham Accords.
Recent diplomatic relations
[edit]
As of 21 February 2021, Israel has signed six peace treaties with Arab countries.
Following the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1979, and the Israel–Jordan peace treaty in 1994, more countries have signed peace treaties with Israel.
On 15 September 2020, Israel and the UAE established diplomatic relations in Washington DC, and signed a peace agreement, which removed all restrictions on Israeli citizens' travel to the UAE.
On 15 September 2020, Israel and Bahrain established diplomatic relations in Washington DC, and signed the Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement, which removed all restrictions on Israeli citizens' travel to Bahrain.
On 23 October 2020 an agreement took place between Sudan and Israel with the mediation of the United States involving the recognition of the state of Israel by Sudan and the establishment of full diplomatic relations.
On 10 December 2020, Donald Trump announced that Israel and Morocco agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, while also announcing that the United States recognized Morocco's claim over Western Sahara.[4]
On 12 December 2020, Israel and Bhutan formally established full diplomatic relations.[5]
On 1 February 2021, Israel and Kosovo established full diplomatic relations over Zoom, and established a Kosovan embassy in Jerusalem.[6]
In May 2021, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has removed a clause banning travel to Israel from the country's new e-passport. The MFA said this is to comply with international e-passport standards.[7][8][9]
In June 2022, Saudi Arabia and Israel are holding talks as a precursor to establishing formal diplomatic relations. Saudi officials say it is a question of when, not if.[10]
On October 19, 2023, Israel became the 41st country that joined the United States Visa Waiver Program.[11]
On 2 June 2024, Maldives proposed on banning entry for Israeli citizens.[12] However, the ban was postponed.[13]
Visa requirements map
[edit]
Visa requirements for Israeli citizens holding ordinary passports
Israel
Visa not required / Electronic Travel Authorization
Visa on arrival
eVisa
Visa available both on arrival or online
Visa required
Travel banned by the Israel government due to safety concerns or admission refused
Visa requirements
[edit]
Visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports traveling for tourist purposes. Visa requirements for holders of Teudat Maavar (travel document in lieu of passport) may vary.
From December 2021, passengers of all countries that required visa, can now obtain visa on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport, and all land borders.[47]
Must have a round trip ticket. A passport valid for 6 months and with at least two blank pages for stamps on arrival and departure must be presented. Must provide proof of hotel stay, as well as an international vaccination certificate.
Visa not required for visits to Sinai resorts for up to 14 days if entering only through Taba Border Crossing or Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.
Dual nationals of Ghana not holding a "Dual Citizenship Identity Card" and entering Ghana on a foreign passport can obtain a visa on arrival if they have confirmation that a visa has been approved before departure.
e-Visa holders must arrive via 31 designated airports[Note 1] or 5 designated seaports.[Note 2][93]
An Indian e-Tourist Visa may only be obtained twice within 1 calendar year.[citation needed]
Foreigners of Pakistani origin or who hold a Pakistani Passport are not eligible for an e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) were born in, or were permanent residents in Pakistan, are also not eligible for an e-Visa.[94]
√
Indonesia
Visa required
Entry allowed only via Denpasar-Bali (DPS), Jakarta - Halim Perdana Kusuma (HLP), Jakarta - Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), and Surabaya (SUB).[95]
In addition to a visa, nationals of Israel must hold the reference letter issued by Director General of Immigration Jakarta (DIRJENIM) and the invitation letter used to support their visa application.[95]
17[Note 3] of the 31 border crossings are only open to visa holders.[114]
e-Visa may be used to enter Laos through Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane international airports, 3 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges[Note 4] and in Boten (road and railroad).[115]
Visa on arrival is available at Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane international airports, the 4 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges[Note 5] and 6 border crossings.[Note 6][114]
Visa on arrival is extendable for an additional 60 days at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane.[116]
Admission for Israeli passport holders is refused for tourism purposes.
For other purposes, a visa is required. In addition to a visa, a clearance permit from the government should also be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs prior to arrival in Malaysia.[124]
e-Visa holders must arrive via Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw or Mandalay airports or via land border crossings with Thailand — Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung or India — Rih Khaw Dar and Tamu.
e-Visa available for both tourism (allowed stay is 28 days) or business (allowed stay is 70 days) purposes.
Nationals of Israel traveling on business can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 5 years. They must have a license issued by the Ministry of Industry.
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy must be paid upon requesting an Electronic Travel Authority.[143]
Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.[144] Such travellers are not required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.[143]
Nationals of Israel can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 1 month. They must have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date, and a return/onward ticket.
Passengers can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 3 months if they have confirmation that a visa has been approved before departure.
For passengers traveling on an organized tour, the representative of the organizing travel agency should submit a list showing full names and nationalities of tour members to the special service of the national police prior to arrival.
ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.[204]
ESTA is also required when entering the country by cruise ship or land.[205]
Visa required for nationals of VWP countries who have travelled or been present in Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen at any time on or after 1 March 2011 (with limited exceptions), or those who have travelled or being present in Cuba at any time on or after 12 January 2021, or nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea or Sudan.
Visitors with stays longer than three days must register with the local police, within three working days of arrival. For visitors staying in a hotel, registration is done by the hotel. Registration is strictly checked when leaving Uzbekistan.
There are 70 resident embassies, 23 consulates and five "special" missions in the 164 states that recognise Israel. As of 2014, Germany offers consular assistance to Israelis in countries without Israeli representation. Canada offers consular assistance to Israelis in Cuba. North Korea does not recognise Israel, denouncing it as an "imperialist satellite". Since 2016, Israeli civilians have been permitted to travel to North Korea without intermediaries, with appropriate visas available in Israel.
See also: List of diplomatic missions of Israel
Arab-Israeli conflict
[edit]
Due to ongoing conflict with Arab nations, 13 Arab members of the United Nations do not recognize the State of Israel: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Israeli citizens need special approval from the Ministry of Interior to visit most of these countries.
See also
[edit]
Israel portal
Israeli identity card
List of nationalities forbidden at border
Visa policy of Israel
International recognition of Israel
Israeli travel document in lieu of national passport#Visa requirements
^International Air Transport Association (IATA), Travel Information Manual
^ ab"Paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2021. Many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35.
^"Information about: Australian Resident Visa". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2020. Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
^International Air Transport Association (IATA), Travel Information Manual
^International Air Transport Association (IATA), Travel Information Manual
^International Air Transport Association (IATA), Travel Information Manual
^ abétrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "Requesting a visa". France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao, Sint Maarten)
Ecuador
El Salvador
Falkland Islands1
Greenland5
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Montserrat1
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands1
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands1
United States
Puerto Rico4
Virgin Islands4
Uruguay
Venezuela
Asia
Abkhazia23
Afghanistan
Akrotiri and Dhekelia12
Armenia2
Azerbaijan2
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
Macau
Cyprus2
Egypt6
Georgia2
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan2
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
North Korea
Northern Cyprus23
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine3
Philippines
Qatar
Russia2
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Korea
South Ossetia2
Sri Lanka
Syria
Taiwan (Republic of China)3
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Turkey2
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
Europe
Abkhazia23
Akrotiri and Dhekelia12
Albania
Andorra
Armenia2
Austria
Azerbaijan2
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Cyprus2
Denmark
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Estonia
Finland
France
Overseas
Georgia2
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kazakhstan2
Kosovo3
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Overseas
North Macedonia
Northern Cyprus23
Norway
Svalbard
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia2
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Ossetia23
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Transnistria3
Turkey2
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Overseas
Vatican City
Oceania
American Samoa4
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
Guam4
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Niue
Northern Mariana Islands4
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands1
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tokelau
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Historical
Artsakh2
Russia2
1 British Overseas Territories.
2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia.
3 Partially recognized.
4 Unincorporated territory of the United States.
5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
6 Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia.
1 British Overseas Territories.
2 Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Russia and the partially recognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia each span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia.
3 Cyprus, Armenia, and the partially recognised republic of Northern Cyprus are entirely in Western Asia but have socio-political connections with Europe.
4 Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia.
5 Partially recognized.
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