Can I get a refund for eTA Israel? No. The application fee of 25 ILS (approximately £5.50 to £7.00) is non-refundable. Once you submit your application through the PIBA portal, the fee cannot be returned, regardless of whether your travel authorisation is approved or denied. Exceptions exist only for billing errors such as duplicate payments or overcharges, claimable via gov.il.
Published: 9 September 2026 | Last updated: 9 September 2026
Is the ETA-IL Application Fee Refundable?
The 25 ILS ETA-IL fee (approximately £5.50 to £7.00) is a statutory processing charge for application review, not an entry guarantee. Border control officers make the final admission decision. Collected by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) at the time of submission, the fee applies uniformly to all applicants from visa-exempt countries, with no cooling-off period or withdrawal window.
Standard processing time is 24 to 72 hours. If PIBA denies the application, the 25 ILS fee is not refunded. Denial notifications are sent by email. Narrow exceptions for billing errors must be claimed through the credit card refund portal at gov.il.
Exceptions to the eTA Israel Refund Policy and How to Claim
Refunds are granted only for: (1) mistaken overcharge, (2) service not delivered within the stated time, or (3) a court order awarding a refund. Denied or withdrawn ETA-IL applications do not qualify.
Verify eligibility
Confirm your case matches one of the statutory exceptions above.
Access the refund form
Submit your request via the credit card refund form at gov.il. The form is in Hebrew only; a Hebrew-speaking assistant may be required.
Provide payment details
Include your passport number, payment date, amount, and payment confirmation.
Allow processing time
General government refunds process within 10 work days; PIBA-specific requests take up to 3 months. An automated confirmation is sent to your email.
Receive payout
Approved refunds are credited to the original payment card. For non-Israeli applicants needing bank transfers, contact PIBA at [email protected].
No explicit filing deadline is published by PIBA or gov.il. Submit claims as soon as the error is identified.
Third-Party Service Fees vs the Government Fee: What UK Travellers Pay
The 25 ILS government fee for the ETA-IL is never refundable. Third-party surcharges (up to $150+) follow the agency’s separate refund policy. Some services advertise a satisfaction guarantee on their surcharge; this does not cover the 25 ILS PIBA charge.
UK cardholders paying 25 ILS incur 2.75% to 3.0% non-sterling transaction fees from banks such as Barclays, HSBC, and Lloyds. Fee-free alternatives include Revolut, Monzo, and Starling. Avoid dynamic currency conversion; pay in ILS for a better rate.
Submit applications only at israel-entry.piba.gov.il (domain must end in .gov.il). The Israeli Embassy warns against scams via embassies.gov.il.
| Payment Type | Amount | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (PIBA) | 25 ILS (approximately £5.50 to £7.00) | No, never refundable |
| Third-party service surcharge | Up to $150+ | Possibly, per agency policy |
| UK non-sterling transaction fee | 2.75% to 3.0% | No, bank charge |
Chargeback Risks and What to Do If Your eTA Israel Is Denied
Filing a chargeback against PIBA may result in ETA-IL revocation, as PIBA can revoke authorisation for security reasons per israel-entry.piba.gov.il. Do not dispute the government fee with your bank; use the gov.il refund form for billing errors. For third-party charges, a chargeback requires evidence of service failure. Travel forums document UK travellers disputing surcharges, but the PIBA fee carries immigration risks.
If your ETA-IL is denied, the 25 ILS fee is not refunded. Do not submit further ETA-IL applications after denial. The alternative is a B/2 visitor visa (eVisa-B2) at the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate. Contact PIBA at [email protected] or +972-2-535-9740 (English, 24/7). Common denial reasons: security concerns, incomplete information, previous immigration violations.
For group applications, a designated leader pays within 30 days of submission. Each member stops at the payment stage and provides their passport number. Decision notifications are sent to each member’s email.
The PIBA help centre is located at 42 Agripas st. Jerusalem, Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions: eTA Israel Refund Policy (Part 1: Processing and Billing)
Can I cancel my eTA Israel application before it’s processed and get a refund?
No. The fee is non-refundable once submitted. Data corrections require a new application and fee.
What happens if I accidentally paid twice for my eTA Israel?
Duplicate payments can occur if two applications are submitted for the same person. Claim via the gov.il refund form at https://www.gov.il/en/service/request_credit_card_refund. Include both confirmations.
How long does it take to receive a government refund for an overcharge?
General government refunds: 10 work days. PIBA-specific requests: up to 3 months. Refund credited to your original card.
Do I get a refund if Israel closes its borders due to an emergency?
No published policy exists. The gov.il framework lists “service not delivered” as a condition. Contact PIBA at [email protected].
Is the eTA Israel fee subject to Israeli VAT?
Government administrative fees in Israel are VAT-exempt. The 25 ILS is a statutory processing charge.
Frequently Asked Questions: eTA Israel Refund Policy (Part 2: Policy and Alternatives)
Does UK travel insurance cover a lost eTA Israel fee?
Most UK travel insurance policies do not cover fees below excess thresholds (£50 to £100). The 25 ILS fee falls below these. Check your policy for “cancellation of trip” cover.
Is there a deadline to submit a refund claim for an overcharge?
No explicit deadline is published. The processing window is up to 3 months. Submit claims immediately.
How is a government refund paid out: back to my card or by bank transfer?
Refunds are credited to the original payment card. For bank transfers, contact PIBA at [email protected]. Keep the original receipt.
Do children and infants need a separate eTA-IL? Is their fee also non-refundable?
Yes. Each traveller needs an individual ETA-IL with its own 25 ILS fee. The same non-refundable policy applies.
What is the difference between the eTA Israel and a visa regarding refunds?
The ETA-IL is a travel authorisation for 100+ visa-exempt countries, not a visa. The non-refundable fee policy applies to all ETA-IL applications. Visas follow separate rules.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current policies with the PIBA website (israel-entry.piba.gov.il) before applying.
