eTA Israel Requirements for UK Citizens: Document & Passport Rules (2026)

The eTA Israel requirements for UK citizens mandate a full British citizen passport with at least 90 days’ validity from arrival, an online application via the PIBA portal, and a 25 NIS fee (approximately £5.50). Mandatory since 1 January 2025, the ETA-IL is electronically linked to your passport and allows multiple 90-day visits over 2 years.

What Is the ETA-IL and Who Needs It?

The ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) is issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) and has been mandatory for UK citizens from visa-exempt countries since 1 January 2025. British tourists do not need a consular visa but must obtain the ETA-IL before travel. The ETA-IL authorises travel to the Israeli border but does not guarantee entry; the border control officer decides. Israeli citizens, Israeli ID holders, visa holders (A1-A5, B1, B3, B4), diplomats, and crew members on APIS are exempt. Nationals of non-visa-exempt countries must apply for an eVisa-B2 instead.

British Passport Rules for the ETA-IL

Only a full British citizen passport with at least 90 days’ validity from arrival qualifies for the ETA-IL. BN(O), BOTC, and BPP passports are excluded.

Which British Passport Types Qualify?

Passport Validity and Condition Requirements

The ETA-IL requires the British citizen passport to remain valid for at least 90 days from the date of arrival in Israel. Israel ignores the Schengen 10-year rule; only the 90-day threshold matters. Keep the biometric chip readable and 1-2 blank pages for entry cards at land-border crossings. British Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are not accepted for the ETA-IL or Israeli border entry.

How to Apply and Pay for Your ETA-IL

UK applicants must submit the PIBA online form in a single session with a 30-minute timeout and no save function. The fee is 25 NIS (approximately £5.50), non-refundable after submission.

Documents You Need Before Starting

Allow at least 72 hours for processing before booking non-refundable travel. Edits are possible only during the final review step; after submission, corrections require a new application and a new 25 NIS fee.

ETA-IL Cost and Payment Methods

The ETA-IL fee is 25 NIS (approximately £5.50), payable by UK-issued Visa, Mastercard, or American Express through the PIBA portal. UK banks typically add a 2.99% cross-border transaction surcharge (approximately £0.16 on £5.50).

ETA-IL Validity and Israeli Border Entry Rules

The ETA-IL remains valid for 2 years (or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first) and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit with multiple entries. The ETA-IL does not grant residency or work rights; unauthorised work carries detention and deportation penalties, and the deportation process could take several months.

What Is the Israeli Entry Card?

At Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, UK travellers receive a paper entry card instead of a passport stamp. This card must be kept with the passport until departure. At non-airport crossings such as Allenby Bridge, an entry card or passport stamp may be issued.

What to Expect at Israeli Border Security

Enhanced security screening may apply to travellers with Palestinian or Arab ancestry, ancestry of a predominantly Muslim country, evidence of previous travel to Iran, Lebanon, or Syria, or public criticism of Israel. Border checks may include lengthy questioning, baggage searches, requests for access to email or social media accounts, and withholding of digital devices. Grounds for legal refusal of entry include public calls for boycott of Israel, Holocaust denial, or denial of the 7 October attack. A refused traveller is returned on the next available flight; a detention centre is minutes from the airport. The British Embassy cannot intervene in immigration decisions.

Travelling with Children: Passport and ETA-IL Rules for Minors

Every child, including infants and newborns, must hold an individual British citizen passport and a separate ETA-IL application with a 25 NIS fee each. Children cannot be added to a parent’s application or travel on a parent’s passport. Apply for children’s ETA-ILs simultaneously with parents to avoid delays.

Common ETA-IL Application Errors and Airline Checks

Name mismatches between passport, airline booking, and the ETA-IL application are the leading cause of rejection for UK travellers. After submission, no corrections are permitted; a new application and a new 25 NIS fee are required.

Name Discrepancies and Booking Mismatches

• Deed poll name changes: the passport name must match the ETA-IL application exactly.
• Marriage name changes: the ETA-IL name must match the passport; update the airline booking if needed.
• Typos in passport number or name: detectable only during the final review step, before submission.
• Post-submission corrections: not permitted. A new form and a new 25 NIS fee are required each time.

Airline Pre-Boarding Verification

• Airlines may verify ETA-IL status electronically via the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
• A valid ETA-IL matching passport information is mandatory for boarding; an expired or mismatched record means denied boarding.
• Keep a digital and printed copy of the ETA-IL confirmation.
• A new passport or a change of country of citizenship requires a fresh ETA-IL application.

FCDO Advice, Border Security and Support Contacts

The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Israel and against all but essential travel to other parts; check current FCDO guidance before departure. Entry to Palestinian Authority territories requires advance authorisation; violations carry deportation and an entry ban of up to 10 years. A passport stamp with two red lines drawn across it, or text reading “Palestinian Authority only” or “Judea and Samaria only”, indicates restricted entry.

PIBA Support and Embassy Contacts

Note: Israel is UTC+2 (UTC+3 during daylight saving). Israeli entry requirements can change without notice; always verify current ETA-IL rules on the PIBA portal before applying. Last updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed quarterly against PIBA updates.

FAQ: ETA-IL for UK Citizens