Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Israel?
Official Requirement
eTA required
for South Africa citizens travelling to Israel
As of January 2025, visitors from eligible countries must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) before arriving in Israel. The ETA-IL is valid for two years and permits stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Applications are submitted through the Israel Population and Immigration Authority portal.
Checked 12 September 2026
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
Jerusalem
The short answer
South African citizens need an approved electronic travel authorisation to enter Israel for stays of up to 90 days. An electronic travel authorisation has to be approved before boarding for Israel. The fee is ILS 25 application fee, non-refundable once the application is submitted (as of September 2026). Passport validity: the passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in Israel. Bring a valid passport issued by a country exempt from an Israeli visa and a payment card for the ILS 25 application fee. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. Entry rules change without notice, so the requirement is read again from the official source on a schedule and the date above is the last time that happened. This was last checked on 12 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Israel
- Requirement
- eTA required
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
- Passport validity
- The passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in Israel.
- Fee
- ILS 25 application fee, non-refundable once the application is submitted (as of September 2026).
- Documents
- A valid passport issued by a country exempt from an Israeli visa
- A payment card for the ILS 25 application fee
- Conditions
- An approved ETA-IL stays valid for up to two years, or until the current passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows a stay of up to 90 days per visit. It covers tourism, business, and other non-work and non-medical purposes. A new authorisation is needed after obtaining a new passport or changing name, gender, or country of citizenship. Holding an ETA-IL does not guarantee entry: it allows you to reach the border crossing, where a border control officer decides whether you may enter.
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Israel
Check your eligibility using the questions on the Population and Immigration Authority entry portal
Complete the ETA-IL application online before you start your journey
Pay the ILS 25 non-refundable application fee
Keep the approved authorisation with your passport
Present yourself to a border control officer on arrival, who decides whether to admit you
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Avoid Some Regions
UK FCDO: The FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza, to areas within 500m of the Gaza border, to the Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas governorates of the West Bank other than Route 90, to northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights north of Route 89 and Route 91, and to areas within 500m of the Area of Separation. It advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and certain highways. Strikes and retaliatory attacks involving Iran have continued since July, bringing a risk of rocket and drone attacks, falling shrapnel from interceptions, and border closures at short notice.
Updated 2026-09-26 11:52:30
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Apply for your Israel eVisa
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Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Israel
Not a visa, but South African citizens do need an approved electronic travel authorisation before boarding a flight to Israel. This was last checked on 12 September 2026.
Up to 90 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
Through the official application page linked on this page. Yoogo does not process applications and takes no fee for them.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Israel uses ILS. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 12 September 2026.
Full change history for this route →