Israel: do South Africans need a visa?

Tourism, family visits, business meetings and short courses. Work of any kind, including volunteering, needs a separate visa (B/4 volunteer, work or student visas are applied for through VFS Global in South Africa). Working without permission can lead to detention and deportation.83

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

At least 3 months (90 days) beyond your date of arrival, with one blank page. If you later want to extend your stay, the passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the requested end date.9563

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Apply online only at the Population and Immigration Authority portal, israel-entry.piba.gov.il. Fee NIS 25, paid online, non-refundable. Valid 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is first; each visit up to 90 days. Apply at least 72 hours before departure; the application must be finished in one session. Children need their own ETA-IL.561073

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Online at israel-entry.piba.gov.il; there is nothing to submit in person. For visas (work, study, volunteer, or a refused ETA-IL), the Embassy of Israel in Pretoria has stopped taking applications in person since 7 August 2023 and uses VFS Global South Africa. VFS lists a B/2 visitor visa at R540 visa fee plus R395 service fee, about 7 working days.811

Confirmed on an official government source

Not mandatory for entry. Strongly advised to buy insurance that covers medical evacuation and conflict-related disruption. Many policies exclude travel against government advice.61213

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Not published as a formal entry rule. Border officers may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds; a ticket is one of the documents accepted when applying to extend a stay.9

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Not published as a fixed amount. Officers may ask; proof of funds is listed as an alternative to a ticket in the extension procedure.9

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Not published by official sources

No vaccinations required by Israel. Israel is not a yellow fever risk country, so no yellow fever certificate is needed to return to South Africa, unless you transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a yellow fever risk country on the way.61014

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

No paper arrival form. At Ben Gurion airport passports are not stamped; you get a small entry card (gate pass) instead. Keep it with your passport as proof of legal entry. Some travellers are given restricted entry such as 'Palestinian Authority only'.5

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

To stay longer, book an appointment with the Population and Immigration Authority and apply in person. Fee NIS 195. You need a passport valid 6 months past the requested date, a photo, proof of funds or a ticket, and a letter explaining why. Overstaying can lead to detention, deportation and a later entry ban.95

Confirmed on an official government source

Not published for airside transit. Few travellers transit Israel. Anyone entering Israel, including at land crossings with Jordan (Allenby or King Hussein Bridge, Sheikh Hussein, Yitzhak Rabin or Wadi Araba) and Egypt (Taba), needs an ETA-IL. These crossings may close at short notice.515

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Each child needs their own ETA-IL. A child aged 17 or under travelling alone or with one parent should carry a parental consent letter with accommodation and contact details. Also carry South Africa's own documents for minors leaving SA.510

Confirmed by other governments' official advice