Palestine: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need an online travel authorisation before flying to Palestine. You can stay up to 90 days per visit.

No Palestinian visa, but Israel controls all entry to the West Bank and Gaza, so Israel's rules apply. South Africans are visa-exempt for Israel but must hold an approved ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before travelling, whether entering through Ben Gurion airport or the Allenby (King Hussein) Bridge from Jordan. Gaza is closed to ordinary visitors; the UK FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza.4 5 1 2

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism and visits. Israeli officials may make you sign a form restricting entry to Palestinian Authority areas without advance permission from Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories; breaking it risks deportation and a 10-year entry ban (UK FCDO).1

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

At least 90 days (3 months) beyond arrival (UK FCDO). Carry your passport and the Israeli entry slip when crossing between Israel and the West Bank.4 1

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

Apply for the ETA-IL online only at israel-entry.piba.gov.il (Israel Population and Immigration Authority). Fee NIS 25. Valid 2 years, or until the passport expires, for visits of up to 90 days. See the Israel page for full details. There is no separate Palestinian application.4 1

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Online at israel-entry.piba.gov.il. For Israeli visas, the Embassy of Israel in Pretoria uses VFS Global South Africa. For consular help in the West Bank, South Africa has a Representative Office in Ramallah (not verified this session).4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

No vaccinations required. The Palestinian territories and Israel are not yellow fever risk countries, so South Africa does not require a yellow fever certificate when you return directly.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Arrival forms

Israel issues an entry slip instead of a passport stamp; keep it, as it is checked at crossings between Israel and the West Bank (UK FCDO).1

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Crossings: Allenby (King Hussein) Bridge from Jordan, plus the northern and southern Jordan crossings. Rafah (Egypt to Gaza) often closes without notice; Erez (Israel to Gaza) is closed. Checkpoints close without warning during holidays and unrest (UK FCDO).1

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travelling with children

Children need their own ETA-IL (see the Israel page).4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

What changed

22 July 2026UK FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza and within 500 m of its border, and to Tulkarm, Jenin and Tubas governorates, and all but essential travel to the rest of the West Bank, including Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jericho. Iranian strikes across the region since July 2026.

1 January 2025Israel's ETA-IL became mandatory for all visa-exempt visitors, which covers South Africans entering the West Bank through Israeli-controlled crossings.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

4Government of Israel, tourist visa table (via the ISR record researched this session) gov.il
5Israel Population and Immigration Authority, ETA-IL portal israel-entry.piba.gov.il

Other government

Official advice from other governments

1UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office gov.uk
2UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office gov.uk

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.