Palestine Entry Requirements

Palestine Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Most travelers reach Palestine by crossing the Allenby (King Hussein) Bridge from Jordan, while others land at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport and continue into the West Bank. Israeli officers, not Palestinians, issue every entry permit and run every border check. You will not find a Palestinian immigration stamp. Your passport must stay valid for six months past arrival. Instead of a stamp you receive an Israeli entry card that also covers the West Bank and Gaza Strip (if Gaza access is granted). Keep this card handy. Every checkpoint inside Palestine may ask to see it. Rules shift with little warning. Before departure, double-check the latest requirements with the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority and with the nearest Palestinian diplomatic mission. Reaching Gaza demands a second permit from the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). If your passport already carries Israeli border stamps from previous Arab-country visits, expect extra questions at the booth.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days

Travelers whose countries hold visa-waiver deals with Israel may pick up a 90-day tourist visa at the counter.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea all EU/EEA members Singapore Malaysia

The entry card replaces a passport stamp. Overstay the allotted time and you will face fines and possible future bans.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
90 days

Some nationalities must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) before they board any flight to Israel.

Includes
Turkey South Africa Russia Ukraine Brazil Argentina Chile Mexico
How to Apply: File the form online at eta.gov.il at least 72 hours before departure. Print the approval email or save it to your phone.
Cost: Small service fee charged online

You will still receive the same entry card on arrival. The ETA clears you to board. But border officers make the final call.

Visa Required
30, 90 days depending on embassy discretion

If your country lacks a visa exemption or ETA option, secure a B/2 tourist visa in advance.

How to Apply: Apply at the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate. Bring your itinerary, hotel booking, return ticket, and proof you can pay your way.

Processing can stretch to 14 working days. Applicants from certain countries may also need clearance from Israeli security agencies.

Arrival Process

Expect Israeli security screening at land crossings and airports. Stay calm, answer questions directly, and keep every document within reach.

1
Primary Passport Control
Hand over your passport and any pre-approved ETA or visa. Officers often ask why you are going and where you will stay in Palestine.
2
Security Interview
A short interview covers your travel history, contacts in Palestine, and plans. Keep answers brief and honest.
3
Baggage Scan
Luggage passes through X-ray; officers may ask you to power on electronics. Remove SIM cards if requested.
4
Permit Issued
You will receive a blue entry card and a small white slip. Keep both; hotels and checkpoints in Palestine may demand to see them.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Valid for at least six months beyond arrival date
Return or onward ticket
Airline or bus ticket exiting Israel/Palestine
Hotel reservation or invitation letter
Name and address of your first lodging in the West Bank
Travel insurance certificate
Recommended for medical coverage inside Palestine

Tips for Smooth Entry

Print copies of hotel bookings and itinerary in English or Arabic.
Avoid mentioning Gaza unless you already hold a Gaza entry permit.
Allow 2, 3 hours for processing at Allenby Bridge during peak periods.

Customs & Duty-Free

Israeli customs rules apply at every port of entry to Palestine. Declare anything that exceeds allowances or falls under restricted categories.

Alcohol
2 liters of wine and 1 liter of spirits
You must be 18 or older. Alcohol is sold in Palestine hotels but may be scarce outside Ramallah and Bethlehem.
Tobacco
250 cigarettes or 250 grams loose tobacco
Must be 18 or older. No duty-free allowance for e-cigarette liquids.
Currency
Declaration required for cash or equivalent exceeding 50,000 NIS
Complete form 84 at the red customs channel.
Gifts/Goods
Up to 200 USD per person duty-free
Items must be for personal use. Electronics over 200 USD may attract VAT.

Prohibited Items

  • Weapons or ammunition, criminal prosecution
  • Fresh meat and dairy, agricultural disease risk
  • Radio transmitters, security regulations

Restricted Items

  • Drones, import permit from Israeli Ministry of Communications required
  • Religious items in bulk, may be questioned as intended for resale

Health Requirements

No vaccinations are compulsory for entry from most countries. But routine immunizations should be up to date. Health requirements shift quickly, check again before departure.

Required Vaccinations

  • None for travelers from polio-free countries

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Routine boosters (MMR, DPT, flu)

Health Insurance

Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly advised. Only a few hospitals in Ramallah and East Jerusalem accept foreign insurance directly. Carry proof of coverage and emergency contact numbers.

Current Health Requirements: As of June 2024, COVID-19 PCR tests and quarantine are no longer required. Check with the Israeli Ministry of Health the week before travel. Rules can snap back without warning.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Israeli Population and Immigration Authority
For visa applications and official entry information: piba.gov.il
Emergency
Emergency services inside the West Bank
Dial 101 (ambulance), 100 (police), 102 (fire)

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Bring the child's passport and a notarized consent letter from the non-accompanying parent if only one parent is traveling. Birth certificates that list both parents help at checkpoints.

Traveling with Pets

Dogs and cats need an Israeli import permit plus proof of rabies vaccination given at least 30 days and not more than one year before arrival. Pets may enter only through Ben Gurion Airport cargo terminal.

Extended Stays

Tourists can request a single 90-day extension at the Israeli Interior Ministry office in East Jerusalem. Work or study visas require employer or university sponsorship arranged before arrival.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

View Palestine Packing List →