Israel entry requirements for Australian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Smartraveller): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Smartraveller): Read the official text below
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Israel travel advice, section “Travel” · page updated 15 October 2026, still current at 18 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
Whether Australians need a visa for Israel and how long an Australian passport must be valid, as published by Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Canadian passport (Israel and Palestine)
Do Australians need a visa for Israel?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The first official sentence does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Visas and border measures”:
Each country or territory decides its own entry and exit rules, including health border screening measures. To find out what you need to enter a destination, ask their embassy, consulate or immigration office.
Visas
All foreigners visiting Israel, including Australians, must obtain either an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) or a visa before arriving in Israel.
If you plan to visit Israel for less than 90 days, you may be eligible for the ETA-IL. Otherwise, you will need to get a visa before you travel.
ETA-ILs are valid for 2 years or until your current passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that if you receive an ETA-IL approval to travel, you should not have to reapply during the approval period.
To check your eligibility and to apply for the ETA-IL, visit the ETA-IL website.
Failing to obtain an entry permit may result in a refusal of entry by Israeli border authorities.
The Australian Government can't intervene on your behalf, and our ability to provide consular assistance in these circumstances may be limited.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, security checks, currency, customs and quarantine regulations:
- check the Israel Government Portal
- contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Israel
- Embassy of Israel in Australia
Also in the official “Travel” section:
Departing Israel
Borders can open and close and entry and exit requirements can change without notice, especially during a conflict.
Check the latest information from local authorities on entry requirements and border arrangements. Plan for possible delays at border crossings. Make sure you have all documentation, and enough food, water and medication.
Transport routes may be disrupted. Roads may be crowded and exposed to military action or have damage, including to bridges and facilities. Use your judgement to decide the best time and safest means of exit.
Check the Access Coordination Unit for border crossing hours.
Israel and Egypt border
There have been security incidents in the southern city of Eilat and the surrounding area near the Gulf of Aqaba. This includes the border crossing with Egypt near Eilat.
The Taba border crossing (Menachem Begin Crossing) between Israel and Egypt is open. The crossing may close or have restricted hours at short notice.
To avoid long wait times at the border, pay the Israeli crossing fee online before you arrive.
You must pay for a tourist visa and a land border entry fee to enter Egypt. If you intend to travel onward from Taba or Sharm El-Sheikh to Cairo, you will need to pay an additional fee. Payments should be made in US dollars in cash, card payments are not accepted. ATMs at the border should not be relied upon.
Holders of Australian passports may enter Egypt through the Taba border crossing without obtaining a visa in advance. Upon arrival, your passport will be stamped with a Sinai-only entry permit, allowing a stay of up to 15 days in the Sinai Peninsula. Official website fees must be paid at the border crossing.
Note: The purchase is valid only for the specific date of purchase and cannot be changed or refunded.
More information:
- Travel advice for Egypt
Israel and Jordan border
There are two land border crossings between Israel and Jordan:
- Sheikh Hussein/Jordan River near Irbid
- Yitzhak Rabin / Wadi Araba near Aqaba.
There is also a border crossing from Israel via Palestine (West Bank) to Jordan:
- Allenby Bridge/King Hussein near Amman (cannot be used by Israeli passport holders).
Land border crossings to Jordan may open and close at short notice.
Check the latest public information from local authorities in Israel and Jordan to ensure border crossings are open, including Israel's National Emergency Portal (accessible only in Israel).
You need a visa to enter Jordan. Multiple visa options are available on the Ministry of Interior webpage, depending on your needs. Visas on arrival are available. Single-entry visas valid for 30 days can be obtained at any border crossing. The visa fee must be paid for in cash at land border crossings. Exchange services and card facilities may not be always available at the land crossings. Be prepared for delays when crossing into Jordan if getting a visa on arrival.
More information:
- Travel advice for Jordan
Israel and Palestine border
Israeli authorities may close crossings to the West Bank or impose strict security measures on local holidays or due to security incidents, including after terrorist attacks.
Land border crossing entering or exiting Gaza (Palestine) is extremely difficult. Israeli authorities control the Erez crossing into northern Gaza from Israel. The crossing has been closed since October 2023.
More information:
- Travel advice for Palestine
Other formalities
Israeli authorities can subject you to a security and police record check if you're entering Israel.
Authorities may refuse you entry or exit without a reason.
Security officials may question you at length. They may also conduct an intensive search of your bags and person when you arrive and depart.
If you're travelling to protest against Israeli policies, authorities may refuse you entry. You'll be returned to the country where you boarded, including if you arrive by boat.
Authorities can deny you entry if you have association with, or belong to, an organisation that has called for a boycott of Israel or Israeli settlements.
We can't intervene if you don't meet Israeli entry or exit requirements.
Entry card
You'll get an entry card instead of an entry stamp on arrival in Israel.
Keep this card with your passport until you leave. The card is evidence of your legal entry into Israel. Authorities may ask for it during your stay.
If you plan to travel to other countries after Israel, read the travel advice for each country. Some countries may refuse you entry if:
- your passport shows you have travelled to Israel
- your luggage or possessions show you've been to Israel
Travel restrictions
Travel restrictions may apply to some visitors in Israel. There's no clear information about who may be restricted.
Anyone registered in the Palestinian Population Register, including Australian passport holders of Palestinian descent, is prohibited from entering Israel through Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and must enter and exit Palestine through the Allenby border crossing.
Airport officials may ask you to sign a form that stops you entering Palestine.
In these situations, the Australian Embassy has limited ability to step in.
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Israel travel advice, section “Visas and border measures” · page updated 15 October 2026, still current at 18 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
How long must my Australian passport be valid for Israel?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The official sentence does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Passport”:
Validity
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months before entering or departing. This includes for transit.
If your passport expires too soon, you might not be able to travel.
The Australian Government doesn’t make these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you go. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to get a new passport.
The same section also has Smartraveller's general notes (“Lost or stolen passport”, “Passport with 'X' gender identifier”), the same on every destination page: read them on the official page.
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Israel travel advice, section “Passport” · page updated 15 October 2026, still current at 18 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
For Australian passport holders. These rules are published by Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), for Australian citizens. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not an Australian Government site and is not endorsed by DFAT. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for Israel (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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