As of 2024, Belarusian citizens entering Israel must acquire a mandatory document called the ETA-IL prior to entering the country. This new entry requirement is a part of Israel’s new visa waiver program, which will require citizens of every visa-exempt country to go through a minor bureaucratic process to enter the country.
The ETA-IL is an electronic document, which is applied for digitally using an online application form. As the entire process is electronic, the process is typically quick and efficient. However, it is important to get it right: the ETA-IL will be as essential a travel document as your passport, and without it, you may be denied entry.
What is the ETA-IL and does it work?
The ETA-IL is an electronic document that serves as proof of your authorization to enter Israel. It is comparable to a number of equivalent programs around the world, such as the American ESTA or the EU ETIAS.
Eligible citizens must apply for the ETA online. Once approved, they are sent the document via email. This document must be ready on each traveler’s phone to show to airport personnel, both before departure and after arrival.
Do citizens of Belarus need a visa to enter Israel?
While the ETA-IL is a mandatory travel document, and is sometimes even referred to as an ‘e-visa’, it is not a visa and should not be confused with one. Belarusian citizens need a valid ETA for short-term visits; they do not need to apply for a visa.
Unlike a visa, the application process for an ETA-IL is simple and straightforward. The application is done entirely online, and should take no longer than about 15 minutes. There is no need to go through your embassy, or to provide extensive documentation regarding the purpose of your stay. It is also a far less expensive process; all that is required for the ETA-IL is a small processing fee paid by card when you apply online.
The ETA-IL also arrives far more quickly, typically taking around 2 weeks to be sent to you by email.
How do you apply for an ETA-IL?
The application is done online through a form. To apply for the ETA, you will need:
- Your passport. Make sure this passport will be in date when you go on your trip; ETA applications are passport-specific.
- A credit or debit card, to pay the processing fee
- A computer or phone with internet connection
- An email address you have access to; this is how the form will be sent to you.
You will be asked to enter personal details and details about your trip. These include things like:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Country of birth
- Whether you have other citizenships
- Passport information, such as number, date of expiry, and country of issue
- When you are planning on entering and leaving Israel
The application is relatively quick, typically taking only around 15 minutes to fill in.
However, you do need to make sure everything is filled in accurately. Make sure that you also fill in your personal details in the English alphabet; do not use Cyrillic as it may not be recognized by the system.
Tips for a successful ETA application
Most ETA applications are accepted quickly and without issue.
However, in cases where there are preventable delays, there usually is an inaccuracy in the application. Make sure to double check spellings and transliteration, as well as long numbers like passport numbers.
We also recommend that you start early. Although the processing of ETAs is quick at around 2 weeks, once issued, the ETA is valid for two years, meaning there is no need to rush an application or leave it to the last minute.
A summary of travel requirements for Belarus citizens
Belarusian nationals must have a valid ETA-IL saved to their phone before they enter Israel. This electronic document is easily obtained, but it is an essential requirement for all travelers from Belarus into Israel.