Israeli authorities have announced that, starting July 1, they will extend the requirement for Israeli Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) prior to travel to Ukraine and Moldova.
As reported by VisaGuide.World, the new decision means that from next week, citizens of Ukraine and Moldova will need to apply through the ETA-IL system with at least 72 hours’ notice.
Authorities in Kiev and Chisinau have warned of reciprocal measures, which officials at the Ukrainian embassy in Israel have argued would effectively end visa-free travel.
Ukraine will introduce similar pre-approval requirements for Israeli nationals, including pilgrims. Details of these e-visas are currently under discussion in Kyiv. These reciprocal measures will affect the thousands of religious pilgrims who visit Ukraine each year.
Embassy of Ukraine in Israel
As a result, the two countries are considering reciprocal measures, which would require Israeli citizens to pre-register before traveling to Ukraine.
1/1 From July 1, 2024, the ETA-IL system will be launched in Israel and will apply to Moldovan nationals traveling to Israel, and the Republic of Moldova will be asked to respond by reciprocal decision.
Alex Roitman, Ambassador of Moldova to Israel
The Israeli authorities have implemented the ETA-IL system, which allows holders to enter Israel and stay for up to 90 days per visit. This type of permit is valid for two years and allows multiple trips of up to 90 days within that period. If your visit will last longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for an extension of stay.
ETA-IL will be implemented in all countries from August
Israel’s electronic authentication system has been in effect for citizens of Germany and the United States since June 1 of this year. At the time, Israeli authorities said it would be extended to other countries from July 1, 2024, and to all countries from August 1, 2024.
Before applying for the permit, applicants will be informed if they meet the necessary conditions for ETA-IL based on their country of origin. They will then be required to answer a few questions in addition to paying a fee of 25 NIS. Applicants will receive a response within 24-72 hours.
Last year, Israel received a total of 3.01 million international visitors, a 12.5 percent increase from the 2.67 million travelers registered in the 2022 statistics. Due to the war, Israel received only 180,000 visitors in the fourth quarter of last year.
