Israel Entry Rules: No Covid Testing Or Quarantine For Arrivals

Israel has been a popular destination. This little piece of the Middle East holy land has attracted many visitors since biblical times. Because Israel is a controversial and politically sensitive country, it has attracted some turmoil. Its appeal is immense, and residents don’t have to worry about day-to-day problems. However, visitors love its incredible historical relics and impressive religious sites, as well as its stunning natural beauty.

It’s difficult to travel anywhere in Israel without coming across a place of religious importance, such as the Mount of Olives or the Sea of Galilee. The holy city of Jerusalem is the best. This ancient city is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and it remains a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Jerusalem’s magnificent skyline contrasts with the political landscape. It features striking minarets, beautiful bell towers, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s golden dome. This cultural melting pot is divided into Arabic, Jewish, and Christian quarters. It’s a feast for the eyes and an experience.

Tel Aviv is visually a world away from Jerusalem. Israel’s political and commercial heart is Tel Aviv. It boasts glistening skyscrapers and bustling streets, as well as sandy beaches and contemporary art galleries. There are also excellent restaurants and hedonistic residents. This contrast is strikingly different from Jaffa, the historic port city with sprawling markets and cobbled docks and crumbling city walls. Israel is known for its juxtaposition of the old and the new. You will find ancient cities such as Nazareth or Acre alongside modern metropolises like Haifa (home of the Baha’i Gardens) and Eilat (a beach paradise unlike any other).

Israel’s landscapes offer a wide range of scenery. This sliver of the Middle East has mountains, deserts, and fertile valleys. The Dead Sea, Red Sea and Sea of Galilee coastlines offer everything, from unique geological spectacles to beachside resorts.

You will find a peaceful and charming Nation if you are able to see beyond the headlines.

Entry Requirements

Israel has dropped all Covid-19 entry requirements as of Saturday, May 21.

Tourists can now travel to the Middle East without presenting proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test.

Visitors had to present a negative test within 24 hours of departure. On arrival at Israeli airports, they were required to submit a PCR test and wait until they received a negative result. This process usually takes about 12 hours.

Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky is director of the Israel Government Tourist Office (London).

“With Israel joining other countries in removing all Covid restrictions, I believe the travel industry has reached a critical milestone in this post-pandemic era.”

Tourists don’t require a visa to visit Israel/The Occupied Palestinian Territories. Visitors are allowed to stay up to three months after their entry.

Passengers arriving at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport receive an entry card, not a stamp on their passport. This practice is also in effect at other ports of entry. However, passports have sometimes been stamped to allow entry. Your passport should contain your entry card until you depart. This document is proof of your legal entry to Israel. It may be necessary, especially at crossing points into Occupied Palestinian Territories. Your passport could be stamped with an entry stamp along with two red lines to indicate refusal of entry into Israel.

The Israeli authorities will decide whether you are allowed to enter Israel. Contact the Israeli Embassy if you have any questions about visas and entry to Israel. You can be detained and deported if you are working in Israel without permission. This could take many months. Consular staff cannot help you enter Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They cannot interfere in the immigration policies or procedures of another country.

Israeli border officials sometimes used an entry stamp that stated ‘Palestinian Authority only’, ‘Judea & Samaria only’ at the Allenby Bridge crossing to Jordan and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. This restriction restricts travellers who are issued this stamp because they must go through Israeli checkpoints in order to cross the Allenby Bridge crossing. It is unclear how a traveller who receives a stamp at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport will be able to leave the airport without violating this restriction. This stamp was issued to travellers who are not of Palestinian or Arab ancestry and do not appear to be entitled to a Palestinian Authority ID.

At times, Israeli border officials at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport required travellers to sign a form stating that they are not permitted to enter Palestinian Authority territories unless they have received advance authorization from the Israeli “Territory Actions Coordinator”. Violations of this restriction could result in the traveller being expelled from Israel and banned from entering Israel for up to 10 years. The Israeli Parliament approved a law in March 2017 that allows foreign nationals to be denied entry to Israel if they have called for a boycott or belong to an organisation calling for a boycott. For more information, please contact the Israeli Embassy.

Emergency travel documents

ETDs issued by the UK are ineligible for entry to Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories unless the holder of the ETD is a returning resident. ETDs can be used for exit and transit from Israel by air.

Previous travel to other countries

Although evidence of previous travel to Israel, such as an entry/exit stamp on your passport, will not usually prevent you from entering the country, it could lead to additional questions at the border. The Israeli authorities will determine your right to enter Israel. If you have concerns about past travels to other countries, you can contact London’s Israeli Embassy.

Customs and Immigration

On arrival or departure from Israel, security officers will conduct lengthy personal searches and bag searches. Passengers’ electrical items (including laptops) may be confiscated for security inspection. They can either be stored in the aircraft baggage hold or returned to you in Britain. There may be damage.

You may need to bring valuable personal items such as computers, camcorders or other electronic devices. You may need to pay a security deposit, which can be refunded upon departure.

Israeli security officers have requested access to the personal e-mail addresses and other social media accounts of travellers as a condition for entry.

Occupied Palestinian Territories: How to Enter

The Israeli authorities control entry to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including via sea to Gaza. To cross between Israel and OPTs, you will need a passport and an Israeli immigration slip.

If you intend to enter Gaza unpermitted, you may be detained upon arrival in Israel. You may not be allowed to enter Israel if you intend to work in the OPTs.

Individuals applying for Gaza entry or exit permits cannot be supported by the FCDO. You must contact Israeli authorities in advance if you plan to visit Gaza without FCDO advice. You will need to contact Egypt’s relevant authorities if you plan to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. UK charities who wish to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing are no longer eligible for administrative support from the FCDO. Regularly, the Rafah border closes without warning or for extended periods. Sometimes, the Erez border closes without warning. It may not be possible to leave Gaza or enter Gaza at these times.

Contact the nearest Israeli Embassy for more information.

Before You Travel, Make Sure To Check Your Passport And Other Travel Documents.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Make sure you check with your travel agent to ensure your passport and any other travel documents are compliant with their requirements.

The Best Places To See In Israel

Israel is a surprisingly diverse country for a country as large as New Jersey. Nearly anywhere you go in this Middle Eastern country, you will find historic religious sites that are mentioned in the Bible. There are also ancient Roman ruins and other archaeological ruins that date back thousands of years.

Israel offers a variety of wonderful beaches and outdoor activities, as well as a rich cultural scene. Here’s a list of the top places to visit in Israel.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is considered a holy city by the major religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world. Jerusalem is located high up in the Judean Mountains. It was once home to the Jebusite tribe. King David of Israel captured it 3,000 years ago and made it his capital.

The city has been attacked, besieged and captured many times over the centuries by political and religious opponents. Despite war and time, Jerusalem’s many historical sites are still well preserved. This makes it one of the most fascinating and beautiful cities in the world.

The historic Old City is divided into four sections: Armenian, Christian, Armenian, and Muslim. You can follow the footsteps of Jesus on the Via Dolorosa, visit the Western Wall and pray at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Also, you can tour the Tower of David, which is a mediaeval citadel. The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount are two other important places. Popular attractions outside the Old City include the Garden Tomb and Hezekiah’s Tunnels, Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, the Biblical Zoo, and Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Dead Sea

It is named for a reason: The Dead Sea. It is almost 10 times saltier than the ocean, making it an extremely harsh environment for any organism to thrive in. It’s also the lowest point on land at 400m (1,400ft) below sea level.

Cosmetics have been using the minerals and salts from Dead Sea water for thousands of years. The medical benefits of Dead Sea water, mud and other minerals have been proven to be long-lasting relief for severe joint conditions and skin problems. The health spas at all the luxurious hotels along the coast are booked months in advance.

Masada

Masada is a hilltop in southern Israel that overlooks the Dead Sea. It was the last Jewish refugee to fall to Rome after the First Jewish-Roman War. Herod the Great fortified Masada in the second century BC. The Romans tried to seize the fortress seven years later, but Sicarii Jewish patriots retook it from them.

The 900 Sicarii chose to commit mass suicide rather than live under Roman rule. Masada today is a symbol of ancient Israel. It’s one of the finest examples of Roman fortifications that remains. For those who aren’t interested in taking any of the many paths up the hill, there’s a cable car.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is Israel’s second-largest city and the country’s financial centre. You don’t have to skip Tel Aviv, even if you love nightlife. Tel Aviv is known for being a party town that doesn’t sleep.

The national opera and the philharmonic orchestra are both located in this city. Numerous travel publications have ranked the city as one of the top places to visit in Israel. It is also known for its LGBT-friendly reputation. The city’s Mediterranean beaches are among the best in the world. There are many museums in the city, including Beth Hatefulsoth, which tells the story of Jewish persecution throughout the ages.

Caesarea

Caesarea is both old and new. Herod the Great founded it in honour of Caesar Augustus, who gifted him the city. It became Israel’s only city to be administered by a private corporation in 1952. Antiquities park houses ruin left over from Herod’s extensive building campaign.

Walking through the old city will reveal more ruins. Or you might want to see a reenactment in the hippodrome of horse races. Modern and elegant, the new Caesarea is now. You might want to relax on the sandy beaches or play golf or attend the annual jazz festival.

Returning to the UK

There is no need to fill in a UK passenger locator application before you travel. If you arrive in England, you don’t need to take COVID-19 testing or quarantine.