South Africa
Israel
Israel visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
South African citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for Israel, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- Israel visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at embassies.gov.il
Which Israel visa?
ETA-IL – Electronic Travel Authorization to Israel
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days per visit
- Fee
- ₪25
- Processing time
- Usually 24 to 72 hours, sometimes a few minutes
Israel’s ETA costs ₪25 at the standard rate published by its authorities; the official site for it is israel-entry.piba.gov.il. Processing time, as Israel states it: Usually 24 to 72 hours, sometimes a few minutes. Longest stay on the ETA: Up to 90 days per visit.
Where to apply in South Africa
Israeli citizens travelling to South Africa
IsraelSouth Africa Visa-free, 90 days South Africa visa for citizens of Israel
Travel advice for Israel
- US State Department Level 3: Reconsider travel
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) Advises against all travel to parts of the country
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Before travelling from South Africa to Israel, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates Israel at Level 3, reconsider travel (updated 22 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to parts of Israel (updated 27 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Israel (updated 29 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in Israel
South African citizens may stay in Israel for up to 90 days. The stay granted is recorded on entry to Israel.
How South African citizens apply
South African citizens apply for the ETA for Israel online on its official government portal before departure; it is linked to the passport they travel with.
Israel’s neighbours for South African citizens
Palestine admits South African citizens visa-free. Lebanon requires South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Israeli citizens travelling to South Africa
Israeli citizens do not need a visa for South Africa: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Israel?
South African citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for Israel, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can South African citizens stay in Israel?
South African citizens can stay in Israel for up to 90 days with an ETA.
How much does the Israel ETA cost?
Israel’s official sources give a standard fee of ₪25 for the ETA. Processing time: Usually 24 to 72 hours, sometimes a few minutes.
Do Israeli citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Israeli citizens do not need a visa for South Africa: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.
Can South African citizens enter Israel visa-free?
No; South African citizens need an ETA for Israel.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.