Chaim V'Chessed

Current Requirements for Entering Israel

Published on August 19, 2021 Print this guide

Updated January 12, 2022 8:20 PM IST

As of January 9, vaccinated/recovered tourists will once again be permitted to enter Israel. Rules are not yet clear regarding exceptional circumstances for others to enter, as well.

Follow www.chaimvchessed.com for updates.

Who May Enter Israel

  • Israeli citizens, as well as toshavei keva may board flights to Israel by presenting an Israeli passport or a teudat zehut, regardless of vaccination or recovery, and regardless of the classification of the country from which they are traveling.
  • Visa holders, such as Toshavei Arai and student visa holders, are able to enter Israel, provided they meet the vaccination/ recovery requirements listed below. Babies under 12 months may enter with their vaccinated/recovered parents. Visa holder children under 12 years old are able to apply for special permits to enter Israel; see here for more information.
  • Tourists, from all countries, are permitted to enter Israel, provided that they have been vaccinated or recovered by Israeli standards in the past six months. Babies under 12 months may enter with their vaccinated parents. Please note that these are the current definitions of recovered/vaccinated according to the Israeli guidelines:

1. Vaccinated: You have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by the World Health Organization*, and 14 days have passed since your last vaccine. If you are 180 days past your last vaccination, a booster must be taken, and another 14 days need to pass to be considered vaccinated again.

2. Recovered: You have a positive PCR/NAAT Covid test from at least 11 days ago; no more than 190 days must have passed from the date of the PCR. These results must be digitally verifiable, such as in countries that are part of the EUDCC, which notably includes the UK and Switzerland, among other countries. Other results are not accepted. This means that recovered patients from the United States, Canada and other countries will not be granted entry if they are not fully vaccinated, with the last dose in the last six months.

3. Recovered and Vaccinated: You have a digitally verifiable, positive PCR/NAAT Covid test, and at least one vaccination from any time, provided that 14 days have passed from the vaccination. 

  • In certain extenuating circumstances, permits will continue to be issued for foreigners who are not fully vaccinated/recovered. (JAN 8 UPDATE: These circumstances may include the following; details are still not final: Funerals, medical emergencies, grandparents for a bar/bas mitzva, grandparents for a birth, and parents/grandparents/siblings of someone getting married in Israel. Applications should be made via Israeli consulates or embassies abroad, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site, here. Israelis can also apply through Misrad Hapnim here. For a detailed explanation of which documents are needed for each case, and how to apply, see here. In cases of serious emergencies, you may contact Chaim V’Chessed after applying.)

Process for Entering Israel:

  • All travelers entering Israel must fill out this Entry Form within 48 hours of travel. See here for a clear, instructive tutorial, prepared by Amudim, which can assist you in submitting the form accurately.
  • If completed successfully and you are a tourist or visa holder, you will receive an email stating that you are permitted to board your flight, with a תצהיר כניסה לישראל (Approval to Board Flight) and a Tav Yarok (Green Pass). If you receive a rejection, it is quite likely that an answer was filled in incorrectly. If this happens, open the link again, and resubmit, while reading each question carefully. While you complete the health declaration you will see a link to upload your proof of vaccination. At this time, it is mandatory to upload these documents, and can sometimes cause technical glitches.
  • If completed successfully and you are an Israeli citizen or permanent resident, you will receive an email stating that you are permitted to board your flight, with a תצהיר כניסה לישראל (Approval to Board Flight) which specifies your quarantine requirements, based on your vaccination status.
  • Bring to the airport: (All documentation can be paper or digital)
    • A negative PCR test which was taken within 72 hours of departure. Alternatively, an antigen (rapid) test can be taken within 24 hours of departure. This must be taken at an official lab and documentation in English must be presented, including your passport number. Tests taken at home are NOT accepted. NOTE: If you recently had Covid, you may present a positive PCR test taken at least 11 days and no more than 90 days prior to travel in place of a negative test.
    • Your תצהיר כניסה לישראל.
    • Unvaccinated children of student visa holders from ages 1-12 must present a permit. One may fly until, and including, the expiration date on the permit.
    • Israeli citizens or permanent residents must present their Israeli passport or teudat zehut.
    • Your vaccination or recovery record.

Upon Arrival in Israel

  • All passengers arriving in Israel, regardless of age, are tested for COVID. This includes vaccinated or recovered persons, as well. While it is not mandatory to arrange an appointment in advance, you will pay less if you do so. You will have an option to prepay at the end of the aforementioned Entry Form.
  • Fully recovered/vaccinated travelers entering Israel from Orange countries will be permitted to perform a shortened quarantine. They will be permitted to exit quarantine after 24 hours or upon receiving negative PCR results, the earlier of the two. 
  • Unvaccinated/non-recovered passengers (Israelis or foreigners with special entry permits) entering from Orange countries are required to quarantine for 14 days. This may be shortened to 7 days with a negative PCR test on the first and seventh days.