Chaim V'Chessed

Israel Entry FAQ

Published January 13, 2022 5:04 PM IST

Updated February 20, 2022

UPDATE: On March 1, entry rules to Israel change dramatically, see here for current rules.

As of Sunday, January 9, Israel’s borders are open to many vaccinated or recovered tourists. However, many of the entry rules and regulations are confusing and complicated. The Chaim V’Chessed Bureaucratic Staff has prepared this helpful FAQ to ease your journey.

Israeli Citizens/ Permanent Residents

Israeli citizens or permanent residents (toshavei keva) may enter Israel, regardless of vaccination/recovery status.

Visa Holders and their Children

  • As of February 2, all holders of A-class visas, which includes student visa holders and their dependents, are now able to enter Israel even if they are unvaccinated/ non-recovered.
  • A-class visa holders, where both parents hold valid visas, are now able to bring their unvaccinated/non-recovered children under 18 into Israel, even if the children do not hold valid visas.

Foreign Tourists

Currently, travelers who are recognized as recovered/vaccinated by Israel may enter Israel, under certain conditions:

Vaccinated

  • Travelers who are vaccinated twice may enter Israel, provided that six months have not passed since the second vaccine.
  • Any vaccine recognized by the World Health Organization is acceptable for entry to Israel.
  • Travelers who have received a booster shot may enter Israel, even if more than 6 months have passed. As of now, this extension is expiring on May 31, 2022.
  • The single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine is sufficient, if received in the past 180 days.
  • Fourteen days must have passed since the latest vaccination; one may enter Israel on the fifteenth day. The day of vaccination counts as day one.

Recovery

  • Individuals registered as recovered from within Israel in the past six months may enter Israel.
  • Recovered individuals from the EU, UK, Switzerland, and other countries that are part of the EUDCC who have digital proof of recovery in the last six months, are eligible to enter Israel. 
  • Recovery from the US, Canada and other non-EU countries is NOT accepted by Israel for entry. 
  • Vaccinated persons, who also recovered from Covid in the US or Canada, cannot enter Israel if 6 months have passed since their second vaccine. 
  • Having received monoclonal antibodies does not affect entry status to Israel.

Recovery and Vaccinated

  • Travelers with accepted recovery from more than six months prior to travel (as above), plus at least one vaccination from any time, are eligible for entry. Fourteen days must have passed since the vaccination. As of now, this classification is expiring on March 31, 2022.

Children

  • Babies up to twelve months of age may enter Israel; there is no need to fill out an entry form for them. They will need to quarantine as unvaccinated travelers upon arrival.
  • Children from age 1 and up may only enter Israel if they are fully vaccinated or recovered (with digitally verifiable recovery). This effectively means that children under age 5 from the US, Canada and many other non-EU countries cannot enter Israel, as vaccination is not offered for those ages.

Special Exceptions

Foreigners who do not meet the requirements outlined above are barred from entering Israel.  Special entry permits are granted only in very limited circumstances. These currently include:

  • Life and death emergencies
  • Funerals
  • Chosson/kalla and their first degree relatives

Prior to Travel to Israel

  • Travelers must submit this online Entry Form within 48 hours of departure to Israel. Vaccination/recovery details must be entered, and documentation must be uploaded. If completed successfully, an entry declaration and a Green Pass will be sent via email.
  • Bring the entry declaration and the Green Pass to the airport.
  • Travelers of every age must present a negative Covid test. This can be a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, or a supervised antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure.
  • Travelers who present a positive PCR/NAAT or Antigen test taken no less than 8 days and no more than 90 days prior to travel are exempt from the pre-flight Covid test, and may board the flight with presentation of the positive test result.

Quarantine

  • Quarantine for vaccinated/recovered travelers is 24 hours or until receipt of a negative PCR, the earlier of the two.
  • Unvaccinated/non-recovered passengers (Israelis, visa holders, or foreigners with special entry permits) must quarantine for 14 days. This may be shortened to 5 days with a negative Covid test on the first (PCR in the airport) and fifth (this can be PCR or Antigen) days.
  • Quarantine hotels have been abolished; travelers may quarantine in their own homes.

Leaving Israel

  • Travelers leaving Israel no longer need to take a test for exiting Israel. However, they may need negative Covid tests as required by their destination countries.
  • For instance, the US requires a negative PCR or antigen test for all incoming passengers. This must be taken no more than one calendar day before departure. For example, if traveling on Motzai Shabbos, one may test on Friday. However, if traveling after midnight, the test must be performed after Shabbos ends.
  • Recently recovered patients are exempt from the US requirement. They must present a positive PCR/NAAT or supervised antigen test taken within the last ninety days in addition to a recovery letter from a doctor.
  • For a partial list of Corona testing sites in Israel, see here.

Please see here for complete details on entry to Israel. 

This information is subject to frequent changes. Follow www.chaimvchessed.com or subscribe to our updates for further developments.