Israel Entry Requirements for Russian Citizens

On this page, you can find about the requirements you need to meet to travel to Israel as a Russian national.

Depending on the length of your stay and travel purpose, you’ll need to either obtain an ETA IL or an Israel visa for Russians.

Read on to find out if you qualify to apply for the Israel ETA for Russian citizens and how to meet the requirements.

Do Russian Citizens Need a Visa for Israel?

Russian citizens do not currently need a visa for short-term visits to Israel for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, or transit.

Because of a bilateral agreement between Russia and Israel, Russian passport holders can enter Israel visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

However, Russian citizens, along with other visa-exempt nationalities, are required to obtain an ETA-IL before entering Israel. This new system aims to streamline the entry process while maintaining security measures.

ETA-IL requirements for Russians involve having a Russian passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the planned stay in Israel.

The passport you use to apply for the ETA-IL must be the same one you use to travel to Israel. This is because the ETA is electronically linked to one individual passport.

Because of this, Russian dual nationals with multiple passports must choose one document to both apply for the ETA and travel to Israel.

Additionally, if a Russian traveler obtains a new passport, changes their name, gender, or citizenship, they must apply for a new ETA-IL.

What documents do Russians need to travel to Israel?

You’ll need the following documents for traveling to Israel as a Russian citizen:

How long can Russians stay in Israel?

You can stay in Israel for up to 90 days within every 180-day period with an approved ETA-IL for Russians.

As the ETA is valid for 2 years from issue, or until your passport expires, it allows you multiple entries to Israel during its validity.

If you wish to remain in Israel for longer than 90 consecutive days, you’ll need to apply for one of the Israel visa types from an Israeli embassy or consulate in Russia.

The ETA-IL allows Russian citizens to visit Israel for various short-term purposes.

Here are the main travel purposes permitted with an approved ETA-IL:

It's important to note that The ETA-IL does not allow work, long-term study, or permanent residency in Israel. You must not engage in paid work while in Israel on an ETA-IL.

Russian citizens should ensure their travel purpose aligns with these permitted activities to avoid issues at the border. For longer stays or other purposes, you may need to apply for one of the Israel visa types.

You can complete the Israel ETA application right here on Travel Israel ETA in just a few simple steps:

After you submit your application, the ETA will be processed within 3 days. Once the ETA is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email at the address you provided when filling out the application.

Apply for ETA-IL

Here are some helpful travel tips for Russian citizens visiting Israel:

Remember to stay vigilant and follow local laws and customs to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Israel.

It's important for Russian travelers to Israel to have the contact information of their embassy readily available in case of emergencies or if consular assistance is needed during the stay. You can find these details below.

Additionally, if you do not qualify for the ETA and need to apply for an Israel visa for Russians, you can find details of Israeli diplomatic missions in Russia below.