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🇿🇦 Does a South African need a visa for Israel 🇮🇱?
No visa, but an ETA. South African passport holders do not need a visa for Israel, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) online before travelling.
Rule updated from Wikipedia's “Visa requirements for South African citizens” (checked 2026-10-04); the older passport-index dataset (January 2025) listed Visa-free for up to 90 days. Entry rules change: confirm with the embassy of Israel or its official government website before you travel.
⚠ U.S. State Department travel advisory for Israel: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (updated 26 August 2026). It is written for U.S. citizens; read the advisory before you book.
What this means for your trip
An ETA (electronic travel authorisation) is not a visa: it is an online pre-screening that airlines check before boarding.
It is normally approved within minutes to a few days; apply before you book non-refundable travel.
Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.
Israel at a glance
Capital: Jerusalem · Currency: Israeli new shekel (ILS, ₪) · Official languages: Arabic, Hebrew · Calling code: +972
Plugs and voltage
Some of your plugs fit (C, D, M); for type N plugs bring a travel adapter for Israel's sockets (C, D, H, M).
Your embassy in Israel
If your passport is lost or stolen, or you need help in an emergency in Israel, contact the embassy of South Africa:
- Embassy of South Africa, Tel Aviv · Abba Hillel Silver Street 12 · safis.co.il
Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.
Easier destinations near Israel for South African passport holders
- 🇬🇪 Georgia — Visa-free 360 days
- 🇶🇦 Qatar — Visa-free 30 days
The other way round
🇮🇱 Israeli passport holders visiting South Africa: Israeli passport holders can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
The South African passport at a glance
All destinations for South Africa passport holders → · Who needs a visa for Israel →
Questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Israel?
South African passport holders do not need a visa for Israel, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) online before travelling.
Does an Israeli need a visa for South Africa?
Israeli passport holders can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.