This follows a year and a half of almost total closure of the Jewish state to all but a select few!
By Nosson Shulman: Licensed Tour Guide of VIP Israel Tours & Authentic Virtual Tours (click here to check out his free trailer videos)
In mid March 2020, Israel closed its borders to almost all foreigners and its booming tourism industry came to a screeching halt overnight with no known end date in sight. It has remained that way ever since, but there now finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel!
Starting Monday November 1st, foreign (vaccinated) tourists will finally be able to enter the country for the first time in a year and a half, providing they meet certain conditions. The criteria (issued by the Israeli government) are that foreign tourists must not have visited a red country within 14 days (as of this writing no country is considered red by Israel). They must also enter through Ben Gurion airport, and be vaccinated with a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine such as Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, etc.
Persons that received Moderna or Pfizer vaccines must have had two shots, and 14 days must have passed since the second shot was taken, while less than 180 days since the second shot has elapsed. Those that have received a booster (3rd) shot more than 14 days before arrival may enter the country, even if 6 months have elapsed since their shot. Other vaccines will have their own criteria.
Recovered individuals from 45 countries (including the EU) who had Corona Virus and recovered within the last 6 months may enter Israel even without a vaccine (though they will need to prove it with official documents). If more than 6 months have elapsed since Corona, individuals from these countries may only enter Israel if they have also received a booster shot from one of the approved vaccines. As of now, this does not apply to US or Canadian citizens who cannot enter without getting the vaccines, even if they have recovered.
Anyone wishing to visit Israel must perform a PCR Test up to 72 hours before an outbound flight and must fill out a passenger declaration of health. According to the website of the Israel Consulate General in Los Angeles) they are two categories of declarers:
1) Passengers with a verifiable digital certificate will scan or upload their immunization or recovery certificate to the incoming passenger form and receive a green pass before boarding the plane.
2) Passengers who do not have a verifiable digital certificate will declare their vaccination status in the incoming passenger form and fill out an application to shorten the isolation period. Then, they will attach the relevant documents to receive a green pass before boarding the plane.
When boarding their flights, they will need to present certain documents such as their negative PCR test result (for more on that, check out the website of the Israel Consulate General).
Upon landing, another PCR test will need to be done. Tourists will need to remain in isolation until they either receive the results or 24 hours have elapsed (whichever comes first).
For more information on the criteria for entering Israel, the vaccines which are accepted, boarding requirements, documentation, and more, it is recommended to check the website of the Israeli consulate general.
With tourists now being allowed to enter the country, it is hoped that Israel will once again become a major tourist destination for people all over the world looking for their unique, one-of-a kind experience!
Disclaimer
The author of this article is not an attorney, and this article should not be construed as legal advice or an authoritative source. This article is for informational purposes only and should never be relied upon. The author takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of this article. It is highly recommended for anyone wanting to enter Israel to do their due diligence and independently verify that they are indeed qualified to enter the country, and to ensure that they have the appropriate documents to successfully do so.
Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here. To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel, click here.
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