Covid-19 Requirements
Covid travel requirements are changing almost everyday becoming less stringent as we anticipated. We will keep the “Brief Requirements..” below up to date as best as possible. We encourage you visit the websites below for the newest and most complete information.
Latest Requirements for Entry to Israel:
As of March 1st, Israel will no longer require all visitors to be vaccinated. There are still necessary steps as outlined below.
Pre-departure PCR within 72 hours
Foreign citizens entering to Israel must present a negative PCR test – conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure (from the first point of departure)
Comment: The above is a great improvement over the same initial requirement but within 48 hours vs. 72. You may get that test from a "professional sampler" (vs. at home tests).
The test result must be in English and include the traveller’s passport details.
Those infected and recovered from COVID-19 who present before the flight a positive test result on a PCR test OR antigen test (administrated by a professional
sampler) taken less than 3 months prior, on the condition that boarding is 8 days or more since performing the positive test (the day of the test is day 1).
Paperwork: Below is detailed what’s necessary but it consists of just two forms in addition to your passport and vaccination cards. Journeys Unlimited will assist you in completing those and these will be required 4 weeks in advance of the trip.
Foreign citizens entering to Israel must present a negative PCR test – conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure (from the first point of departure)
Comment: The above is a great improvement over the same initial requirement but within 48 hours vs. 72. You may get that test from a "professional sampler" (vs. at home tests).
The test result must be in English and include the traveller’s passport details.
Those infected and recovered from COVID-19 who present before the flight a positive test result on a PCR test OR antigen test (administrated by a professional
sampler) taken less than 3 months prior, on the condition that boarding is 8 days or more since performing the positive test (the day of the test is day 1).
Paperwork: Below is detailed what’s necessary but it consists of just two forms in addition to your passport and vaccination cards. Journeys Unlimited will assist you in completing those and these will be required 4 weeks in advance of the trip.
Foreign citizens entering Israel must present a negative PCR test – conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure (from the first point of departure)
Comment: The above is a great improvement over the same initial requirement but within 48 hours vs. 72. You may get that test from a "professional sampler" (vs. at home tests).
The test result must be in English and include the traveller’s passport details.
Those infected and recovered from COVID-19 who present before the flight a positive test result on a PCR test OR antigen test (administrated by a professional
sampler) taken less than 3 months prior, on the condition that boarding is 8 days or more since performing the positive test (the day of the test is day 1).
Paperwork: Below is detailed what’s necessary but it consists of just two forms in addition to your passport and vaccination cards. Journeys Unlimited will assist you in completing those and these will be required 4 weeks in advance of the trip.
Paperwork Prior to Departure
Fill out and submit the online Israel Entry Statement Form through the Israeli Ministry of Health website within 48 hours prior to Scheduled Time of Departure
Before reading all the detailed information below, it may be less overwhelming to keep in mind that these are the basic requirements.
Vaccinations and Booster Shots:
You no longer need to have been vaccinated or to have received a booster. ter your initial vaccination at least 14 days before departure and no more that 180 days before your return date from Israel. So if you’ve already been vaccinated then simply get a booster within 180 days of your “Israel Return Date”.
PCR Tests:
You must have a negative PCR test within 48 hours of your departure to Israel. You’ll have another PCR test upon arrival which must be negative and will be taken at the Ben Gurion Airport and the results will be provided to you at your hotel before you tour. Note costs in Detail Information. You’ll have another PCR test before your departure to be able to board your flight and be admitted to the USA.
Vered Hasharon
You will see a company mentioned by the name of Vered Hasharon. This is our sister company in Israel and is one of Israel’s largest and finest “Inbound” companies. They always monitor our tours to Israel but will be more visible and available than ever during your tour. Their contact information will be provided to you in advance of your tour if it's ever necessary to contact them. However your Tour Guide will likely have answers to all your questions and concerns.
Detailed Requirements for Entry to Israel
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You must be vaccinated for more than 14 days before your arrival but less then 180 days. The latter must be within the date of your departure from Israel. If you were vaccinated before than the 180 day period then a Booster will suffice. (Details of the vaccination are explained Below in “Who Can Enter”)
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Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure to Israel, you must fill out and submit the online statement form for travelers arriving in Israel. ( https://corona.health.gov.il/en/flights/ ) There you can also submit your medical certificates. There is a field in the protocol to provide email and Israeli contact - please insert Vered Hasharon’s contact person email, and phone number that will be provided to you well before 48 hours of your departure.
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All people in the group will have to have a PCR test done 72 hours before arrival to Israel. Only those with a negative test result will be permitted to board the flight.
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Tourists entering Israel under the above protocol will also need to have a PCR test upon arrival the airport – Vered Hasharon will book for you. Cost $35 PP
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Tourist will need to quarantine till the answer is received (quarantine can be in the hotel booked) or up to 24 hours. The short one between the two (from our experience the test results usually get in around 8-12 hours) So basically you’re asleep in your hotel and when you get up to begin touring, your test results are at the hotel.
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Tourist found with COVID will be sent to a Ministry of Health hospitalization center (usually dedicated hotels for this cause)
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Every passenger must hold his/her vaccination certificate at all times and present upon request.
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Successful Completion of a third PCR test before departure from Israel which can be administered at your hotel.
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You are encouraged to purchase our Travel Insurance but in addition but you can also purchase low cost (presently $10) Covid Insurance providing lodging, meals, rescheduling of flights, and more. Visit the website in the box below.
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Two additional simple forms then normal for entry in addition to your Passport for which Journeys Unlimited will assist. See below.
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You will need another PCR test before departing Israel to return to the USA which Vered will arrange for you. The cost will be $35 at a medical facility or $85 if you prefer to have it at the hotel.
Vaccination Details
Basically you must be vaccinated (or received a booster) for more than 14 days of your arrival but less then 180 days. The latter must be within the date of your departure from Israel.
Specific Details are as follows:
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Tourist vaccinated by two Pfizer vaccine as far as 14 days or more have passed since the vaccine but not more the 180 days have passed on the day he leaves Israel .
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Tourist vaccinated by two Moderna, or Astra Zenica or Sinobak or Sinopharm vaccine as far as 14 days or more have passed since the vaccine but not more the 180 days have passed on the day he leaves Israel .
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Tourist vaccinated by One Johnson & Johnson vaccine as far as 14 days or more have passed since the vaccine but not more the 180 days have passed on the day he leaves Israel .
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Tourist vaccinated by Booster vaccine as far as 14 days or more have passed since the vaccine.
What’s important for the booster shot is 14 days or more have passed since the second shot or the booster shot the day they leave Israel. Also the 180 days is counted, not 6 months. There’s a few days difference because of 30 and 31 days on the calendar.
Passengers who are vaccinated, but do not fall under items A-D are not allowed to enter Israel.
Forms Required for Entry to Israel
(Journeys Unlimited will assist you in completing these)
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A legible copy of your passport, which you know must not expire within 6 months of your return date.
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A legible copy of your Vaccination Certificate from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, or Johnson.
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Appendix C, which is a document we’ll provide for you to sign accepting the conditions to come to Israel.
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Appendix D, which is a document we’ll provide for you that is a Power of Attorney that gives the power to one of our representatives to represent you in front of the immigration authority in case of quarantine or something like that.
Again, these four documents must be transmitted to our Journeys Unlimited’s office in New York four weeks in advance. There’s no exceptions to that timetable.