Israel and Colombia will mutually lift visa requirements effective September 1, 2026

Israel and Colombia have announced that they will reinstate reciprocal visa-free entry for short stays effective September 1, 2026. The decision was announced on August 20, 2026, by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Bela Escobar agreed to lift the reciprocal visa requirements. This brings to an end a period of mutual entry restrictions that began in 2025 and affected travelers from both countries.

Specifically, this means that, as of the effective date, Colombian nationals can once again enter Israel for tourism purposes without having to apply for a visa in advance. Conversely, travelers from Israel will once again have visa-free access to Colombia for short stays. The reinstatement of visa-free travel follows an improvement in bilateral relations between the two countries.

The background to this latest change is a decision by Israel on May 14, 2025, which introduced a visa requirement for Colombian nationals for the first time. Previously, travelers from Colombia could enter Israel for tourism purposes without a visa. Several Israeli diplomatic missions subsequently confirmed this requirement, meaning that travelers from Colombia have since needed a regular tourist visa before traveling to Israel.

Of particular relevance to travelers from Colombia is that, with the return to visa-free travel, eligibility for the ETA-IL electronic travel authorization is once again on the horizon. This digital entry authorization replaces the traditional visa process for eligible nationalities and allows for a straightforward online application before travel. If you want to make sure in advance which regulations apply to your nationality, you’ll find an up-to-date overview of all entry requirements on our page about visas for Israel.

Until the official implementation on September 1, 2026, we recommend that all travelers keep an eye on the currently applicable entry requirements, as regulations regarding visas and electronic travel authorizations may change at short notice. If you’re already planning a trip to Israel and want to play it safe, you can learn more about the ETA-IL for Israel or, if necessary, apply for a traditional tourist visa for Israel. We handle the complete review of documents and submission of the appropriate application for our clients, ensuring there is no uncertainty regarding the current regulations.

For business travelers, students, or workers who wish to travel to Israel for other reasons, the specific visa requirements continue to apply regardless of this change. We provide support for all common categories—from tourist to business and professional stays—and guide applicants through the entire application process.