All country guides
- Dialing Code
- + 972
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +2
- Daylight Savings Time
- From last Friday in March until last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +3
- Language
- Hebrew and Arabic
- Best Time to Go
- Year-Round
- Currency
- New Israel Shekel (ILS)
Travel Tips
- Certain foreign currencies including ZAR may be accepted as payment.
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, but some travellers prefer bottled water.
- English is widely spoken.
- Israel is a predominantly Jewish society and respect to religious customs should be shown. Shalom is the usual greeting.
- Dress is casual, but more conservative clothing should be worn when visiting religious sites – especially for women. Women should take care to note the dress codes before entering certain sites and neighbourhoods (people wearing immodest clothing may be spat on or attacked).
- Shabbat (Sabbath) is from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Banks, official and government buildings and most stores and restaurants will be closed. It is recommended to check in advance before visiting a certain location during Shabbat. Smoking during Shabbat is considered extremely disrespectful.
- Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans and before entering the Palestinian Authority. Visits to the Gaza strip should be avoided.
- You can choose not to have an Israel stamp in your passport as records are being kept electronically.
Last updated 2 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Israel
428 Kings Highway, Lynnwood, Pretoria
Tel: 012 470 3524
FP
E-mail: consular@pretoria.mfa.gov.il
Website: embassies.gov.il/pretoria
Public Holidays
2026
April: 2, 8, 22
May: 22
September: 12 - 13, 21, 26
October: 3
Visa Application Centre
Those requiring a visa should apply through VFS Global:
Website: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/isr/
Email: Infoisrael_za@vfsglobal.com
Telephone: +27 (0)12 425 3022 FP
Visa Requirements
No visas are required by South African passport holders for a stay of up to 90 days, but an ETA-IL must be applied for prior to arriving in Israel
- Apply online at: israel-entry.piba.gov.il/ FP
- Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond arrival date
- The application must be completed in one go, and cannot be saved.
- Travel Information, passport details and personal details must be provided during the application.
- There is an application fee of 25 NIS, payable online
South African Representative Abroad
Embassy is closed until further notice
Website: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/telaviv/