Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa to visit IL?

HKSAR ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for short tourist stays in Israel, but since 1 January 2025 they must obtain an approved ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) online before boarding. It costs NIS 25, allows stays of up to 90 days per visit, and is valid for up to 2 years. Holders of a Hong Kong SAR ordinary passport are visa-exempt for tourism and short business visits to Israel. However, Israel's Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) rolled out a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization, ETA-IL, that has been compulsory for all visa-exempt travelers since 1 January 2025 (a soft launch began 1 June 2024). HKSAR passport holders must therefore apply online at the official portal israel-entry.piba.gov.il and receive an approved authorization before they travel; airlines will deny boarding without it. The ETA-IL is electronically linked to the passport, costs NIS 25 (about USD 7), and is valid for up to two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. It permits multiple entries with each tourist stay limited to 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least six months on arrival. Israel is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and EU ETIAS do not apply here. Final admission and length of stay are always at the discretion of the Israeli border officer. Travelers should use only the official .gov.il portal and avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees.