Israel

Mixed results; a meaningful share of registrants have been refused.

DifficultLatest Aug 2026high confidence

Based on 19 reports. Score 0.33 on a scale from −1 (always refused) to +1 (always admitted), with recent reports counting most. Rated Difficult because about 49% of recent trips by current registrants ended in refusal. How scoring works

What to expect

Of the five reports since 2025, four describe travelers who were no longer on any registry flying into Tel Aviv and entering with no questions.¹²⁴⁵ The fifth, from 2026, had an automatically approved ETA-IL revoked days before departure and could not board; a consulate gave no explanation.³ Outcomes for currently registered travelers in 2023 varied widely: one was denied entry at the airport after seven hours and a stated US warning, two were admitted after lengthy secondary questioning, and several passed through in seconds.^11–18

Written by an AI model from the reports below on October 19, 2026. The numbers link to the reports each sentence is based on. Read those before you decide.

Common questions

Can registered sex offenders enter Israel?

It's rated Difficult: Mixed results; a meaningful share of registrants have been refused. Of 2 trips reported in the last two years by people on a US registry, 1 ended in entry and 1 in refusal.

Do Israel's border officers know about US registrants in advance?

In 2 reports, officers appeared to know before the traveler arrived, which usually points to a US advance notification (often called Angel Watch).

How do travelers usually arrive in Israel?

Reports on file describe 8 by air. Outcomes can differ by how travelers arrive; each report below says which.

Reports

Been to Israel? Share your trip

1Aug 2026 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Tel Aviv
After being removed from all registries, the traveler flew into Tel Aviv without entry problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
2Jan 2026 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Tel Aviv
After getting off all registries, the traveler flew into Tel Aviv and entered without problems; they believe no advance notice was sent.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
32026
Not allowed to board · By air, Tel Aviv (intended)
The traveler obtained an ETA-IL electronic travel authorization about a week before the flight, which was automatically approved, but it was revoked a few days before departure. A consulate visit produced no explanation, saying the file was sealed, and the traveler believed an advance notification from US authorities caused the revocation. They were unable to board the flight.
RSO Travel Matrix trip report form · Traveler report · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
4Oct 2025 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Tel Aviv
The traveler, no longer listed or required to give advance notice but still having a conviction, flew to Tel Aviv without any apparent notification being sent or entry problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
5Mar 2025 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
After getting off the registry, the traveler flew directly and entered without any notification issue.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
6Dec 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Tel Aviv
The traveler flew into Tel Aviv and entered without issues, believing no advance notice had been sent for that trip.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
7Aug 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
The traveler flew direct to Israel within the past year and entered without issue.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
8Apr 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
After coming off the registry, the traveler flew directly from the US and entered without problems, with no sign that authorities had received any advance notification.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
9Apr 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
After coming off the registry, the traveler flew directly into Israel and was admitted without problems. Officers issued a separate stamped slip of paper rather than stamping the passport.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
10Mar 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
The traveler flew directly and entered with apparently no advance notification sent by US authorities.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
11Aug 2023 (reported)
Admitted, no issues
The traveler reported being admitted to Israel multiple times in recent years, while noting outcomes vary by individual.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
12May 2023
Refused entry · By air, airport passport control
Scanning the passport at the automated kiosk sent the traveler directly to a border agent, who made a call and directed them to a waiting area. After roughly seven hours of waiting and questioning about the purpose of the trip, employment, finances and the conviction, officers said they had received a warning from the US and denied entry, putting the traveler on a flight back that night.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
13May 2023
Admitted, no issues · By air, Tel Aviv
The traveler flew to Israel via a connection in Istanbul and reported no entry problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
14Apr 2023 (reported)
Admitted after questioning · By air
A traveler reported entering Israel on multiple occasions; once passage was quick, but on other visits they were taken to secondary screening before being admitted, which they described as a hassle.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
15Apr 2023
Admitted, no issues · By air, Israeli airport passport control
The traveler arrived by air, used a self-service kiosk that scanned the passport and photographed the traveler and issued a 90-day B2 stay permit, then passed passport control in about five seconds and collected baggage without questioning. Any advance notice from the US appeared to have been ignored.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
16Apr 2023
Admitted, no issues
The traveler reported no issues entering, though border crossings involved lengthy security checks and fees.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
17Jan 2023 (reported)
Admitted after questioning · By air
A traveler said they have been sent to secondary screening in Israel several times on arrival and questioned at length about their case, but were admitted each time; they advised having a return ticket within the 90-day tourist period and hotel receipts.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
182023
Refused entry
Another registrant was reported to have been refused entry to Israel a short time after the poster's own April visit.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Secondhand
19By 2022
Refused entry
Row from the RTAG Travel Matrix, an undated summary last maintained around 2021.
Registrants turned away
Yes
Law bars sex offenders
No
Law bars people with felonies
No
Has its own offender registry
No
Notes
Some people have been questioned and allowed to stay.
Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG) · Legacy matrix · Summary