Colombia and Israel restore 90-day visa-free travel

Israel and Colombia have restored reciprocal visa-free travel for short stays, effective September 1. The bilateral agreement reverses consular visa requirements introduced in July 2025 during a diplomatic dispute, and it once again lets citizens of both countries visit for tourism, academic activities, and business trips for up to 90 days.

What changed

Colombian passport holders no longer need to book consular interviews for a standard tourist visa to enter Israel. Israeli citizens likewise regain routine entry to Colombia without advance paperwork. The change removes the weeks-long consular processing queues that applied over the past year.

There is one important requirement for Colombians heading to Israel: they must obtain an ETA-IL electronic travel authorization before departure. According to the source, the ETA-IL costs 25 Israeli shekels (roughly $7), is valid for multiple entries over two years or until the passport expires, and caps each visit at 90 days. Israel's foreign ministry says applications should go through the official government portal to avoid third-party fees.

At the border, Israeli officials still ask arriving travelers to present an approved ETA-IL linked to a valid passport and confirmed accommodation for the full stay.

What it means for nomads

For remote workers moving between the two countries, the restored 90-day allowance brings immediate flexibility and predictability. Trip planning no longer hinges on securing a consular appointment weeks in advance. Anyone currently holding a consular booking for a leisure or business trip can cancel it and submit the electronic form instead.

One caveat: this is strictly a short-stay tourism and business measure. Neither government expanded work rights, and long-term residency categories are unchanged. If you plan to stay beyond 90 days or work locally, you still need a formal permit through the relevant residency pathways. Visa-exempt entry covers visits, not employment.

In short, casual travel between Colombia and Israel just got easier, but the rules for working or settling remain the same as before.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.