Palestinian visa resources
Who controls entry to Palestine
Understanding the dual system in which the Palestinian Authority handles civil status while Israel controls borders and visas.
Important
Palestine's immigration reality is unusual: the Palestinian Authority, through the Ministry of Interior and General Authority of Civil Affairs, administers Palestinian civil status, passports, the population registry and the coordination of foreign-resident requests — but it does not control the external borders, airspace or visa issuance.
The West Bank is entered through Israeli-controlled crossings and airport, with entry and longer-stay permits decided by the Israeli military body COGAT under its published procedure for the entry and residence of foreigners. Gaza is entered through the Erez crossing (to Israel) and the Rafah crossing (to Egypt), both of which are tightly controlled and frequently closed.
Because of this split, travellers must satisfy both the Palestinian coordination side (for anything beyond a short visit) and the Israeli/Egyptian control side. Always confirm the current position with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior and the relevant border authority before making plans.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.