WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the commencement of visa-free travel for eligible Israeli citizens and nationals to the United States. This follows Israel’s recent admission into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Starting today, Thursday, October 19, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can begin applying for authorization to travel to the United States through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
On September 26, 2023, DHS, in consultation with the Department of State, designated Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. This program allows eligible travelers to apply online for authorization to travel to the United States through ESTA. Successful applicants can travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa.
The DHS states that Israel has formally pledged to the United States that all American citizens carrying a U.S. passport can enter Israel without any discrimination based on national origin, religion, or ethnicity. The United States constantly oversees the adherence of all Visa Waiver Program countries, including Israel, to the program’s regulations to ensure their compliance.
According to the DHS, Israeli citizens and nationals who wish to be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program need to possess a passport book with biometric features. If travelers have temporary or emergency travel documents, non-biometric passports, or travel documents from a country not designated under the Visa Waiver Program, they are not qualified for travel under the program. In such cases, the DHS advises these individuals to apply for a U.S. visa instead.
ESTA applications may take up to 72 hours for processing. The ESTA application will be available in English only at this time and will be available in other languages no later than November 1, 2023, the DHS said.
ESTA is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon completion of an ESTA application, travelers are notified of their eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Individuals traveling under the Visa Waiver Program for an intended stay beyond 90 days may be determined to be inadmissible to the United States. Individuals determined to be inadmissible will be refused admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Traveling on a visa may still be the best option for some travelers such as those who would like to stay in the United States longer than 90 days or those who think they may wish to extend their stay or change their status once in the United States.
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