“This decision shows the strong ties between the two countries,” said acting U.S. Ambassador to Jerusalem Stephanie Hallett.
By Amichai Stein, JNS
Israel on Wednesday joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which will allow Israeli citizens to travel to America for 90 days without a visa.
“This decision shows the strong ties between the two countries,” said acting U.S. Ambassador to Israel Stephanie Hallett in a briefing to journalists.
Israelis will still need a visa to travel to the United States until the bureaucratic process is finalized, which is expected to be sometime before Nov. 30.
Only those Israelis with a biometric passport valid for a decade will be eligible to benefit from the waivers.
According to the envoy, the new procedure will require Israelis to fill out a digital form on the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) site, which checks the eligibility of travelers in visa-waiver countries to enter the United States. Answers will be received within 72 hours.
Once granted, eligibility will last for two years. Israelis who travel to the United States for longer periods, such as for studies or work, will still need regular visas.
Also, dual Israeli-American citizens will not be able to enter the United States using their Israeli passports but instead must continue to enter and leave the country with valid American passports.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recommending that Israel be admitted to the program.
The letter was “largely a technical procedure” but required before Mayorkas makes the final decision, Axios reported. The deadline for the U.S. decision was Sept. 30, after which Israel would have had to apply again.
The Visa Waiver Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the State Department.