A landmark announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that starting immediately, qualified Israeli citizens and nationals can travel to the United States without a visa. "As of today, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can take advantage of the Visa Waiver Program to travel to the United States for short-term visits without obtaining a U.S. visa," according to the DHS press release dated Oct. 19, 2023.
According to the DHS press release dated Oct. 19, 2023, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can now take advantage of the Visa Waiver Program. To be eligible, applicants must possess a biometrically enabled passport book. The DHS recommends that travelers who plan to stay in the U.S. for longer than 90 days, or those who may wish to extend their stay or change their status, should consider applying for a U.S. visa instead of using the Visa Waiver Program.
Eligible Israelis can now apply for travel authorization through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). However, the ESTA application is currently only available in English and may take up to 72 hours for processing.
According to the press release, the DHS informs, "As part of this vetting process, information that identifies suspected or known violators of the law and other persons of concern will be provided to the appropriate law enforcement, national security, and/or counterterrorism agency."
Israeli citizens and nationals who already hold valid B-1/B-2 visas are unaffected by this change and may continue to use these visas for business and tourist travel to the United States. Israel's participation in the Visa Waiver Program came after the country provided written commitments to the U.S., assuring nondiscriminatory entry for U.S. citizens regardless of their national origin, religion, or ethnicity.
This new development in visa-free travel strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel, facilitating easier travel for eligible Israeli citizens and nationals.
