The United States has announced the designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which allow citizens and nationals of Israel to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a Visa.
Following joint statement that was released by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, stated that by November 30, 2023, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated.
Which the update also applied to Israel’s travel policies, all US citizens may request entry to Israel for up to 90 days for business, tourism, or transit without obtaining a visa, a step to further strengthens security, economic and people-to-people ties between the United States and Israel.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken while reacting to this development said, “Israel’s entry into Visa Waiver Program represents a critical step forward in our strategic partnership with Israel that will strengthen people-to-people engagement, economic cooperation, security coordination between our two countries”.
He added that, “This important achievement will enhance freedom of movement for US citizens, including those living in Palestinian Territories or traveling to and from them.”
Also, Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas said, “The designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program is an important recognition of our shared security interests and the close cooperation between our two countries”.
Mayorkas stated further that, “This designation, which represents over a decade of work and coordination between the United States and Israel, will enhance our two nations’ collaboration on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and our other common priorities.
“Israel’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program, and the stringent requirements it entails, will make both of our nations more secure”, Secretary of Homeland Security added.
The statement added that the Visa Waiver Program is designed to enhance the security of the United States and partner countries while encouraging legitimate travel and commerce.
The program builds comprehensive security partnerships between the United States, designated countries that meet strict requirements related to counterterrorism, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, document security, and border management.
These requirements include confirmation that a country issues secure travel documents, extends visa-free privileges to all U.S. citizens without regard to national origin, religion, or ethnicity; works closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities.
And for initial designation, has a rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals below 3% during previous full fiscal year. Israel put forth significant whole-of-government effort to meet program requirements, passing multiple new laws, establishing information sharing systems, and implementing new entry procedures for all U.S. citizens.
In advance of this designation, Israel made updates to its entry policies to meet the VWP requirement to extend reciprocal privileges to all U.S. citizens without regard to national origin, religion, or ethnicity.
DHS monitored Israel’s compliance with these requirements, engaged with Palestinian-Americans both living in the West Bank and living in the United States, who now have the ability to enter Israel visa free, and fly in and out of Ben Gurion airport, reducing barriers to travel for these Americans.
It said further that this designation is not the end of the process. As is the process with all VWP countries, the U.S. Govt will continue to engage with the Govt of Israel while monitor continued implementation of all program requirements, including reciprocity commitments it made to the United States on July 19, 2023.
Under the VWP, on November 30, 2023, citizens and nationals of Israel will be able to apply online for authorization to travel to the United States through the ESTA. These authorizations are generally valid for two years. Israeli citizens with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use them for business and tourist travel to the United States.