Citizens with biometric passport can travel to US by filling out online form up to 72 hours before trip, will be able to remain in US for up to 90 days for business or pleasure
Israelis became eligible to travel to the US without a visa on Thursday, the Israeli Embassy in Washington announced.
The US admitted Israel into its Visa Waiver Program on September 27. But it said that up to two months would be needed to have measures in place for Israelis to be able to begin taking advantage of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization that is used instead of a visa for citizens of the 41 countries that are members of the Visa Waiver Program.
In the event, American authorities managed to finish their preparations well ahead of time, allowing the announcement to be made on Thursday.
While the news had been long awaited by many Israelis, the rejoicing was muted as it came less than two weeks after the October 7 Hamas terrorist onslaught in southern Israel in which over 1,400 were killed. Israel sufficed with a late-night statement from its embassy in Washington.
Israeli citizens with a biometric passport will now be able to travel to the US by applying for an ESTA application up to 72 hours before their trip.
If approved, they will be able to stay for up to 90 days on tourist or business trips without first obtaining a US visa.
Congratulations Israel for becoming part of the Visa Waiver Program! We are proud of this joint success, bringing the American and Israeli people even closer together. pic.twitter.com/loPRY7leh5
— Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Stephanie Hallett (@USAmbIsrael) September 27, 2023
 Israelis who still have valid visas may continue to use them until they expire. Those above the age of 18 without a biometric passport are not eligible for an ESTA application.
Those who are deemed ineligible for travel through ETA may still apply for a regular visa to enter the US.
Israel was formally admitted into the program last month after years of efforts from both governments, solidifying a major boost to bilateral ties.
Previously, Israelis were forced to wait many months, sometimes just to schedule an appointment in order to secure a visa.
Israel had sought entry into the VWP for several decades, but this past fiscal year was one of the first times it met a key requirement — a visa application refusal rate below three percent.
That feat came after an intensive campaign led by former US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides and the US Embassy in Jerusalem aimed at informing Israeli travelers how to properly fill out visa application forms, though it also received an assist from atypically low travel numbers due to the pandemic.
However, it took until the last minute for the countries to iron out the details of another key component of the VWP — that Israel grants reciprocal travel rights to all US travelers akin to those provided by the US to citizens of countries participating in the program.
Biden Administration officials briefing reporters last month clarified that the US would continue to monitor Israel’s compliance with the VWP requirements and reserves the right to suspend or terminate Israel’s membership in the program if it violates the terms.
TIMES OF ISRAEL
