Israeli Citizens : Visa Free Travel To US Coming Soon
Israeli Citizens : US Government Expands Visa Waiver Program
Israeli Citizens : In a landmark decision poised to reshape international travel, the United States government is on the verge of welcoming Israeli citizens into the Visa Waiver Program.
This groundbreaking initiative, expected to unfold this week, is part of a broader diplomatic move by the Biden administration. The decision comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions related to the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinian Americans.
Just last week, it was officially announced that Israel is making significant progress toward joining the Visa Waiver Program, marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations.
The process is divided into two pivotal phases, with the first phase involving entry into the program and the final phase encompassing its implementation and commencement, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Israeli officials, cautiously optimistic, were quoted as saying, “Until it actually happens – it’s better to wait; the final decision regarding the start of the program is in the hands of the Americans, and the situation may change…We will wait and hope for the best.”
Israeli Citizens & Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program falls under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, which currently extends visa-free travel privileges to citizens of 40 countries, with the majority hailing from Europe and Asia. Under this program, eligible travelers can visit the United States for up to three months without the need for a visa.
According to sources cited by The Jerusalem Post, the final phase of implementation is expected to take approximately one to one-and-a-half months, barring any unforeseen delays.
This timeline suggests that, if executed as planned, Israeli citizens could begin traveling to the United States without the need for a visa as early as December of this year.
As with other participating countries, Israeli citizens seeking to take advantage of this opportunity will be required to register on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website, where a nominal fee of $21 will grant Israeli Citizens visa-free access to the United States for up to two years.
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