Israel is now included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for travel to the United States. Under this program, individuals from participating countries can apply for travel to the U.S. for both business and tourism purposes, with a maximum stay of 90 days, without the need for a prior visa application. Likewise, a reciprocal agreement is established for U.S. citizens who wish to travel to Israel for business or tourism, allowing them a 90-day stay without a visa requirement. This agreement will come into effect on November 30, 2023, and necessary updates to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be in place by that date. Israeli citizens holding valid B1/B2 visas can still utilize these visas for their business or tourist travels to the United States.

The primary objective of the VWP is to foster international business and tourism partnerships. To be eligible for participation, countries must adhere to stringent criteria related to law enforcement, immigration administration, border management, and other relevant factors. Furthermore, these countries must issue secure travel documents, provide visa-free privileges to all U.S. citizens, and meet specific thresholds for nonimmigrant visitor visa denials. In the case of Israel’s inclusion, this involved the establishment of systems for information sharing, the implementation of new entry processes for U.S. citizens, and the enactment of new legislation.

The U.S. government is actively working with Israel to oversee the implementation and compliance with these requirements.

If you have any inquiries concerning the VWP program or any immigration-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact us. We active follow ongoing developments in U.S. immigration policy to ensure that our clients get the right advice, every step of the way.