Citizens of Israel are now eligible to apply for authorization to travel to the United States through the US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The announcement has been confirmed through a statement provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following Israel’s admission into the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), VisaGuide.World reports.
DHS approved the accession of Israel to the US Visa Waiver Program on September 26, thus giving Israeli nationals the opportunity to enter the US for business or tourism purposes without additional requirements, such as visas for a period of up to 90 days.
These authorizations allow successful applicants to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a US visa. Israeli citizens and nationals with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use them for business and tourist travel to the United States.
Nationals from Israel are required to have a biometrically enabled passport book, the statement from DHS emphasizes. Travelers holding non-biometric, temporary, or emergency travel documents or travel documents from countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program are not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and may instead be required to apply for a US visa
DHS has also stressed that those who overstay their authorized period of stay will be removable under this program and ineligible for future Visa Waiver Program.
Individuals traveling under the Visa Waiver Program for an intended stay beyond 90 days may be determined to be inadmissible to the United States. Individuals determined to be inadmissible will be refused admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Previously, the government of the United States announced that it admitted Israel into the VWP, confirming that Israelis would be eligible to travel visa-free starting from November 30.
Such a decision is expected to bring benefits for both the United States and Israelis.
Recently, the US Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said that the admission of Israel to the US Visa Waiver Program is set to bring to the US a total of $1.8 billion.
According to Freeman, admission to this scheme is expected to bring a total of 200,000 additional Israeli travelers per year, thus generating a total of $800 in direct travel spending and producing an economic impact of $1.8 billion.