From November 30, 2023, Israeli citizens will be able to use ESTA to travel to the United States. This significant easing is the result of Israel's entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which paves the way for closer relations between the two countries and promotes economic and security cooperation.
A quick and easy online process
From now on, all Israelis have to do is fill out an online application via the ESTA electronic authorization request system and pay around US$20 to obtain their electronic travel authorization. This new procedure replaces the old method, which required submitting an application to the American Embassy in Israel. As Visamundi announced several months agoThis news is the fruit of lengthy negotiations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"Today we are marking an important and happy moment for all citizens of Israel.Israel has been designated into the US Visa Waiver Program, at long last, after many years. pic.twitter.com/VyGmWWX6ot
- Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 27, 2023
This development marks a major turning point in the rapprochement between the two nations and strengthens their strategic partnership, as underlined by Antony Blinkenthe US Secretary of State.
Equal treatment for all American citizens
In return for this agreement, Israel agreed to lift restrictions on Palestinian-American citizens and to guarantee equal treatment for all travelers holding a valid US passport, regardless of ethnic origin, skin color or religion.
During the trial period preceding the agreement, around 100,000 Americans, including tens of thousands of Palestinians, were able to visit Israel and travel directly to the West Bank without having to obtain a visa first.
The benefits of the new program for Israeli citizens
In addition to the simplicity and speed of the e-visa process, the main benefits for Israeli nationals are :
- Time-saving The ESTA system provides a rapid response and avoids unnecessary trips to the embassy or long queues.
- Saving money With lower application fees than before, and less travel involved, travelers will save a significant amount of money.
- Less stress From now on, Israeli citizens will be able to plan their trips to the United States without fear of visa refusal.
NEW: @SecMayorkasin consultation with @SecBlinkenannounced the designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program. Learn more ⬇️https://t.co/M1E74oIe2f pic.twitter.com/Jo5H0klaLQ
- Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 27, 2023
Mutual recognition against a backdrop of enhanced cooperation
The decision to include Israel in the U.S. visa waiver program is the result of a reciprocal agreement between the 2 countries, and is part of an increasingly close economic, political and security cooperation.
Antony Blinken underlined the importance of this agreement in strengthening ties between the two nations and contributing to the security and prosperity of their citizens.
Joint efforts to reach an agreement
This agreement is the fruit of hard work by Israeli and American officials from both administrations. In addition to Benjamin Netanyahucurrent Israeli Prime Minister, it is worth mentioning the efforts made by his predecessors Naftali Bennett And Yair Lapid who have worked hard to meet the requirements for access to the visa waiver program.
Fill in a file from ESTA USA
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