As of October 19, 2023, eligible individuals from Israel can start applying for authorization to travel to the U.S. via the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This comes after the DHS, in conjunction with the Department of State, officially inducted Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program on September 26, 2023. The move was schedule to begin later in this year, but was likely sped up based on the ongoing conflict in the region.
The program facilitates eligible travelers to apply online for travel authorization to the U.S. through ESTA, allowing successful applicants to journey to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without needing to obtain a U.S. visa beforehand.
Key Requirements:
– Eligible Israeli citizens and nationals must hold a biometrically enabled passport book.
– ESTA applications could take up to 72 hours for processing, and initially, the application will be available in English only, with other languages to be included by November 1, 2023.
– Travelers holding non-biometric, temporary, or emergency travel documents, or documents from a non-Visa Waiver Program designated country are not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program, and may instead apply for a U.S. visa.
ESTA is an automated system designed to assess eligibility to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program and to evaluate if such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon the completion of an ESTA application, travelers are informed of their eligibility to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. DHS utilizes the application data to vet travelers before authorizing travel to the U.S.
It’s crucial to note that individuals traveling under the Visa Waiver Program intending to stay beyond 90 days may be deemed inadmissible to the U.S. Moreover, individuals admitted under the Visa Waiver Program who overstay their authorized period will be removable under the Visa Waiver Program and ineligible for future Visa Waiver Program travel. For some travelers, such as those desiring to stay in the U.S. longer than 90 days or those who may want to extend their stay or change their status once in the U.S., traveling on a visa might still be the preferable choice.
Israeli citizens and nationals possessing valid B-1/B-2 visas can continue to utilize them for business and tourist travel to the U.S.
You can apply for ESTA authorization here or download the “ESTA Mobile” app through the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.
This new development significantly eases the process of traveling to the U.S. for many Israeli citizens and nationals, making business and leisure travel more accessible and hassle-free. We at Massa Viana Law are at your service to provide further clarification and assistance regarding this update and how it may impact your travel plans.
