Israel on the way to a visa waiver program for the United States: The number of visa application rejections from Israelis dropped below 3 percent in 2022.
The meaning: Israel could, subject to several procedures that include legislation, soon enter the exemption program.
Among the requirements that Israel must meet are completing the legislative process, implementing and operating joint information systems for both countries, as well as reciprocity - Americans, regardless of religion, race, or origin, will also be able to enter Israel and land at Ben Gurion Airport.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
A senior official at the US Embassy in Israel was quoted in 'Kan News': "This is just the first stage - there is still a lot to come. The visa waiver program is a security program between the countries. The Israeli government still needs to do a lot on the issue, a lot of things and requirements that need to be met in order to be in the program.".
He added: "There are laws that need to be passed - and in addition to that the entire Israeli government, and this is true for everyone - needs to go through the technical requirements to be in the program. Regarding information sharing, information systems sharing, and all of this needs to be examined in a short time. The window for Israel to complete all of these things - is until September of this year, September 2023. It is very short.".
'The 'percentage of refusals' was very significant in the process, since one of the conditions for a country to be included in the exemption program is that this figure must be lower than 3% - a target that Israel has failed to meet for years.
The Foreign Ministry estimates that this year the need for visas for Israeli citizens visiting the United States will be eliminated, and that "within months, Israeli citizens will be able to visit the United States without the need for a visa.".
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen: "This is good news for all Israeli citizens! I estimate that as early as this year, Israelis will be able to visit the United States without the need to obtain a visa from the American embassy. I thank United States President Joe Biden for his support and leadership in granting visa exemption to Israelis.""
