Difficulties on the way to obtaining a visa exemption to the US: In a discussion held today (Wednesday) with the participation of senior Foreign Ministry officials and American officials, it was stated that the goal is for Israelis to be able to enter the US without the need for a visa this year.
Until then, there are still several processes that need to be completed, such as legislation in the Knesset and the implementation of systems.
However, according to a report by Shimon Yaish in Israel Hayom, it is already clear that many Israelis will not be able to receive the visa exemption - simply because of the type of passport they hold. Indeed, the visa exemption will be granted only to holders of biometric passports.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
According to the data, only a little more than half of Israelis hold a biometric passport, while the rest, almost half of Israelis, hold a non-biometric passport.
This means: they will not be included in the visa waiver program.
The Interior Committee, headed by MK Yaakov Asher, presented today the Interior Ministry's new plan to address the backlog in issuing passports, and during the discussion another problem arose: Israelis who have been issued a temporary passport will also not be able to receive a visa exemption when the process is approved and will be forced to stand in lines at the embassy, or wait in the long line to be issued a biometric passport.
Indeed, temporary passports are not biometric, and anyone carrying this type of passport will not be able to enter the US with it.
The difficulty in finding appointments at the Population and Immigration Authority already exists, and it is expected to increase significantly soon, as even Israelis who hold valid passports, but those that are not biometric, will want to make an appointment to have a regular passport issued, when the wait is already about six months.
