U.S. Grants Visa-Free Entry to Israeli Citizens as Israel Becomes a Member of an Exclusive List of Countries

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The U.S. government, under the Biden administration, has incorporated Israel into an exclusive roster of nations whose residents can enter the United States without obtaining a visa beforehand.

This landmark decision was revealed on Wednesday, notwithstanding reservations from Washington regarding the Israeli government’s approach to Palestinian Americans. This move represents a significant achievement for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has often been at odds with the Biden administration.

Starting November 30, under the auspices of the waiver program, Israelis will be able to visit the United States for either business or leisure for a maximum period of 90 days without requiring a visa. To facilitate this, they must register through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). However, it should be noted that U.S. officials at entry points retain the discretion to deny admittance.

Israel faced an impending deadline of this Saturday, coinciding with the close of the U.S. government’s fiscal year, to secure its place in the program or risk having to re-apply for eligibility the following year.

Administered by the Department of Homeland Security, this program presently enables citizens from 40 mostly European and Asian countries to travel to the U.S. for up to three months without visa requirements.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the new arrangement, which has been more than a decade in the making, “will bolster our bilateral efforts in counterterrorism, law enforcement, and other shared objectives,” thereby enhancing the security of both nations.

In a joint announcement with Mayorkas, Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the increased “freedom of movement for U.S. citizens, including those residing in or traveling to and from the Palestinian Territories.”

Israeli leaders have long lobbied for this inclusion, which arrives amid widespread protests against Netanyahu’s proposed overhaul of the Israeli judicial system—a move critics argue would diminish the country’s democratic principles.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the development, stating it will save Israeli citizens “significant time, inconvenience, and financial resources.” He emphasized that the decision symbolized the enduring relationship between Israel and the United States.

Nevertheless, Palestinian diplomats and advocacy groups expressed concern that the United States has extended this privilege to Israel without ensuring equal treatment for Palestinian Americans. Reports have emerged that Palestinian Americans encountered discrimination and harassment by Israeli authorities even during the program’s testing phase.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. administration to honor its stated goal of fostering “freedom, equality, prosperity, and security” for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Participating countries must satisfy three critical criteria to qualify for the visa waiver program. Over the past two years, Israel has successfully met two: a low rate of visa application rejections and a minimal number of overstays. However, Israel had difficulties fulfilling the third criterion, which demands reciprocity in treatment for all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans.

Due to claims of national security, Israel has maintained different entry protocols for Palestinian Americans, often viewed as burdensome and discriminatory. Those holding Palestinian residency documents were generally prohibited from using Israel’s international airports, compelling them to travel via Jordan or Egypt.

The United States has emphasized that Israel’s compliance with the program will be under continuous review, and any deviation could lead to the revocation of its special visa-free status.

Prior to the formal announcement, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee filed a federal lawsuit in an attempt to prevent Israel’s inclusion in the program, alleging that Palestinian Americans still face discriminatory practices when traveling to Israel.

Isabel DeBre, a journalist based in Jerusalem, contributed to this report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Visa-free entry for Israeli citizens

More about Visa-free entry for Israeli citizens

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Visa Waiver Program
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
• Joint Statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
• American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
• Statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry
• Coverage on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Reactions
• U.S. Visa Policy and Procedures