The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/us-visa-waiver-program/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:58:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png US Visa Waiver Program | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/us-visa-waiver-program/ 32 32 US plans to order tourists, including from Israel, to disclose social media histories https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-plans-to-order-tourists-including-from-israel-to-disclose-social-media-histories/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:10:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3710474 Under proposal, visitors from 42 visa-waiver countries, including Israel, UK and France, would be required to submit five years of social media activity before being granted entry

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]]> Israelis can now renew biometric passports online from home, cutting out long waits https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-can-now-renew-biometric-passports-online-from-home-cutting-out-long-waits/ Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:05:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3278857 New system only available for those who already have a biometric travel document, and will only enable renewal for five years -- not long enough to obtain US visa waiver

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]]> US to restrict visas for those abusing spyware to target journalists, activists https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-to-restrict-visas-for-those-abusing-spyware-to-target-journalists-activists/ Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3219353 Move seen as attempt to pressure Israel and undermine local companies such as the NSO Group, with policy likely to target regular workers and even investors

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]]> Israeli entry into US Visa Waiver Program goes into effect https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-entry-into-us-visa-waiver-program-goes-into-effect/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 21:33:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3129255&preview=true&preview_id=3129255 Citizens with biometric passport can travel to US by filling out online form up to 72 hours before trip, will be able to remain in US for up to 90 days for business or pleasure

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]]> Daily Briefing Oct. 3: US visa waiver ‘is gamechanger’ for bilateral ties and travel https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-oct-3-us-visa-waiver-is-gamechanger-for-bilateral-ties-and-travel/ Tue, 03 Oct 2023 10:00:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3110879 US bureau chief Jacob Magid discusses visa waiver program success; news editor Luke Tress looks at award for anti-Israel ex-UN official; Jessica Steinberg talks Sukkot events

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]]> Ex-envoy Nides: Visa waiver success proves Israel can make concessions when it wants https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-envoy-nides-visa-waiver-success-proves-israel-can-make-concessions-when-it-wants/ Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:38:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3105928 Jerusalem agreed to reforms regarding Palestinian travelers that it initially thought were 'nuts,' former ambassador tells ToI, offering lesson as Saudi normalization moves forward

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]]> US admits Israel into Visa Waiver Program, in major boost to bilateral ties https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-admits-israel-into-visa-waiver-program-in-major-boost-to-bilateral-ties/ Wed, 27 Sep 2023 12:00:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3106063 Israelis will be able to travel to US visa-free in 2 months after the country meets all requirements, including easing restrictions on Palestinian-Americans

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]]> FM: Israel joining US Visa Waiver Program; State Department: No decision made yet https://www.timesofisrael.com/fm-israel-will-join-us-visa-waiver-program-state-department-no-decision-yet-made/ Tue, 26 Sep 2023 01:53:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3105155&preview=true&preview_id=3105155 Eli Cohen hails ostensible acceptance into program as 'important news for all Israelis'; Washington is widely expected to announce decision later this week

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]]> Israel expects US announcement on entry into visa waiver program next week https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-expects-us-announcement-on-entry-into-visa-waiver-program-next-week/ Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:24:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3103963 Jerusalem believes Washington will declare acceptance into VWP on Thursday, allowing visa-free travel within two months

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]]> Israel eases entry for Gazan-Americans, meeting US Visa Waiver Program benchmark https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-eases-entry-for-gazan-americans-meeting-us-visa-waiver-program-benchmark/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 19:20:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3093932&preview=true&preview_id=3093932 COGAT publishes new guidelines that extend to US citizens from Strip after outcry over their exclusion; US, Israel will form panel to address outstanding discrimination issues

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]]> In last-ditch plea, 15 senators tell Blinken not to okay visa-free travel for Israelis https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-last-ditch-move-15-democrats-urge-blocking-israeli-entry-into-visa-waiver-program/ Sun, 10 Sep 2023 00:21:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3092612&preview=true&preview_id=3092612 Democrats argue in letter that Israel won't be in compliance with requirements of VWP, since Palestinians are still being discriminated against at ports

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]]> US said to investigate El Al’s alleged discrimination against Palestinian-American https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-said-to-investigation-el-als-alleged-discrimination-of-palestinian-american/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 03:30:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3083585 US Transportation Department launches probe after journalist barred from boarding flight following hours of screening; case comes as Israel aims to enter US Visa Waiver Program

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]]> We’re ‘on cusp’ of entry into US Visa Waiver Program — Israeli official https://www.timesofisrael.com/were-on-cusp-of-entry-into-us-visa-waiver-program-israeli-official/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:18:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3080087&preview=true&preview_id=3080087 Biden administration still waiting to see that Israel eases travel restrictions for Gaza Americans, cuts down on harassment of US travelers by September 30 deadline

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]]> Some Democrats ‘dumbfounded’ by Biden’s willingness to hand major gifts to Netanyahu https://www.timesofisrael.com/some-democrats-dumbfounded-by-bidens-willingness-to-hand-major-gifts-to-netanyahu/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 13:50:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3065281 Two lawmakers say timing not right to add Israel to Visa Waiver Program or to broker a Saudi normalization deal, actions that will bolster PM's far-right government

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]]> Israel says it will ease travel curbs for Gazan Americans following outcry https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-says-itll-ease-travel-curbs-for-gazan-americans-following-outcry/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:35:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3066752 Deal signed ahead of Israel's anticipated entry into Visa Waiver Program de-prioritized Americans from Strip, but Israeli official says they'll be able to use Ben Gurion Airport

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