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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 534

US Visa Waiver Program

An Israeli passport on January 18, 2023. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
April 30, 2024, 6:05 pm
Israelis can now renew biometric passports online from home, cutting out long waits
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
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: NSO Group logo seen on a smartphone in front of a laptop showing hacking code. (Shutterstock)
February 8, 2024, 10:00 am
US to restrict visas for those abusing spyware to target journalists, activists
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
By AP and ToI Staff
Illustrative: Passengers head to the departure gates at Ben Gurion International Airport, June 6, 2022. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)
October 20, 2023, 12:33 am
Israeli entry into US Visa Waiver Program goes into effect
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
By Jacob Magid
Illustrative: People check in at a counter at Ben Gurion International Airport in November 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
October 3, 2023, 1:00 pm
Daily Briefing Oct. 3: US visa waiver ‘is gamechanger’ for bilateral ties and travel
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
By ToI Staff
US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides attends a conference at Reichman University in Herzliya, September 11, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
September 27, 2023, 7:38 pm
Ex-envoy Nides: Visa waiver success proves Israel can make concessions when it wants
Jerusalem agreed to reforms regarding Palestinian travelers that it initially thought were ‘nuts,’ former ambassador tells ToI, offering lesson as Saudi normalization moves forward
By Jacob Magid
Passengers at Ben Gurion International airport on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2022. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
September 27, 2023, 3:00 pm
US admits Israel into Visa Waiver Program, in major boost to bilateral ties
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
By Jacob Magid and Lazar Berman
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen seen during an interview at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, June 12, 2023. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
September 26, 2023, 4:53 am
FM: Israel joining US Visa Waiver Program; State Department: No decision made yet
Eli Cohen hails ostensible acceptance into program as ‘important news for all Israelis’; Washington is widely expected to announce decision later this week
By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid
An Israeli passport on January 18, 2023. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
September 23, 2023, 10:24 pm
Israel expects US announcement on entry into visa waiver program next week
Jerusalem believes Washington will declare acceptance into VWP on Thursday, allowing visa-free travel within two months
By ToI Staff
Palestinian workers are seen at the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, as they wait to enter Israel for work, on March 13, 2022. (Attia Muhammed/Flash90)
September 11, 2023, 10:20 pm
Israel eases entry for Gazan-Americans, meeting US Visa Waiver Program benchmark
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
By Jacob Magid
Passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport, June 6, 2022. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)
September 10, 2023, 3:21 am
In last-ditch plea, 15 senators tell Blinken not to okay visa-free travel for Israelis
Democrats argue in letter that Israel won’t be in compliance with requirements of VWP, since Palestinians are still being discriminated against at ports
By Jacob Magid
Palestinian-American Noor Wazwaz shares her experience trying to board an El Al flight on July 18, 2023. (Screen capture/X)
August 30, 2023, 6:30 am
US said to investigate El Al’s alleged discrimination against Palestinian-American
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
By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid
Travelers arrive in the international terminal at O'Hare Airport on March 15, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP)
August 25, 2023, 9:18 am
We’re ‘on cusp’ of entry into US Visa Waiver Program — Israeli official
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
By Jacob Magid
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara meet with US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on March 9, 2016 (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
August 10, 2023, 4:50 pm
Some Democrats ‘dumbfounded’ by Biden’s willingness to hand major gifts to Netanyahu
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
By Jacob Magid
A Palestinian police officer shuts the main gate to Beit Hanun at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip, on August 4, 2022. (MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)
August 7, 2023, 10:35 pm
Israel says it will ease travel curbs for Gazan Americans following outcry
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
By Jacob Magid
Illustrative: In this photo taken Wednesday, May 4, 2016, a worker sits at a kiosk on a quiet evening at Steeplegate Mall in Concorde, New Hampshire (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
August 6, 2023, 4:00 am
Israeli extradited, charged in US for running illegal mall kiosk network
Shai Cohen accused of arranging for Israelis to arrive in the country with tourist visas for the purpose of illicit employment in sales
By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid
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