On Thursday the US announced, effective immediately, Israeli citizens now qualify for the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and can travel to the United States for up to 90 days for business or tourism purposes without the need for a US visa.
The Biden Administration already announced in September that Israel would be admitted into the VWP starting November 30, 2023.
Though the US has given no official reason for moving Israeli VWP admittance up by more than a month, once can assume with reasonable certainty that it is due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has already claimed thousands of lives.
In order to enter the US under the VWP, all travelers from qualifying nations must first fill out an ESTA application at the US Customs and Border Protections website. Upon submitting the application, which costs $14 per person, the prospective traveler will be notified if they are approved.
Please see this page for additional information regarding the US Visa Waiver Program.
