US Visa Waiver for Israel Act Introduced

May 22, 2012 | Filed under: Israel,United States | Posted by: Tahir

Visa Waiver for Israel Act paving the pathway to Israel’s entrance into the US Visa Waiver Program has been introduced by United States Congressmen.

US Congressman Brad Sherman along with thirteen other members of Congress initiated the proposed bill so that nationals of Israel can visit United States without having to obtain visit visa prior to their entry.

United States Visa Waiver Program enables citizens of 36 countries to visit United States for tourism or business purpose for a period not exceeding 90 days with out entry visa. The program saves the citizens of the participating countries from the hassles of approvals for visit visa at US consulate or embassy in their country.

Sherman said, “Israel is our closest friend and democratic ally in the Middle East. Adding Israel to the Visa Waiver Program will boost business, tourism, and job creation here in the US and enhance cultural ties between our two nations.”

“Almost one-third of a million Israelis entered the US as temporary visitors annually in recent years,” added Sherman.

The Congressman further said, “Each had to get a US visa through a bureaucratic process that sometimes takes weeks. The number of Israeli visitors would increase substantially if Israel enters the Visa Waiver Program. That means more business, tourism, academic and cultural exchanges, and most importantly, job creation.”

The statistical data indicates that about 17 million foreign nationals were admitted into United States as temporary residents in the United State Visa Waiver program which is about 40% of the total number of foreign visitors.