While reviewing legislative border security measures last week, Congress approved a bill that actually lowers the bar in the U.S. Visa Waiver program.
Bill Could Mean Israelis don’t need Visas to Visit U.S.
Israel is on the list of nations whose citizens may be able to visit the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa in advance.
While reviewing legislative border security measures last week, Congress approved a bill that actually lowers the bar in the U.S. Visa Waiver program.
Inclusion in the program is based on the proportion of non-immigration visa applications from a given country’s citizens that U.S. immigration rejects. The main thrust of the bill is to lower that bar.
To qualify under existing American legislation, the rejection rate for visa applications originating from a given country must be 3 percent or less.
To illustrate the point, if American consulate officials reject 3 percent or less of the visa requests by Israeli citizens, then Israel qualifies for Visa Waiver program and its citizens may enter the United States without visas, so long as they leave within 90 days.
Twelve countries make the grade
The bill would raise the tolerance more than threefold, to 10 percent.
At present, 27 countries qualify for inclusion in the Visa Waiver program. These are mostly Western European countries, and Japan and Australia.
Nothing is automatic, though. To qualify, a country actually has to ask for the right to join the Visa Waiver program.
Under the new rules, 12 countries qualify to apply, including Israel. Others include Argentina, South Korea, Taiwan and Estonia.
But the U.S. Homeland Security officials have the last word, largely based on the cooperation of the other country’s law enforcement forces. Theoretically, Israel could apply for inclusion – and be rejected.
Good news?
Israeli Arabs… nuff said.
miki
warning!! wild tishrei ahead!!
Americana
the whole of Israel will “vacation” and never leave….then the law will go back to the old way
chaim
oy abruch we need to stop ths immediately,
in fact this law was proposed by tow populist politicians, let them know we are not (least said) very happy with this.
point: we VOTE & not the israeli Tourists or Guest
this s outrages.
mmmmmm
I don’t think there is any practical difference for anyone without a criminal record. Both Visa and Visa Waiver require you to be on the governments records as a visitor, and both would be the same in terms of overstaying their welcome.
ziad
just what CH needs, more israelis!
Meshulam Tzvi
boy it sounds racist here….