Recently, Israel has been in the news for its impending inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which will allow Israeli citizens to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit without obtaining a visa. This development signifies a closer diplomatic relationship between the two countries and is expected to facilitate easier travel for Israeli nationals.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a U.S. government initiative that permits citizens of specific countries to enter the United States for short stays without the need for a visa. Travelers must meet certain requirements, such as holding a machine-readable passport and obtaining authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a flight to the U.S. The program aims to promote tourism and business relations while maintaining national security standards. Israel's inclusion in the VWP reflects the strong ties between the U.S. and Israel and is expected to boost tourism and business exchanges between the two nations.