On the way to visa waiver to the United States:
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Myorex have set February 2023 as the target date for the United States to exempt Israelis entering it from the need to obtain an entry visa.
This was agreed at a meeting the two held today (Thursday) in Washington.
Shaked told Israel Today after the meeting that it was very positive and that the US administration at all levels is committed to the goal of introducing Israel to the visa exemption program.
"This is a one-time opportunity that will not come back so the two countries need to work fast. I am full of hope and motivation to bring to an end the process discussed between the countries for many years. It will take at least a year but I am optimistic," the minister said.
Minister Shaked in Washington: "The US administration is committed to a visa waiver procedure for Israelis"
The main obstacle facing the parties is the reduction of the percentage of refusals to visa applications submitted by Israelis.
For many years now, the US Embassy has rejected about 5% of all visa applications, while according to American immigration rules, only a country that falls below 3% is eligible for an exemption.
In a discussion on Tuesday, the Israeli side explained that young people in Israel apply for a higher percentage of entry to the United States than other countries, because they go on a post-military trip - a phenomenon that does not exist in other countries. Below the three percent threshold.
Minister Shaked and Minister of York // Photo: Shmulik Almani,
Minister Shaked and representatives of the inter-ministerial team dealing with the issue, presented data according to which the number of attempts by young Israelis to stay in the United States beyond the permitted time is actually lower than that of their colleagues in the world.
According to the agreement between the parties, Mobile will work to lower the percentage of refusal when he takes office in a few weeks.
In September 2022, there will be an examination of the refusal percentages for 12 months back.
Assuming that the refusal rate falls below 3 and the parties resolve additional issues related to the issue, it will be possible to announce the exemption in February 2023.
Shaked's entourage clarified that the administration does not expect compensation for the inclusion of Israel in the list and does not link it at all with the issue of the consulate for Palestinian affairs in Jerusalem.
