Next week, the figure should be published, according to which Israelis may meet the threshold conditions for visa exemption to the US. The requirement in question is that less than 3% of all Israeli visa applicants will be refused. Until now, for decades, the number has been more than 3%, which which placed Israel outside the visa exemption program, but now this will likely change.
Just before the official figures arrived, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked told "Israel Today": "I estimate that Israel will meet the threshold requirements for visa exemption."
The cumbersome forms
The reason why more than 3% of all Israelis received a visa exemption is mainly because Israelis did not know how to fill out the forms correctly, since the process of filling out the forms for the US visa application can be long and tedious, but we may soon no longer have to do that.
US Embassy, photo: Yehoshua Yosef
As part of the visa exemption, Palestinians who also hold American citizenship will be able to fly through Ben Gurion Airport.
This is one of the demands that were answered positively as part of the process that was carried out under the leadership of the Minister of the Interior Ayelet Shaked.
In the last year, a projector was also appointed for this topic and guides were published for the Israeli audience that helped in correctly filling out the visa forms for the USA, which according to estimates helped to lower the refusal rate below the 3% threshold.
shorten the procedure
At this stage, Israel is waiting for the official figure that will announce that there are indeed less than 3% of all visa applicants whose application was refused.
After that, a law will have to be passed in the Knesset, one that will allow the transfer of certain information between the Israelis and the Americans and back and will be shared with the airlines.
This demand by the Americans aims to prevent the entry of those with a criminal record into the US. After the law is approved, there will be a process of implementing systems between Israel, the US and the airlines.
The duration of this process is 9-12 months, but those close to the issue told "Israel Today" that it can be completed within six months.
"We worked hard to reach the goal."
Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorx and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, photo: Shmulik Almani
This means that as early as next week, after we know our situation regarding the refusal of visa applications, it will be possible to pass the law in second and third readings.
After the approval of the law, it will be possible to start the process of implementing the systems.
The USA is one of the most sought-after destinations among Israeli tourists. Four airlines operate direct flights between Israel and the USA: El Al, United, Delta and American Airlines.
These days there are about 16 departures a day on the direct flights between Israel and the USA. Many Israelis also arrive in the country via connection flights. This is the movement of tens of thousands of passengers on the routes between Israel and the USA every week.
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