In a month, we will know whether Israeli citizens will be eligible for a visa exemption when they enter the United States. The chances of receiving the long-awaited exemption are high, since the State of Israel meets all the requirements of the Americans, which led everyone involved in the issue to be very optimistic about receiving the approval.
However, it is very possible that soon we will need permission to enter EU countries. What does this mean? The entry permit, called ETIAS, was supposed to go into effect a few years ago. The decision was postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year it was reported that two dates would take effect for those countries, but both dates in question were postponed due to bureaucratic issues.
Now, the entry permit into the countries is expected to enter the countries next year. According to estimates, the use of the use is supposed to begin this May, so beyond purchasing a plane ticket – we will have to go through another process. It is important to emphasize that this is an easy, convenient and much faster process than the visa we knew to the US. The entry permit will cost about NIS 35 per person, and it will be done online only.
Planes at British Heathrow // Photo: Reuters
To enter EU countries, we will need to issue one permit every three years, or until the passport expires – whichever comes first. The process is supposed to be fast, and its purpose is to prevent the entry of elements that pose a risk to EU countries.
The process was supposed to begin this November, but the lack of preparedness of many countries at the borders led to the postponement of the implementation of the decision. According to reports, all the countries involved are supposed to be ready for implementation of the decision as early as next year, so that Israelis will also have to issue a permit to enter Europe.
Britain, which is not one of the EU countries, is also supposed to launch a similar system, so that in order to enter the kingdom, a special permit will have to be issued in advance. In this case, the price should be low and the process itself should be quick. However, there are quite a few criticisms of the European Union and the British, claiming that this is an economic move that will entail additional expenditure from tourists, and very significant income to those countries that in order to enter them we will have to issue permits.
Soon will we need the European equivalent? Visa to the United States (archive), photo: Ami Shumen
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