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Visa Waiver Program in Israel - We Are Almost There
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Israel has taken a significant step towards joining the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by enacting the final law required for its implementation. The law creates a legal framework for the collection and evaluation of data of passengers entering or exiting Israel through the sharing of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data between states and airlines. This move paves the way for Israeli nationals to travel to the US without a visa.
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The US Embassy in Israel had announced in January that Israel had met the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Refusal Rate Requirement, which is one of the prerequisites for joining the VWP. Israel now has to finalize the necessary administrative steps, including operating a special data center and hotline for border control verifications when needed, for Israelis entering the US and vice versa. Additionally, the issue of entry reciprocity or US-Palestinian regulation also needs to be resolved.
KTA specialists expect that the VWP will come into effect for Israeli nationals from September 2023. This is great news for Israeli business and leisure travelers, who will no longer have to apply for a US visa, saving time and money. It will also boost tourism and business ties between the two countries. KTA will continue to monitor the progress and provide updates on the VWP implementation.
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2023 Israeli Passover and Independence Day Closures
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Israeli government offices will be closed during the following dates: - Passover: 5 – 13 April 2023
- Independence day: 25-26 April 2023
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During this time, no work permits or visa applications will be adjudicated. Israeli consular posts abroad will also suspend their operations or conduct limited processing. Visa applicants may experience processing and issuance delays following the closures.
Employers should take the processing and issuance delays into consideration when setting start dates. Visa applicants should check with their local consulate for specific information on holiday operations.
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Exchange of Traveler Information, Including Criminal Convictions, between the US and Israel
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The enactment of new laws to be included in the US Visa Waiver Program has brought attention to the sharing of information between countries regarding traveling passengers (both Israeli traveling to the US and Us nationals travelling to Israel)
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The law was enacted to establish a legal framework for receiving personal information from airlines about passengers on flights entering, exiting or passing through Israel. The data includes basic details verified by the travel documents of an airline passenger, such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport details, and country of origin, mobile phone numbers, email addresses, means of payment, travel dates, routes, baggage details, and travel history.
Furthermore, enforcement units will exchange information regarding previous convictions for serious offenses, such as security offenses, murder, espionage, and pedophilia, for both US and Israeli nationals traveling between countries.
Privacy experts are criticizing the newly enacted law in Israel, stating that it violates the privacy boundaries of all Israeli citizens without any public discussion.
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Best Regards, Amit Acco, Senior Partner - Israeli Law Kan-Tor & Acco
Global Website
Disclaimer: The content herein is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice. Readers are advised not act upon the contained information without professional advice. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without express permission. © Kan-Tor & Acco law firm |
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