Israel has been formally admitted to the US’ Visa Waiver Program.  Israelis traveling to the United States as visitors, and who otherwise qualify for the program, will no longer be required to formally request B-1/B-2 visitor visas at U.S. Consular posts before traveling to the US for qualifying “visitor for business” or “visitor for pleasure” purposes.

When determining admission to this program, the US government will want to see that an applicant country has a high visa acceptance rate, and low visa overstay rate.

The Visa Waiver Program, often referred to as “ESTA” (Electronic System for Travel Authorization – actually the online system used to apply for the program rather than the program itself) is essentially an abbreviated form of the US B-1/B-2 visitor visa.  An individual’s approval under the program is valid for two years but with no limit on renewal.

Qualifying individuals  from “Visa Waiver” countries – of which there are currently 40 – can complete the online application and if approved, seek entry to the US as visitors without first applying for a B-1/B-2 visa at a US consulate.  The “Visa” requirement is therefore “Waived.”  Visa waiver can be used only for visiting – other purposes for US travel such as employment  require a visa appropriate to that purposes and the requirement of a visa stamp is not waived for any other visa type, even for nationals of Visa Waiver countries.

There are trade-offs, however: admission is for 90 days rather than the up-to-180 permitted on a B-1/B-2, and the status can’t be extended or changed to a different visa status once here as it can with a B-1/B-2.  A Visa Waiver visitor to the US waives certain rights.