The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on October 19, 2023, that Israel has been included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This means eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can travel to the U.S. for short-term stays without a visa.

Requirements for the ESTA application:

- Eligible travellers: Israeli citizens with a biometric passport.
- Length of stay: Up to 90 days for tourism or business travel.
- ESTA application: Must be submitted via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
- Children: Children also require their own ESTA.

Special conditions:
- Valid B-1/B-2 visas can still be used for business and tourist travel.
- Ineligible travellers: Persons with non-biometric, temporary, or emergency travel documents and travellers from countries not participating in the VWP.

Process and monitoring:
- Security checks: The ESTA application is subject to extensive security checks. Information on known or suspected law violations is forwarded to the relevant authorities.
- Compliance with the conditions: Travelers who stay longer than 90 days or do not comply with the program's conditions will be barred from future travel under the VWP.

You can visit the DHS website for further information.

Statistics:
On average, approximately 250,000 Israeli citizens travel to the USA each year.