All articles tagged with #visa waiver program
The US Travel Association warns that a proposed policy requiring tourists from 42 countries to submit social media handles could deter visitors and harm the US tourism industry, raising concerns about a 'chilling effect' on travel.
International heist rings, primarily from South America, are targeting luxurious homes in the US, using ghillie suits and exploiting the visa waiver program to enter the country and commit residential burglaries. Police and prosecutors in various high-end communities are struggling to keep up with these burglary tourists, who loot expensive items and send the proceeds back to their home countries. The thieves use tactics like wearing ghillie suits to remain unseen and employing WiFi jammers to disable alarm systems, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement.
Thieves stole $8 million worth of jewelry from an Orange County couple's home, part of a larger issue involving "burglary tourists" entering the US from countries with visa waivers. These sophisticated burglary rings target luxury homes, often from South America, and sell stolen goods quickly before sending the money back to their home countries. The problem extends beyond California, with arrests in various states linked to Chilean nationals on visa waivers. Prosecutors and affected families are calling for more transparency and action from the US government and the Chilean authorities to address this national issue.
Israelis can now travel to the US for up to 90 days on business or tourism without a visa, as Israel officially became part of the US Visa Waiver Program. The program requires Israeli citizens and nationals to have a biometrically enabled passport book and apply through the US Customs and Border Protection's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Approval may take up to 72 hours, and the application is currently only available in English, with other languages expected to be added on November 1.
The United States has announced that it will admit Israel into the Visa Waiver Program, allowing visa-free entry for Israeli citizens starting from November 30. This move comes amidst strained relations between the US and Israel over issues such as Israel's judiciary overhaul plan and policies towards Palestinians. While some Palestinians have protested against Israel's inclusion in the program, the US has stated that Palestinian-Americans living in the West Bank or the US will now be able to enter Israel visa-free. However, concerns have been raised about Israel's treatment of Arab Americans and the need for equal treatment of all American travelers.
The Biden administration has announced that Israeli citizens will be allowed to enter the United States without a visa, a move aimed at improving relations between the two countries. In return, Israel must take reciprocal actions towards American citizens, including Palestinian Americans who often face difficulties in traveling to Palestinian territories. The decision comes after a pilot effort since July, during which Israel allowed over 100,000 U.S. citizens, including tens of thousands of Palestinian Americans, to enter without a visa. The program aims to enhance freedom of movement for U.S. citizens, including those living in or traveling to the Palestinian Territories.
Israel has been admitted into the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing Israelis to travel to the US for tourism or business trips of up to 90 days without a visa. The move solidifies a major boost to bilateral ties between the two countries and comes after years of efforts from both governments. Israel met the key requirement of a visa application refusal rate below three percent, and the US expects to have its electronic systems prepared for Israel's admittance into the VWP by November 30. However, the US reserves the right to suspend or terminate Israel's membership in the program if it fails to comply with the VWP requirements.
Israel's Foreign Ministry expects the United States to announce its admission to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) this week, allowing Israeli citizens visa-free entry to America starting in November. Compliance with U.S. conditions must be demonstrated by September 30. The move would be a diplomatic win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which has faced strained relations with Washington over judiciary reforms and policies towards Palestinians. However, some Palestinians have protested, citing decades of discriminatory treatment of Arab Americans and harassment at Israeli borders. The U.S. State Department has not made a final decision on Israel's candidacy yet.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announced that the United States will allow Israeli citizens to travel visa-free to the country, as Israel is set to join the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in November. However, this decision has faced criticism from Arab-American civil rights advocates due to concerns about Israel's treatment of Palestinian- and Arab-American travelers. The VWP requires reciprocity, meaning countries in the program must allow visa-free travel for American citizens. Critics doubt whether Israel will uphold its commitments, citing instances where US citizens of Palestinian and Arab descent have been denied entry by Israeli authorities. The decision, if confirmed, has been condemned as endorsing discrimination and apartheid by rights advocates.
The Biden administration is expected to announce Israel's admission into the Visa Waiver Program, allowing Israeli citizens to travel to the United States without a U.S. visa. Despite ongoing concerns about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinian Americans, the move is seen as a major accomplishment for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has met two of the three critical criteria for admission, but struggled with the requirement for reciprocity, which means treating all U.S. citizens equally when traveling to or through Israel. Israel has made adjustments to its entry requirements for Palestinian Americans, but concerns remain. Palestinian American activists criticize the decision, arguing that it overlooks continued discrimination against American citizens and rewards Netanyahu's far-right government.
The Biden administration is expected to announce Israel's admission into the Visa Waiver Program, allowing Israeli citizens to travel to the United States without a U.S. visa. Despite ongoing concerns about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinian Americans, the move is seen as a major accomplishment for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has met two of the three critical criteria for admission, but struggled with the requirement for reciprocity, which means treating all U.S. citizens equally when traveling to or through Israel. Israel has made adjustments to its entry requirements for Palestinian Americans, but concerns remain. Palestinian American activists criticize the decision, arguing that it overlooks continued discrimination against American citizens and rewards Netanyahu's far-right government.
Israel expects an announcement next week that it has qualified for the US Visa Waiver Program, allowing visa-free travel to the United States within two months. The move comes after Israel took steps to improve travel guidelines for US citizens from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Israel would become the 41st country to join the program, with the majority of participants being European countries.
Israel has included Palestinian Americans from the Gaza Strip in a pilot program that allows them to enter Israel on tourist visas, as part of its efforts to comply with the conditions for joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The deadline for Israel to demonstrate compliance is September 30, and if successful, it expects to be incorporated into the program by November. The move comes after protests and calls for a change in policy, as Palestinian Americans from Gaza were initially excluded from the pilot. However, the new policy still restricts visits to Gaza for Palestinian Americans from abroad, allowing only once-yearly visits of up to 90 days for those with first-degree relatives there.
American families are leaving the United States and starting new lives in Europe due to various reasons, including dissatisfaction with the US political climate. Families have purchased homes in Italian towns, opened restaurants in Umbria, and renovated abandoned farmhouses in Portugal. In other travel news, there are discounts and adventures available for younger travelers, a new visa waiver program will be implemented for travel to Europe, and Bhutan is halving its tourist fees to boost its economy. Additionally, unique culinary experiences in Vietnam and Tokyo are highlighted, along with the process of making "silk stocking" milk tea in Hong Kong.
The United States is tightening travel restrictions for Hungarians due to concerns over passport fraud. Hungarians will now only be allowed to enter the U.S. once a year through the visa-waiver program, while citizens of other countries in the program can make multiple visits over a two-year period. The move comes amid an increasingly strained relationship between Hungary and the U.S., as well as concerns about Russian espionage. The abuse of Hungarian passports has been a long-standing concern, with hundreds of non-Hungarians fraudulently obtaining passports and assuming fake identities. The U.S. has criticized Hungary for its ties with Russia and its refusal to approve NATO membership for Sweden.