An estimated 2,000 Israelis are crowding the US Embassy in Tel Aviv this morning, in an effort to receive visas before the rules are tightened considerably. Today is the last day that most foreign citizens need not undergo a personal interview and then wait several weeks before receiving a visa to visit the U.S. Efforts by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convince US authorities to maintain flexible visa rules for Israelis have so far been unsuccessful.
Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) called on the US not to “include Israel in the same list as the Axis of Evil” regarding the difficult visa requirements. The MK has invited US Ambassador Dan Kurtzer to a special meeting of Knesset Members to discuss the issue.
Until now, Israelis wishing to visit the United States could obtain a visa in a two-day process by applying directly to the U.S. Embassy, at a cost of 325 shekels. The average amount of Israelis whose visa requests were rejected has been approximately 5%. Under the new regulations, would-be visitors will have to apply via their travel agents, wait for a personal interview, and then wait for a decision by U.S. authorities - a process that could take up to two months. It is assumed that the number of Israelis who were expected to visit the U.S. this summer will drop from 100,000 to approximately 85,000 as a result of the new regulations.
Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) called on the US not to “include Israel in the same list as the Axis of Evil” regarding the difficult visa requirements. The MK has invited US Ambassador Dan Kurtzer to a special meeting of Knesset Members to discuss the issue.
Until now, Israelis wishing to visit the United States could obtain a visa in a two-day process by applying directly to the U.S. Embassy, at a cost of 325 shekels. The average amount of Israelis whose visa requests were rejected has been approximately 5%. Under the new regulations, would-be visitors will have to apply via their travel agents, wait for a personal interview, and then wait for a decision by U.S. authorities - a process that could take up to two months. It is assumed that the number of Israelis who were expected to visit the U.S. this summer will drop from 100,000 to approximately 85,000 as a result of the new regulations.