Ayalon: Israelis won’t need visas for entering US within 2 years

Unlike past efforts to add Israel to the visa-exemption list that did not succeed, thanks to Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, within 2 years, there will no longer be long lines around the block at the U.S. Embassy in Israel (for those waiting to request a visa).

By Yoni Hirsch and Israel Hayom Staff

 

The United States Congress began reviewing a proposal on Tuesday to add Israel to the list of countries where citizens do not require a visa to enter the United States.

We’re coming to America. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. – Photo: Shmulik Almani

The bill was drafted by Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Ted Poe (R-Tex.) and signed by 25 others in the House of Representatives. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) was expected to propose the bill to the Senate.

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday night, Sherman and Poe said that they believed the bill could be passed in the current Congress, which began its two-year stint a few days ago.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon was also present at the press conference in Washington D.C. Ayalon said that he has been working to advance the visa issue for more than a decade.

“Within two years there won’t be any more lines at the U.S. Embassy [in Israel],” he predicted.

If the bill is approved, it would add Israel to the 37 countries in the world where citizens are allowed to enter the U.S. for a period of up to 90 days without requiring a visa.

Similar efforts have been made to add Israel to this list in the past but the bills were not approved.

View original Israel Hayom publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=7073