Israel to United States visa requirements

Israeli ordinary passport holders do not need a B visitor visa for eligible short U.S. tourism, business, or transit trips. Israel is in the Visa Waiver Program, so travelers use ESTA; each visit is limited to 90 days and an approved FY 2026 ESTA costs USD 40.27. Israeli citizens and nationals holding an eligible Israeli ordinary passport can travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for tourism, permitted business visitor activities, or transit for up to 90 days without first obtaining a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. They must obtain an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before travel. ESTA is generally valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple VWP trips during that validity period. Israeli VWP travelers must hold a full-validity, biometrically enabled passport book; U.S. Embassy Jerusalem guidance requires a 10-year Israeli biometric passport for adults 18 and over, while under-18 travelers may use a 5-year biometric passport. Non-biometric, temporary, or emergency Israeli travel documents are not VWP-eligible and require a visa instead. The FY 2026 ESTA fee is USD 40.27 if approved: USD 10.27 is charged even if denied, and an additional USD 30 is charged only if approved. ESTA does not allow employment, credit-bearing study, permanent residence, extension of the VWP stay, or change of status in the United States. Travelers who need more than 90 days, have an ESTA denial, are otherwise VWP-ineligible, or prefer a visa can apply for the appropriate nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.