Flying to the USA? How do you start the visa process and what should be prepared in advance?

Until a few years ago, to fly to the US you also had to take into account an appointment for an interview at the embassy, ​​which sometimes took months of waiting and a lot of stress. Since then the situation has changed and today most Israelis can be satisfied with an online approval called THIS valid for two years and allows entry to the USA for up to 90 days.

Although this is a significant relief, the approval is not for everyone, and is not valid for any purpose of travel; For a business or study trip, you will probably still need a B1/B2 visa. If you are planning a trip to the United States and are not sure what exactly is required of you, this guide was written for you.

*It is important to remember that the procedures may change, so before any action you should check the latest instructions on the official websites of the US government and the embassy in Israel.

Step 1: Define the purpose of the trip – vacation, visiting relatives, business or study trip

Before filling out any form you must understand exactly for what purpose you are flying to the USA. A family vacation, visiting relatives, a short business meeting or a professional conference can usually fit into a short tourism/business route. On the other hand, long-term work in the US, academic studies, immigration or a long stay usually require a completely different route. Therefore, you should not choose a route only according to what seems faster, but according to the real purpose of the trip.

Step 2: Checking if you are entitled toTHIS

If you are Israeli citizens with a valid biometric passport (with a digital chip), are planning a short trip of up to 90 days, and the purpose of the trip is compatible with the visa exemption program, ESTA may be the relevant route for you. The application is submitted online on the official website of the US government (USAGov). It is recommended to do this before purchasing the plane tickets. In many cases, a quick response is received that takes about 72 hours from the moment the application is submitted. Currently, the cost of the application is $40.27 per person, but it is important to check the current amount on the official website before submitting.

Step 3: If THIS Not relevant, go to the visa route B1/B2

Those who do not meet the ESTA conditions, whether due to a previous refusal of entry, planning a stay longer than 90 days or the purpose of traveling for work or studies, will have to apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa. The process usually includes filling out the DS-160 form, which you will also need to print and bring to the interview, paying a fee (currently $185 per person, before possible ancillary costs such as photographs, translations or travel to the interview), scheduling an interview and preparing supporting documents.

Step 4: Prepare the documents in advance

Even if you are on the ESTA track and if you are on the visa track, advance preparation saves a lot of stress. You should make sure that your passport is valid, that the name on the forms exactly matches the name on the passport, that you have an active email address, travel and stay details and a suitable means of payment. When applying for a visa, it is recommended to also prepare documents that explain the purpose of the trip, the ability to finance it and the intention to return to Israel at the end, in accordance with the official instructions.

For ESTA it is important to prepare a valid biometric passport, email address, residential address, phone number, emergency contact, payment method and photo as required by the system. On the official ESTA website it is indicated that additional details may also be required if the official authorities require it.

For a B1/B2 visa, you should prepare a valid passport, a DS-160 form confirmation, a photo according to the visa requirements, a fee payment confirmation, a summons confirmation for an interview, travel details if they already exist, and supporting documents such as a work permit, payslips, study confirmation, business details, an invitation to a conference, an itinerary or any other relevant document that explains the purpose of the trip and the connection to Israel. It is important to know that a letter of invitation or commitment from a person from the USA does not replace the need to show personal eligibility for a visa.

One of the common mistakes is to choose the wrong route: for example submitting an ESTA when the purpose of the trip is not suitable for the exemption program, or assuming that ESTA is suitable for any short trip.

Another mistake is to fill in details that do not match the passport, such as name, passport number or date of birth. In the DS-160 form, it is especially important to answer completely and accurately, because missing or incorrect information may lead to the need to correct the application and even postpone the date of the interview.

Another mistake to avoid is waiting until the last minute. Even if an ESTA application can be received quickly, there is no certainty of this, and in the case of a visa, the waiting times vary according to loads and availability of appointments. In addition, it is not recommended to rely on unofficial websites that offer to submit the application at higher costs without understanding what exactly they provide.

Another mistake that is recommended to avoid is submitting through unauthorized third-party websites. Many websites imitate the official ESTA interface and charge inflated fees. Submit only through the official US website.

It is worth paying attention to another matter, which is the non-declaration of previous visits to the countries on the reservation list. Visiting countries such as Iran, Iraq and Syria since 2011 must be declared. Hiding this information may be much more problematic than the visit itself, so if you have visited there it is better to declare it beforehand in the process.

Not always. Israel joined the visa exemption program, so Israelis who meet the conditions can in many cases submit an ESTA application instead of a visa. However, not every Israeli is eligible for ESTA And not every trip is suitable for this route. Those who do not meet the conditions, those who refuse toTHIS Or those who plan a trip that does not fit into the program, will often have to check the possibility of a visa B1/B2 or other visa according to the purpose of travel.

THIS It is an electronic entry visa under the Visa Waiver Program, and is intended for travelers eligible for short trips of up to 90 days for purposes such as tourism or business (not actual work). visa B1/B2 is a visitor visa that is issued in the passport after an application process, and sometimes an interview at the embassy. ESTA is not a visa, and ESTA approval Does not guarantee entry into the US. The final decision is always made at the point of entry by the border authorities.

THIS The answer may be received quickly, but the official recommendation is to submit the request at least 72 hours before the trip. with a visa B1/B2 The time depends on the availability of queues, loads, the location of the submission, the need for additional tests and personal circumstances. That’s why you should start early and not wait for the travel time.

THIS It is recommended to apply before committing to inflexible bookings, and at least 72 hours before travel. for a visa B1/B2 should start as early as possible, especially during busy periods or when an interview is necessary. Waiting times for interviews vary by location and season, so don’t rely on a fixed treatment time.

It is possible, but it is not always recommended. Since neither ESTA nor visa guarantee entry to the US, and since there may be a rejection or delay, it is best to avoid non-cancelable reservations before proper authorization is in place. In the case of ESTA, the customs and border authorities also recommend checking the approval status before making travel orders or setting off.

yes. Each passenger, including infants and children, is required to have their own ESTA approval, on their personal passport.

ESTA rejection is not the end of the road. You can contact the American embassy and apply for a B1/B2 visa. However, ESTA rejection will be noted in your file and you will have to explain the circumstances in the interview. It is important not to try to resubmit ESTA with different details.

*The information in the article is intended to provide general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for checking with the official authorities. Entry procedures, fees, treatment times and eligibility conditions may change from time to time, so before submitting an application toTHIS or for a visa to the USA, it is recommended to check the latest information on the websites of the US government and the website of the relevant embassy.