Travel Authorizations

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As of January, 1, 2025, Israel will require travelers to provide either a valid visa or “Marom ETA-IL” (Electronic Travel Authorization) approval to enter the country. ETA-IL applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to Israel. However, the Israeli government recommends that travelers submit their applications at least 72 hours prior to booking flights, hotels, and/or similar expenses related to their travel.

Travelers applying for the ET-IL authorization will receive a reply within 24-72 hours, and if their application is approved, will be allowed to enter Israel for business visits and tourism for up to ninety (90) days at a time. The ETA-IL will remain valid for multiple entries over a two-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. This announcement was previously made in 2024, but was postponed to give travelers the proper time to prepare for this new requirement. Israel’s introduction of the ETA-IL system comes as the European Union seeks to implement its own electronic travel authorization scheme for visa exempt nationals, which is expected to launch in 2025.Continue Reading Israel Launches Electronic Travel Authorization System – Marom ETA-IL

Qatar

The Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Qatari citizens and nationals will be able to apply for travel to the United States as temporary visitors under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Effective December 1, 2024, Qataris can travel to the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days without needing a visa. Instead, they will only need to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online. Qatar is the first Gulf country to be designated for the VWP.

While U.S. citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to Qatar for up to 30 days, beginning October 1, 2024, they are eligible to stay in Qatar for up to 90 days (with a valid passport).Continue Reading Qatar Added to U.S. Visa Waiver Program

Effective August 1, 2024, Israel will require travelers from visa exempt countries to obtain an electronic travel authorization before departing for the country. Travelers applying for the authorization—known as ETA-IL—will receive a reply within 24-72 hours, and if their application is approved, will be allowed to enter Israel for business visits and tourism for up to ninety days at a time. The ETA-IL will remain valid for multiple entries over a two-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. The ETA-IL system opened as a voluntary pilot program for U.S. and German passport holders on June 1 and will open to all other visa exempt nationals on July 1. Israel’s introduction of the ETA-IL system comes as the European Union seeks to implement its own electronic travel authorization scheme for visa exempt nationals, which is expected to launch in 2025.Continue Reading Israel Introduces Electronic Travel Authorization Requirement

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The European Commission has announced the creation of an automated electronic visa waiver program, the European Travel Information Authorization System (ETIAS), to be launched in May 2023. The new visa waiver program is intended to facilitate travel across borders while better identifying security risks for the bloc. ETIAS is one of several recent updates to the European Union’s migration scheme, including the digitalization of Schengen visas.Continue Reading EU Announces Long-Awaited Electronic Visa Waiver Program