Sherman, Author of Original Israel Visa Waiver Legislation, Applauds President Biden’s Historic Announcement of Israel’s Entry into the Visa Waiver Program

Washington DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, applauds President Joe Biden's breakthrough announcement that Israel would enter the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The announcement comes 11 years after Congressman Sherman introduced the original bill to allow Israel's entrance into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Sherman's Visa Waiver for Israel Act was originally introduced in May of 2012. For years, Sherman has worked publicly and behind the scenes to secure Israel's entry into the Visa Waiver Program.

"The U.S.-Israel friendship is ironclad - Israel is our closest friend and democratic ally in the Middle East and it's time that our Visa Waiver Program reflect that. Adding Israel to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program is an important step in strengthening the people-to-people ties that underpin the unshakeable U.S.-Israel friendship. I am proud to represent a vibrant Israeli-American community in Los Angeles and I know that this development is going to make it easier for many of my constituents to see their families. I have been advocating for Israel to join the Visa Waiver Program for over a decade, and I applaud President Biden for getting this important victory over the finish line," Sherman said.

The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals from certain countries to enter the U.S. as temporary visitors for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. There are 40 countries currently in the Visa Waiver Program, including western and central European countries, as well as Andorra, Australia, Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and New Zealand. Israel has been in discussions with the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to join the Visa Waiver Program since 2005.

Congressman Sherman's Visa Waiver for Israel Act of 2012 had 34 bipartisan cosponsors (18 Republicans and 16 Democrats).

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