WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Rick Scott and Jacky Rosen applauded the announcement of Israel’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program following their bipartisan push. The Visa Waiver Program allows individuals from participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Today’s announcement of Israel’s admittance into the Visa Waiver Program is great news and the product of months of strong, bipartisan support for Israel in Congress. I have been proud to work alongside Senator Jacky Rosen to urge the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to take this action, which further strengthens the bond between the United States and our great ally, Israel, through increased tourism and business travel. Every step toward increased partnership between the American and Israeli people only reinforces the special relationship between our nations. I look forward to seeing the positive cultural and economic outcomes this development will bring.”
Senator Jacky Rosen said, “Israel is one of America’s closest allies and an important trading partner. By adding Israel to the Visa Waiver Program, we’ll strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and help increase tourism and business travel to the United States. I was proud to lead the bipartisan push to get this done, and I’ll continue working across the aisle to strengthen ties between our two nations.”
Since 2021, Senators Scott and Rosen have been working to include Israel in the Visa Waiver Program, having sent multiple letters calling on the Biden Administration to admit the country into the program, including most recently in a June 2023 letter signed by a bipartisan group of 65 Senators.
As Florida’s governor and in the U.S. Senate, Senator Scott has visited Israel five times and been a vocal proponent of Israeli-American relations. During his latest visit to Israel earlier this year, Senator Scott met with high-ranking government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. military officials to discuss the economic and national security partnership between the United States and Israel. Read more about Senator Scott’s visit to Israel HERE.