Sudden ESTA Cancellations Affect Israeli Travelers to the United States

Many Israeli travelers have reported unexpected cancellations of their ESTA approvals, which allow entry to the United States without a visa. These cancellations occurred even after prior approval, with no official explanation provided so far. One affected traveler, Ilanit from Ashkelon, who planned to fly to the US with her two daughters in about a week, received confirmation of her ESTA approval just two days ago but was informed this morning that her approval was revoked, barring their entry. She contacted the US embassy and learned that other Israelis received similar notices, but the reasons remain unclear, causing anxiety among those with imminent flights.

The tourism sector has also noted this unusual nationwide trend. Dvir Abu, head of visas and permits at Amsalem Tourism and Leisure, stated that they have observed sudden ESTA cancellations, including cases where passengers were already boarding flights. The company is proactively checking the status of upcoming travelers’ electronic visas to the US and awaiting official updates. It remains uncertain whether this is a global technical issue or another type of event. Travelers are advised to verify their ESTA status promptly on the official US Customs and Border Protection website and not rely solely on previous approvals.

Since October 2023, Israeli citizens holding biometric passports valid for ten years have been eligible for the US visa waiver program, allowing them to apply online for an ESTA instead of undergoing the traditional visa process. The ESTA system performs an automated security screening to ensure travelers do not pose a security or immigration risk to the US. The application process takes about 20 minutes and requires personal details, travel information, and security-related questions to be answered online through the official US government portal.