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New U.S. Visa Measures Mean Headaches for Israelis

(JTA) New regulations added by the U.S. State Department to its visa program in the wake of 9/11, which apply to all Israelis and other foreign nationals who require visas to enter the U.S., have at times flummoxed and frustrated Israelis coming to America. Beginning this year, the Department of Homeland Security instituted a new computerized database, a more elaborate visa application process and, beginning Aug. 1, a face-to-face interview with an American consular officer. According to Ariella Feldman, North American service director for the Jewish Agency for Israel program which coordinates bringing Israeli staff to most North American Jewish summer camps, nearly 1,400 Israeli shlichim, or emissaries, are at 185 North American camps this summer, up from 1,250 the previous year, and about 1,100 in 2001. Visas, which last year cost $55 apiece, jumped to $120, Feldman said. Twenty-seven countries - mostly European - are exempt from the requirements and their citizens can travel to America without a visa for tourism or general business. Some believe Israelis should not be subject to the newest stringent measures.
2003-07-11 00:00:00
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