The Israeli authorities have said that the country plans on allowing US law enforcement authorities to have access to fingerprint data from the database of the Israel police.
According to the spokesperson of the supreme state body, Knesset, the bill was approved for its second and third readings, and it is expected to be fully approved soon.
The spokesperson stressed that by approving such a bill, the country aims to help accelerate the visa exemption process, so Israeli citizens get to travel to the US without having to obtain a visa beforehand, VisaGuide.World reports.
The Jerusalem Post explains that as soon as the bill gets approved, the police of Israel will give permission to entities outside the country that are recognized as well as approved by the Department of Homeland Security and FBI to enter fingerprint data into a computer system that is accessible by the authorities of the two countries.
By having such data available, the authorities of both countries will be able to complete background checks on specific individuals. They will also be able to use the data for detecting, investigating, as well as preventing serious crimes.
In addition to the above-mentioned, by having access to such data, the authorities will also be able to detect persons attempting to enter the US illegally and prevent such activities.
Back in January, when Israel made the first move towards this matter, the US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, said that Israel had been consistently working towards the visa waiver program and the same noted that the refusal rates for Israelis had already dropped below three percent.
Nonetheless, he highlighted that Israel needs to do more work to promote the visa exemption and said that the Knesset needs to pass certain laws “so that eligibility is approved”.
At the same time, Nides called for equal treatment and freedom of travel for all citizens of the US, regardless of their national origin, ethnicity, or religion.
“Any person who has US citizenship and holds an American passport will be able to fly to Israel on short-term visits of less than 90 days, including travel to and out of the West Bank through Ben-Gurion Airport,” Nides said.
Citizens of Israel applying for a US Visa must submit certain documents depending on the type of visa.
Those planning to enter the US for tourism purposes must apply for the US Tourist Visa – B2 and must submit Form DS-160, their valid passport, a photo, the receipt of paid visa fees, a letter stating the purposes of the trip, proof of financial means, and a criminal record, among many other documents.
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