The State of Qatar has joined the United States Visa Waiver Program, becoming the first country in the region to join this program, as part of the ongoing development based on strategic partnerships between Doha and Washington, according to the Qatar News Agency.
The Visa Waiver Program allows Qatari citizens to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining an entry visa, and in return, US citizens will enjoy the same privileges when traveling to the State of Qatar.
Strategic Relationships
The agency quoted the Qatari Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as saying that “the inclusion of the State of Qatar in the US Visa Waiver Program reflects the level of the strategic relationship between the State of Qatar and the United States of America, and is a culmination of the bilateral relations that link the two friendly countries in various fields, in addition to the fact that the State of Qatar is at the forefront of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa in the field of security and safety according to international indicators, in addition to its commitment to international standards in the security fields.”
“The Visa Waiver Program is one of our most successful security initiatives,” said US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “Qatar’s participation in the program increases information sharing on one of the world’s busiest travel and transit hubs, enhancing US security.”
Application date
A statement from the US Department of Homeland Security indicated that, effective December 1, 2024, the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online and mobile application will be updated to allow citizens of Qatar to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a US visa.
According to the statement, these permits are generally valid for two years, and travelers holding valid B-1/B-2 visas can continue to use their visas to travel to the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will remain an option for Qatari citizens.
US citizens already have visa-free travel to Qatar, and starting October 1 they will be eligible to stay in Qatar for up to 90 days instead of the previous 30 days, if they have a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of arrival and a confirmed hotel reservation upon arrival.
It is noteworthy that the US Visa Waiver Program is based on integrated partnerships between the United States and the countries included in the program, according to requirements and standards related to law enforcement, border control, and the issuance of secure electronic travel documents.
Source : The Island + Qatar News Agency (QNA)
