Qatar is about to join the US Visa Waiver Program on 1 December 2024. This means that Qatari nationals will be able to travel to the USA visa-free by the end of the year. Instead of a visa, they have to hold a valid ESTA, however.
Visa Waiver Program: 42 participants
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program of the US authorities, allowing citizens of certain countries to travel to the USA visa-free. Instead of a visa, they will only have to apply for an ESTA, which is a digital travel authorisation for the USA. Applying for an ESTA is far cheaper than applying for a US visa, and ESTA-applications are also processed far quicker. Applicants of US visas have to schedule an appointment at the US embassy or consulate, while an ESTA can be applied for fully online.
Qatar will be the 42nd country to join the US Visa Waiver Program. It is the first Gulf country whose citizens will be eligible for an ESTA USA. British and Irish nationals may also use the ESTA. Furthermore, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and a few Asian countries participate in the US Visa Waiver Program.
Qatar meets the VWP requirements
Countries have to meet some specific requirements to be allowed to join the ESTA programme. One of the most important requirements is that the rejection rate for US non-immigration visas for applicants from that country may not be higher than 3 percent. Additionally, candidate countries have to closely cooperate with the US authorities in terms of law enforcement and counterterrorism. Finally, the principle of reciprocity also has to hold, meaning that US citizens must be allowed to enter the candidate country easily without a visa as well.
According to the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Qatar meets all the requirements. Therefore, Qatari citizens will be allowed to travel to the USA on an ESTA from 1 December 2024 onwards. They no longer need to apply for a visa for a holiday or business trip to the USA of up to 90 days. Qatari travellers holding valid B1 or B2 visas may continue to use their visa to travel to the USA for as long as it is still valid.
Visa rules are eased for travellers from the USA
Conversely, it will also become easier for US citizens to visit Qatar. Most US citizens may already stay in Qatar for up to 30 days without a visa. From 1 October 2024 onwards, the permitted length of a visa-free stay will be expanded to 90 days. US citizens who want to travel to Qatar visa-free, must hold a passport that is valid for at least three more months on the day of their arrival in Qatar. Also, they need to be able to show a booking confirmation for a hotel or other accommodation in Qatar.
Close relations United States and Qatar
Qatar and the United States are building a strong strategic alliance, which has resulted in Qatar joining the US Visa Waiver Program. Qatar is an important ally for the United States, both in terms of security and defence, as well as economically. Since travelling between the USA and Qatar has become easier for business travellers, the countries hope to give an impulse for cross-border movements and international trade.