U.S. Government Designates Qatar into the Visa Waiver Program Effective No Later than December 1, 2024

We are excited to report that Qatar will soon be joining the Visa Waiver Program, which permits citizens of 41 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

Qatar’s designation was announced on September 24^th by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State.

Qatar will become the 42^nd member of the Visa Waiver Program and the first of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to become part of the program.

When can Qatari nationals travel to the United States using the Visa Waiver Program?

Qatari nationals can start applying for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application or on the “ESTA Mobile” app no later than December 1, 2024.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Visa Waiver Program travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.

ESTA travel authorizations are generally valid for two years upon issuance and permit travelers to remain in the United States for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

Qatari citizens with valid B1/B2 visas may continue to use them for business and tourist travel to the United States.

Can U.S. Citizens also travel to Qatar without a visa?

Yes. The move will also benefit U.S. Citizens, considering that Qatar will update its travel policies starting October 1, 2024, to allow all U.S. citizens to request entry into Qatar for up to 90 days instead of the previous 30-day limit. U.S. travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least three months from arrival and a confirmed hotel booking on arrival.

In his announcement, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas remarked, “The Visa Waiver Program is one of our most successful security initiatives. Qatar’s participation in the program increases information sharing regarding one of the world’s busiest travel and transfer hubs, strengthening the security of the United States. I commend our Qatari partners for meeting the stringent requirements in this agreement entails and look forward to our continued work together on behalf of our respective countries.”

What is the Visa Waiver Program?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all program requirements.

The program allows for comprehensive security partnerships between the United States and designated countries that meet strict requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. These requirements include confirmation that a country issues secure travel documents, extends visa-free privileges to all U.S. citizens without regard to national origin, religion, or ethnicity; works closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities; and for initial designation, has a rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals below 3% during the previous full fiscal year.

Who may not qualify to travel under the Visa Waiver Program?

If you were previously denied a U.S. visa, your ESTA application may be denied, and as a result you may not be eligible to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. In such case you may apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to gain admission to the United States.

Additionally, certain nationals are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. This includes the following travelers who must obtain a visa prior to traveling to the United States:

Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

For more information about this announcement please click here.

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