The United States says it will waive visa requirements for citizens of Qatar, making it the first Gulf country admitted into the US Visa Waiver Program.
The US Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday said that Qatar has cleared the “stringent security requirements” to become the 42nd member of the visa waiver program.
The agreement “will deepen our strategic partnership and enhance the flow of people and commerce between our two countries,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Starting no later than December 1, 2024, the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application and mobile app will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Qatar to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa.
These authorizations are generally valid for two years. Travelers with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use their visa for travel to the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will remain an option for Qatari citizens.
Last year, the United States added Israel after years of friction. To enter the program, Israel promised not to discriminate against its admission of US citizens of Palestinian or other Arab descent.
Qatar will be the 42nd member of the VWP and the third country added under Secretary Mayorkas’s tenure (Croatia in 2021 and Israel in 2023).
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
