In an announcement that marks a historic turning point for U.S.-Qatari relations, the The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Qatar will become the 42nd country to join the prestigious U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as of December 1, 2024.. This decision makes Qatar the first Arab state in the Gulf to benefit from this privileged status, underlining the growing importance of this small emirate on the international scene.
A stronger partnership
This decision is the fruit of years of close collaboration between Washington and Doha. Qatar had to meet rigorous criteria in terms of security, counter-terrorism and border management to obtain this recognition. Alejandro N. MayorkasUS Secretary of Homeland Security, praised Qatar's efforts, highlighting the strategic importance of this strengthened partnership.
Simplified travel
From December 1, Qatari citizens will be able to travel to the United States for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days without a visa. They will, however, need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) before their departure. In return, Americans will benefit from an extended stay in Qatar, from 30 to 90 days visa-free from October 1, 2024.
How to use the ESTA
To obtain the ESTA, Qatari travellers should visit the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov or use the mobile application "ESTA Mobile". The process involves filling in an online form and paying a fee of 21 USD. Once obtained, the authorization is valid for two years, or until the passport expires. A private agency can also help you with this process
Here is the list of 41 other countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in addition to Qatar: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, South Korea, Spain, IsraelItaly, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom.
These countries enjoy the privilege of traveling to the U.S. for short tourist or business stays (up to 90 days) without the need for a visa. Nationals of these nations must, however, obtain a ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) prior to travel, and hold a valid passport.
This initiative with Qatar is expected to boost economic exchanges between the 2 countries. Facilitated business travel could encourage new investments and partnerships, particularly in the energy and new technologies sectors.
On the security front, Qatar's integration into the VWP strengthens cooperation in information sharing. The Al-Udeid air base near Doha, which plays a crucial role in US military operations in the Middle East, already symbolizes this close collaboration.
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