Visa Lawyer Blog: U.S. government designates Qatar as a visa waiver program effective no later than December 1, 2024

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

Qatar’s designation was announced on September 24th by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State.Qatar will become the 42nd 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. Qatar will change its travel policy starting October 1, 2024 to allow U.S. citizens entry into Qatar up to 90-days instead of the 30-day limit. U.S. travelers are required to have a passport valid for at least 3 months after arrival, and a confirmed booking in a hotel upon arrival. Qatar’s participation increases information sharing about one of the busiest transfer and travel hubs in the world, strengthening security for 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. If you have been denied a U.S. Visa, your ESTA may be denied and you may not be able to travel to the U.S. through 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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