US Visa Waiver Program Welcomes Qatar as First Gulf Country

US Visa Waiver Program

Qatar becomes first Gulf country to join US visa waiver program

Qatar has become the second Muslim-majority country to join the U.S. visa waiver program, enabling its citizens to travel to the United States without a visa for up to 90 days for business or tourism. This decision, confirmed by the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, reflects Qatar’s compliance with the program’s strict criteria, including low visa denial and overstay rates.

The partnership between Qatar and the U.S. has been strengthened through Qatar’s involvement in key diplomatic efforts, such as negotiating the Gaza ceasefire and assisting during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. With this addition, Qatar joins Brunei as the only other Muslim-majority nation in the program, and starting October 1, U.S. citizens will also be able to stay in Qatar for 90 days without a visa.

Key Concepts

• Qatar has become the second Muslim-majority country to join the U.S. visa waiver program.
• Qatari citizens can now travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
• The U.S. Department of State confirmed that Qatar met the program’s stringent criteria.
• The visa waiver program requires travelers to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
• Qatar’s strategic partnership with the U.S. has strengthened, particularly in security and stability.
• Qatar’s contributions include negotiating the Gaza ceasefire and cooperation during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• With Qatar’s inclusion, there are now 42 countries in the visa waiver program.
• U.S. citizens will also be allowed to stay in Qatar for 90 days without a visa starting October 1.
• Brunei is the only other Muslim-majority nation in the U.S. visa waiver program.
• Israel joined the program in 2023 amid concerns about the treatment of Palestinian Americans, Arab Americans, and Muslim Americans.

The Gulf state of Qatar on Tuesday became the second Muslim-majority country to join the U.S. visa waiver program, which allows its citizens to travel to the United States without first obtaining a U.S. visa.

The U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security jointly announced that Qatar has met the strict criteria for joining the visa waiver program, which includes low visa denial rates, low visa overstay rates, and equal treatment for U.S. travelers. Currently, U.S. tourists are allowed to stay in Qatar for 30 days without a visa.

“Qatar has been an outstanding partner of the United States, and our strategic relationship has grown even stronger over the past few years,” the State Department and Homeland Security Department said in a statement. “This is further evidence of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to security and stability.”

The United States and Qatar enjoy a robust and strategic partnership, built on over 50 years of close cooperation. This relationship spans various domains, including political, economic, and security interests. Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. Air Force installation outside the United States, which plays a crucial role in regional stability and U.S. military operations.

Economically, the U.S. is Qatar’s largest foreign investor, with significant trade and investment ties, particularly in the energy sector. Additionally, Qatar’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022 underscores its importance to U.S. national security.

Qatar played a key role in negotiating the Gaza ceasefire and was a key partner of the United States before and during the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Currently, Qatar is the 42nd country to join the US visa waiver program.

Qatar has played a significant role in the Israel-Hamas conflict, often acting as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations. The country hosts senior Hamas leaders and has provided substantial financial aid to Gaza, which has been crucial for humanitarian efforts.

Despite this, Qatar maintains a complex relationship with Israel, balancing its support for Palestinian causes with its strategic partnerships with Western nations, including the United States. This dual role has positioned Qatar as a key player in regional diplomacy, often facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties.

Most of the countries that have been granted visa-free access to the U.S. are longtime U.S. allies in Europe and Asia. The only other Muslim-majority country in the program is the tiny Southeast Asian nation of Brunei.

While Qatar has a population of just over 3 million, only a small fraction of them (around 320,000) are Qataris, who qualify for the visa-free program as long as they hold a valid passport. The vast majority of people living in Qatar are foreign workers and other expatriates who do not have Qatari passports.

The program allows citizens of eligible countries to enter the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa, but they must still be approved through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which can be completed online and does not require an in-person interview like a visa application.

After October 1, U.S. citizens will be allowed to stay in Qatar for 90 days without a visa.

Israel, the last country to join the program in 2023, was allowed in despite serious concerns that Israel would not treat Palestinian Americans, Arab Americans, or Muslim Americans the same as other U.S. passport holders.