The United States announced Tuesday that Qatar would be admitted to its visa-free program. Qatari nationals will be able to travel visa free for up a 90 day period starting no later then December 1. The US Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and Department of Defense released a statement saying Qatar is the first Gulf Country to be admitted to US Visa Waiver Program. Doha has been commended for meeting strict security requirements.
The tiny Gulf State has played a major role in the mediation talks with Hamas officials and Israeli officials about the war in Gaza as well as the release of hostages that were captured by the Palestinian Islamists in their Oct. 7 cross border attack on Israel. A US administration official told reporters that the US enjoys a strong defense relationship in Qatar. He praised Doha, for example, for taking the initiative to press the Taliban on human-rights issues and providing assistance to Sudan.
“Qatar meeting the strict security requirements to be a part of the Visa Waiver Programme will deepen and enhance our strategic partnership, and increase the flow of commerce and people between our two nations,” Secretary Antony Blinken in a statement.
The UK has launched a campaign to encourage immigrants to switch from paper immigration documents to electronic visas. This move is aimed at digitising the UK’s immigration and border system by next summer. The transition provides greater convenience, savings and increased security. For those who need assistance, free advice and help is available.
Washington requires that countries meet certain requirements in order to be admitted to the program, which allows visitors traveling for business or tourism to stay up 90 days without a Visa. These include requirements related to counterterrorism, immigration enforcement and enforcement of law, document security and border management. Qatar has made “a significant whole-government effort” to meet all requirements of the program, including sharing information on terrorism or serious crimes.
Qatar is only the 42nd country to join the program. Croatia will be added in 2021, and Israel was added last year. The program requires all countries to offer US citizens visa-free travel. US citizens can travel to Qatar currently without a Visa, but they will now be allowed to stay up 90 days instead 30 starting Oct. 1.
