Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Qatar has recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Arab country to be admitted into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Announced on September 26, 2024, this new development allows Qatari citizens to enter the United States for tourism or business without a visa for up to 90 days. The agreement marks a major step in Qatar’s diplomatic and security relationship with the United States and is expected to boost travel and tourism between the two nations. This move is not only a symbol of Qatar’s strategic partnership with the U.
S., but it also has broader implications for the global travel industry. The Visa Waiver Program will officially take effect no later than December 1, 2024, following updates to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
This means that Qatari nationals, once pre-authorized through ESTA, will be able to visit the United States without the need to obtain a visa beforehand. For a country in the Middle East to achieve this status is a significant diplomatic achievement and underscores the strong bilateral ties between Qatar and the U.S.
In response, Qatar is expanding its visa-free stay policy for American citizens. Starting from October 1, 2024, Americans visiting Doha will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days, a notable increase from the previous 30-day limit. This reciprocity further strengthens the relationship between the two countries and enhances the flow of people betw.