Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, announced the designation of Qatar into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This collaboration aims to enhance U.S. security interests while promoting legitimate travel and commerce between the two nations.

Both Secretaries commended Qatar for meeting the stringent security requirements necessary to join the VWP. "The Visa Waiver Program is one of our most successful security initiatives. Qatar's participation in the program increases information sharing regarding one of the world's busiest travel and transfer hubs, strengthening the security of the United States," said Secretary Mayorkas.

Secretary Blinken added, "Qatar’s fulfillment of the stringent security requirements to join the Visa Waiver Program will deepen our strategic partnership and enhance the flow of people and commerce between our two countries."

The VWP fosters comprehensive security partnerships between the United States and countries that meet strict criteria related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. These requirements include maintaining a nonimmigrant visa refusal rate below 3%, issuing secure travel documents, extending reciprocal entry privileges to all U.S. citizens regardless of national origin or other identifiers, and close cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.

Starting no later than December 1, 2024, Qatari citizens can apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application or mobile app for tourism or business visits up to 90 days without obtaining a U.S. visa first. These authorizations are typically valid for two years.

U.S. citizens currently enjoy visa-free travel to Qatar; starting October 1, 2024, they will be eligible to stay in Qatar for up to 90 days instead of the previous 30-day limit if they have a passport valid for at least three months from arrival and a confirmed hotel booking on arrival.

Qatar becomes the first Gulf country in this program and is encouraged by both secretaries as an example for other potential partners aiming at advancing bilateral and regional security cooperation.

Qatar is now set to become the 42nd member of VWP and marks it as the third country added under Secretary Mayorkas’s tenure following Croatia in 2021 and Israel in 2023.

More details about VWP can be found on its official page.