Qatar

The Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Qatari citizens and nationals will be able to apply for travel to the United States as temporary visitors under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Effective December 1, 2024, Qataris can travel to the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days without needing a visa. Instead, they will only need to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online. Qatar is the first Gulf country to be designated for the VWP.

While U.S. citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to Qatar for up to 30 days, beginning October 1, 2024, they are eligible to stay in Qatar for up to 90 days (with a valid passport).

Background: Qatar

Qatar has a population of over 2.5 million people. It is a strategic partner to the United States due to its location in the Gulf region and its role in regional security. It hosts al-Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. Roughly 10,000 U.S. troops are based in Qatar. The country also has played a diplomatic role in mediating conflicts and facilitating dialogue in regional and international conflicts. Qatar’s cooperation in counterterrorism and humanitarian aid efforts strengthen its ties with the United States. 

The U.S. Visa Waiver Program

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may designate countries as eligible for the Visa Waiver Program if certain requirements are met. Those requirements include an evaluation of refusal rates for U.S. visas, the existence of reciprocal privileges for U.S. citizens, information sharing agreements, and security reviews, among other factors.

Qatar’s admission brings the total number of eligible countries in the VWP to forty-two. At present, the designated countries in the VWP are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Citizens of these countries are eligible to forgo the visa application process in favor of applying for ESTA, the U.S. government’s automated, online system that determines travelers’ eligibility to visit the United States under the VWP. The ESTA application collects biographical information and answers to specific eligibility questions, including information about past travel and criminal history.

Practical Considerations for Travelers

Qatari citizens with existing visitor visas may continue using them for as long as they remain valid. Qatari citizens may also continue to apply for visitor visas if they intend to remain in the United States for more than 90 days or are ineligible for ESTA.

ESTA approvals are valid for up to two years. It is recommended that travelers apply for ESTA as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets, subject to the December 1 effective date for Qatari citizens.

ESTA approval does not guarantee entry into the United States. Immigration officers from U.S. Customs & Border Protection retain discretion to refuse admission to travelers on ESTA if their request for entry is found to be in violation of U.S. immigration law.

What can employers and business partners expect from this change?

Qataris who qualify for visa free travel can expect:

  • Faster travel arrangements – bypassing the need for a visa appointment at the U.S. embassy if approved for visa-free travel under this program.
  • Spontaneous trips between Qatar and the U.S. – last minute attendance at conferences, networking events, and on-site visits.
  • Less paperwork – employers and legal and human resources departments will not be needed to assist in visa applications, interviews, or document preparation.
  • Better business relations – Qatar and the U.S. will have more opportunities to expand business and collaborate, including by sending employees for trainings or temporary assignments.

What do you need to know?

  • The VWP only allows stays of up to 90 days and is only a waiver for a B1/B2 visa. Therefore, employment or longer-term assignments will still require the appropriate visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1, E-2).
  • ESTA is still an application process that can result in denials, such as for security reasons or past immigration violations.
  • Unless revoked, ESTA is typically valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until the applicant’s passport expiration, whichever comes first.
  • Travelers still need a valid passport for the duration of their stay.
  • Qatar still has its own controls for how its citizens and nationals can depart.

What do you need to do?

  • Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours in advance of travel.
  • Update internal travel policies to reflect the ease of U.S. travel for Qatari citizens and nationals.
  • Train HR and global mobility teams on ESTA processes and requirements.
  • Remind employees that traveling under ESTA cannot exceed 90 days.

Why is this change important, especially before the November 2024 election?

  • Deepens ties with Qatar, a crucial Middle East ally.
  • Boosts tourism and business.
  • Maintains a robust security partnership, as VWP has stringent security and counterterrorism qualification criteria.
  • Adds foreign policy leverage.

Related News: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Opens Office in Qatar

In May 2024, the Department of Homeland Security opened a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS ) field office in Doha, Qatar, at the U.S. Embassy. The office will increase the capacity for U.S. refugee processing by supporting the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program’s infrastructure in the region. It also will directly support long-established and increasing USCIS refugee processing circuit rides, as well as strengthen strategic partnerships and facilitate interagency cooperation.

Please continue to follow updates on our blog, The Mobile Workforce.