Sept. 25 (UPI) — The Biden administration has admitted Qatar into the U.S. Visa Wavier Program, allowing citizens from the Gulf country to visit the United States for up to 90 days without first securing the travel endorsement.
Qatar’s designation was announced on Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who said Doha’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.”
“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,” Mayorkas said in a statement.
“Qatar’s entry will make travel between the United States and Qatar safer, more secure, and easier for both Americans and Qataris.”
Meshal Al Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the United States, said in a statement that they are “proud of this significant development” in their relationship with the United States.
“Qatar’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program reflects the deepening of the already strong relationship between our two countries,” Thani said.
“At a security level, this designation comes as our countries work closely together across a range of critical areas, including counterterrorism, combating illegal financial networks and human trafficking.”
Thani said Qatar’s designation will bring “significant benefits for both countries.”
“We look forward to increased bilateral cooperation in commerce and cultural exchange in the years to come.”
Under the program, the United States’ Electronics System for Travel Authorization online application will be updated no later than Dec. 1 to allow Qatari citizens and nationals to apply to travel to the United States for up to 90 day without obtaining a U.S. visa.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. citizens already can enter Qatar visa-free, but beginning Oct. 1, they will be eligible to stay in the country for 90 days instead of the previous 30-day limit.
The Visa Waiver Program requires countries to meet strict requirements on counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security and border management.
Countries admitted into the program must have a nonimmigrant visa refusal rate below 3% and issue secure travel documents while giving U.S. citizens visa-free privileges without regard to national origin, religion or ethnicity.
Qatar is the 42nd member of the Visa Waiver Program and the third to be admitted under the Biden administration, following Croatia in 2021 and Israel last year.