By Al-Fassel | 2024-10-22

Travel between Qatar and the United States will be easier starting on December 1, thanks to a change in visa requirements that is the latest step in the long-standing partnership between the two nations.

The US State Department announced in September that Qatar would join the US Visa Waiver Program, a significant development that will further solidify diplomatic, economic, educational and cultural ties.

Qatar is the first Gulf nation to be admitted into the program.

Now Qataris may travel to the United States visa-free for up to 90 days for business or tourism.

The US Visa Waiver Program allows eligible nationals from 42 designated countries to visit the United States without obtaining a visa, provided they meet specific security and information-sharing requirements.

For Qatari travelers, the economic advantages are clear.

Businesses can now more easily send employees for training, networking or business trips without the delays associated with securing visas. Additionally, the processing fee is only $21, compared to the average cost of $185 for most US non-immigrant visas.

In a reciprocal move, Qatar has extended visa-free stays for US citizens from 30 days to 90 days starting October 1.

Growing ties

Qatar's inclusion in the visa waiver program is more than just a travel arrangement -- it is part of a broader effort to deepen ties in trade, education and defense.

Qatar's strategic role in the Gulf region, exemplified by its hosting of the US military's largest base in the Middle East, al-Udeid air base, underscores its importance in regional security.

Roughly 10,000 US troops are stationed there, highlighting the country's crucial role in counterterrorism, military cooperation and humanitarian efforts​.

Furthermore, economic ties between the two nations are thriving. Qatar is a significant investor in US industries, particularly in energy, real estate and aviation.

With the ongoing Qatar National Development Strategy (2024-2030), Qatar is poised to increase investment in US markets, which is expected to create job opportunities and stimulate technological innovations.

Education collaboration

Over 500 Qatari citizens studied in the United States during the 2021-2022 academic year, according to the IIE Open Doors Report.

Some universities have exchange relationships with Qatar, such as the DC-Doha Dialogue, which recently brought together students from Georgetown University's Doha and Washington campuses to collaborate on research projects centered around social justice and urban development.

The program, designed to spark meaningful conversations and foster collaboration between the campuses, blended Qatari traditions with American educational methodologies.