Qatar joins the Visa Waiver Program
From December 1st, 2024, Qatari citizens will be able to apply for an ESTA and travel to the United States without a visa. We explain what this means for visitors from Qatar and how the ESTA application works.
US visa exemption for Qatar
A privilege that has long been enjoyed by citizens of many countries around the world will be extended to citizens of Qatar from December 1st: being able to travel visa-free to the USA using the inexpensive, fast, and convenient ESTA system.
The Visa Waiver Program, which is associated with ESTA, allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or leisure for a period of up to 90 days, provided they meet the eligibility requirements Qatari citizens will be able to apply for an ESTA from December 1st, 2024.
Entering the US via the Visa Waiver Program is possible as soon as the ESTA application has been approved, which usually only takes a few minutes, but no more than 72 hours.
ESTA requirements
To use ESTA, you must not only be a citizen of a country in the Visa Waiver Program, but you must also meet additional requirements. These relate to the purpose of the journey and certain individual characteristics or life events of the traveler.
The following requirements apply to Qatari citizens who wish to travel to the United States using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
- The stay must be for business or tourist reasons and may not exceed 90 days.
- Travelers must have a machine-readable, electronic passport that meets international standards and is valid for at least three months after the date of departure.
- Travelers from Qatar who enter the United States with ESTA must be able to show a hotel booking within the United States.
- A return ticket or a ticket for onward travel to another country must be presented upon entry to the United States.
- Travelers must not have traveled to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1st, 2011, or been in Cuba since January 12th, 2021.
- Travelers must not be citizens of North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Sudan, or Syria in addition to their citizenship of a VWP country.
These requirements are part of the comprehensive security measures designed to ensure that only authorized Visa Waiver Program travelers are admitted to the United States.
What changes for Qatari citizens with ESTA?
With the introduction of ESTA, Qatari citizens can enter the United States much more cost-effectively, with less red tape, and drastically shorter waiting times. Until now, entry was only possible with a classic visa from the US embassies or consulates.
ESTA or visa: these are the differences
| US entry | ESTA | US visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application: | Online | Written application + appointment at embassy |
| Processing time: | max. 72 hours | 15 - 30 days |
| Fee: | about € 49.90 (with additional services and securities via esta-application.com) | from $ 185 |
| Max. length of stay: | 90 days | 180 days or more (depending on visa) |
| Suitable for: | Tourist travel, business travel, transit, medical treatment | Tourist travel, business travel, students, job applicants, spouses, fiancées, immigrants (Green Card) |
The cost of the ESTA authorization on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is $ 21, not including additional services or securities.
When do Qatari citizens require a visa instead of an ESTA authorization?
Qatari citizens must apply for a US visa if they:
- wish to work in the USA
- wish to study in the USA
- wish to immigrate to the USA
- have not received an ESTA authorization after an application (ESTA denied)
ESTA at a glance
This is what you need to know about traveling to the USA with ESTA:
- ESTA is not a visa, but a travel authorization for visa-free entry.
- As an ESTA traveler, you have limited rights and are only allowed to stay in the United States for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
- All information provided in the ESTA application must be truthful to avoid complications or rejection.
- An ESTA authorization is generally valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
- Exceptions to the two-year rule apply only to certain countries.
- If you have been denied a US visa in the past, your ESTA application will also be denied.
- You must apply for the ESTA at the latest 72 hours before your departure to the USA.
- Travelers with an ESTA authorization can stay in the USA for up to 90 days at a time.
How to apply for ESTA
You can apply for your ESTA via esta-application.com or directly with the US government.
Remember: any mistake can jeopardize your ESTA approval and cause you to be permanently blocked from the ESTA program. We therefore recommend that you submit your application through an ESTA agency. If you wish a thorough review of your data and personal assistance with your ESTA application, contact esta-application.com.
ESTA application: step by step
This is how you apply for your ESTA at esta-application.com:
- Create an ESTA account with a valid email address.
- Enter the number of travelers and provide the required information for each person.
- Upload the passport data page of each traveler.
- Enter all requested contact information and employment information.
- Provide information about other nationalities or passports.
- Answer the ESTA security questions.
- Select the desired service package.
- Pay the ESTA fee.
After you submit it, your application will be checked, if necessary corrected with your help, and then submitted to the US authorities.
If you have any further questions about the ESTA application for Qatari citizens, you will find the answers in our FAQ section:
Qatar's accession to the ESTA program means that Qatari citizens can now enter the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without a visa.
Instead of going through the more complex process of applying for a visa, they can simply apply for authorization online or via an app using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This makes the travel process much easier.
Qatar's participation in the ESTA program also strengthens security cooperation between Qatar and the United States, as there is an intensive exchange of information on crime and terrorism. The admission promotes economic and cultural exchange between the two countries by simplifying travel and trade activities.
An approved ESTA authorization is generally valid for two years and allows multiple entries, as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days. Overall, this means a much easier and faster way for Qatari citizens to travel to the United States, while at the same time ensuring the security requirements of both countries.
With an approved ESTA authorization, Qatari nationals may enter the United States for up to 90 days without a visa to carry out certain activities. These include, among other things, tourism, i.e. visiting places of interest, leisure activities, medical treatment, visiting friends or family, as well as tourist travel in general.
In addition, they can also carry out business activities, such as attending conferences, meeting business partners, or conducting contract negotiations. They are also allowed to take part in short, non-remunerated educational or training programs.
However, activities such as job hunting, paid work, studying, permanent residence, or participating in programs that exceed 90 days are not permitted.
As a citizen of Qatar, you can apply for an ESTA authorization via the website esta-application.com. The process is simple and can be completed online.
First, click on the “Apply Now” button. You will then be asked to fill out a form with personal information such as your name, date of birth, passport number, and contact details. You will also need to provide details of your planned stay in the United States, such as the address of your first accommodation.
As part of the application, you will also need to answer security questions to verify your eligibility for the program. These questions may include previous travel to countries considered to be a security risk or criminal convictions.
After filling out the form, a fee will be charged, which you can safely pay by credit card or other electronic means of payment. Once the application has been submitted and the payment has been made, your application will be processed within 72 hours. You will then receive an email notifying you of the status of your application.
With an ESTA authorization, a Qatari citizen can stay in the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. The authorization covers both tourists and business travelers.
It is important to note that these 90 days are counted from the moment you enter the United States and cannot be extended. If you are planning a longer stay or have a different reason for traveling, such as studying or working, you would need to apply for a regular visa.
Your ESTA approval is valid for two years, which means that you can enter the US multiple times during that time, as long as each stay does not exceed the 90-day limit.
If you are a Qatari citizen and already have a valid B-1/B-2 visa, it will remain valid and usable even if you qualify for ESTA authorization.
You can choose to travel to the United States either with your existing visa or with an ESTA authorization, depending on your travel plans. The B-1/B-2 visa may offer more flexible options if you plan to stay longer than 90 days or if the purpose of your visit is not covered by the Visa Waiver Program.
So it remains an additional option that you can use if necessary.
There is a special requirement for Qatari citizens regarding the validity of their passports: To enter the United States using the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended return date.
Processing an ESTA application for Qatari citizens usually takes less than 72 hours. In many cases, you will receive approval within minutes of submitting the application.
However, to avoid any possible delays, we recommend that you submit your application no later than 72 hours before your planned departure for the United States. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a confirmation by email and your ESTA authorization will be valid for two years, provided that your passport does not expire during that time.