The State of Qatar is the first Arab country and the second Muslim country after Brunei Darussalam to be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) of the United States recently. The inclusion of Qatar in the VWP is touted as a recognition of the “strategic partnership" between the two countries. Qatar and the United States have enjoyed strong ties for years, and Washington officially recognized Doha as a “major, non-NATO ally" in 2022. With the VWP, Qatari citizens will have the opportunity to travel to the United States for business and tourism purposes for up to 90 days. In return, US citizens will also be eligible to take advantage of the same privileges when travelling to Qatar.
It is imperative to note that Qatari citizens' refusal rates for non-immigrant visas of the United States have been remarkably low for a long time; it is currently below 3 per cent. Qatari citizens are generally granted a 10-year multiple entry visa (B-1/B-2 visa) and subsequent visa renewals rarely require physical presence for an interview. Under the VWP, Qatari citizens are now required to obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before travelling to the United States. This move signifies a deepening of trust and cooperation and enhancing Qatar's role as a strategic partner in the region and beyond. As travel becomes more accessible, it may also lead to increased collaboration in various sectors, such as education, technology, and commerce, thereby reinforcing the bilateral ties.
What is unique about the VWP is that it involves the fulfilment of stringent security requirements for participating countries including counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security (passports and other identity information), and transparent border management. Qatar has made a significant whole-of-government effort to meet all program requirements successfully. The compliance of the rigorous VWP requirements has enabled Qatar to gain a new level of recognition as a trusted partner in international mobility and security issues. Qatar's rank in the Henley Passport Index is relatively low, compared to some other high-income, wealthy nations. For instance, Qatar occupies the 47th position in the Henley Passport Index and enjoys 107 visa-free destinations whereas Singapore occupies the 1st position and enjoys 195 visa-free destinations. The participation of Qatar in the Visa Waiver Program will help remove some of the impediments to the mobility score of the Qatari passport and ascend to the rank of one of the world's most powerful passports in the near future.