On September 24, 2024, the United States announced that it was admitting Qatar into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This admission will allow eligible Qatari citizens to visit the United States visa-free for up to 90 days, and will go into effect no later than December 1, 2024. Qatar is the first Gulf country to be admitted to the program, which will now include 42 countries all together. Qatari citizens wishing to enter the United States through the VWP will need to apply for prior authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Applying for an ESTA is a relatively quick process, and involves filling in a form with personal information, travel details, answering a few security questions, uploading a copy of the individual’s passport, and paying a small fee. An ESTA can be approved within minutes, or take up to 72 hours to get adjudicated. Once approved, it is generally valid for two years, or until the uploaded passport expires. It is crucial to note that although ESTA authorizes an individual to travel to the United States without a visa, it does not guarantee entry into the Untied States, nor does it include a legal authority for the individual to work therein. Individuals with prior adverse immigration or criminal history will likely be rejected, and may need to apply for a visa (perhaps with a waiver) to enter the United States. You can read about the government’s announcement regarding Qatar’s admission into the VWP here: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/09/24/secretary-mayorkas-and-secretary-blinken-announce-designation-state-qatar-visa.