While Qatar once had a strict tourist visa policy similar to fellow Gulf nations like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the oil-rich nation has spent the last decade trying to promote itself as a tourist destination amid the success of nearby UAE cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
In 2016, Qatar introduced a transit visa for those who wanted to visit the country on a short stopover that was eventually expanded to visa-upon-arrival for holders of certain passports. After the number of stopover visitors spiked by nearly 40% in one year, Qatar opened up visa-free access from just nearby Arab nations to more Western citizens.
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For the last few years, American citizens could visit the capital of Doha and other parts of Qatar for up to 30 days without a visa — a period that, as of Oct. 1, has been extended to match the 90 days they currently get in many European and Asian countries. While less popular than the United Arab Emirates as a tourist destination, Qatar is an extremely wealthy country that many come to for futuristic architecture and an ultra-luxury scene.
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The new travel rules are part of a cooperation with the United States that also gives Qataris the equivalent visa-free 90-day travel period. This makes Qatar, which has been key in negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Arab countries in the wake of the war in Gaza, the first Gulf country to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program that extends to citizens of nations such as Japan, Australia, Israel and European Union countries.
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"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," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on the changes.
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'Will make travel safer, more secure and easier for both Americans and Qataris'
Qatar's ascension means that 42 countries now make up the visa waiver program. When it comes to Americans and citizens of other countries coming to Qatar, Qatar Airways has been running a stopover program similar to ones initially popularized by Icelandair and now also offered by airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Spain's Iberia and fellow Gulf competitor Etihad Airlines since 2021.
The Abu Dhabi stopover launched in 2022 allows those flying Etihad to get elsewhere to book a free stay at a local economy hotel or get 40% discount at a four- or five-star one for up to two nights, while those who want to spend longer in the country can push back their connecting flight longer free of charge.
While access for Americans was opened up on Oct. 1, the U.S. State Department and Department of Homeland Security are still working out a start date for Qataris that they said will not be farther away than December 2024.
On top of the capital of Doha, other popular tourist destinations in Qatar include the ancient village of Al Wakrah and northern city of Al Khor.
"Qatar's entry will make travel between the United States and Qatar safer, more secure, and easier for both Americans and Qataris," Blinken said further.
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