Qatar Joins US Visa Waiver Program

Qatar: The First Arab State in the US Visa Waiver Program

The United States has announced that it will waive visa requirements for Qatari citizens. This makes Qatar, a gas-rich Gulf state, the first Arab country and the second Muslim-majority country to enjoy expedited travel to the US. The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday that Qatar had met the "stringent security requirements" to become the 42nd member of the US visa waiver program. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that this agreement would "deepen our strategic partnership and enhance the flow of people and commerce between our two countries."

Qatar’s Population and GDP

Qatar has a population of approximately 2.6 million, with only a small fraction, around 313,000, being citizens. The US visa waiver program is primarily reserved for wealthy western European and Asian states. Israel was included in the program last year. Qatar boasts a GDP per capita of $87,661, which is about $10,000 more than the US. US officials have expressed openness to other Gulf Arab nations joining the program in the future. The only other Muslim-majority country in the program is the Southeast Asian nation of Brunei.

Qatar as a Key US Ally

Qatar is a crucial ally of the US, hosting al-Udeid, the largest US air base in the Middle East, and the forward operating headquarters of all US forces in the region, also known as Centcom. Approximately 10,000 US troops are based in Qatar. Earlier this year, the Biden administration reached an agreement to extend its stay at the base for another decade. Qatar is committed to maintaining its partnership with the US.

Qatar’s Relations with Neighboring Countries

Previously, Qatar endured a blockade by neighboring countries UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain due to its alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, among other reasons. Qatar has since mended ties with Riyadh, but relations with Abu Dhabi remain tense, with both countries supporting different sides in Sudan’s civil war. Qatar has managed to maintain close ties with both Republican and Democratic administrations by demonstrating its value to the US, such as helping the US evacuate thousands of Afghan allies as the Taliban took control of the country. More recently, Qatar has worked alongside Egypt to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza.

Qatar’s Relationship with Hamas

Despite enjoying good relations with the Biden administration, Qatar has faced some pressure from Congress members who are concerned about its relationship with Hamas. Hamas was based in Damascus, Syria, until 2012, when it had a falling out with the Syrian government over the country’s civil war. At the request of the US, Qatar agreed to host the exiled leadership to maintain an indirect line of communication with the group, according to Qatari officials. In June, The Wall Street Journal reported that both Qatar and Egypt had warned Hamas officials that they could face arrest, asset freezing, sanctions, and expulsion from Doha if they did not agree to a ceasefire with Israel.

Bottom Line

The inclusion of Qatar in the US visa waiver program marks a significant development in the relations between the two countries. It raises questions about the future of the program and which countries might be next to join. What are your thoughts on this development? Do you think it will lead to a stronger alliance between the US and Qatar, or could it complicate matters given Qatar's ties with controversial groups like Hamas? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.