DOHA: Qatari passport holders travelling to the United States of America (US) for tourism and business purposes will be able soon to apply for a 90-day non-extendable travel authorization, an official source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)'s Department of Consular Affairs said. The move is pursuant to Qatar's accession to the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Qatari nationals can apply for two-year travel authorization via esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the mobile application (ESTA Mobile) through the IOS app store or Google Play store. The authorizations are valid for two years.

The travel authorization is deemed void upon the expiration of the passport, the source said, adding that the implementation and requirements of the VWP will be announced in due course.