Homeland Security Department
Eligible citizens, nationals, and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant noncitizens for a period of ninety days or less for business or pleasure without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided that they are otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. On September 20, 2024, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, designated Qatar as a country that is eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, effective September 24, 2024. Accordingly, this rule updates the list of countries designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program by adding Qatar.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Part 217 AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment. SUMMARY: Eligible citizens, nationals, and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant noncitizens for a period of ninety days or less for business or pleasure without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided that they are otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. On September 20, 2024, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, designated Qatar as a country that is eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, effective September 24, 2024. Accordingly, this rule updates the list of countries designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program by adding Qatar. DATES: This final rule is effective on September 26, 2024. The Secretary's designation is effective on September 24, 2024. The designation will be implemented on December 1, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjum K. Agarwala, Department of Homeland Security, Visa Waiver Program Office, (202) 790-5207. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background A. The Visa Waiver Program Pursuant to section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1187 , the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary), in consultation with the Secretary of State, may design…
Citation: 89 FR 78783
