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Qatar, US, sign deal to ease travel procedures for nationals

Qatar has signed deal with the US authorities to ease the procedures for Qatari nationals travelling to the US, so as to avoid any sort of difficulties that they may be facing at the US airports, as part of checking and verifying procedures.

The Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, speaking about the deal, revealed that a US team will be made available at the Doha International Airport to facilitate procedures of Qatari nationals travelling to the US, and ensure that they do not face any issues at the US airport, as part of verifying procedures.

The Minister and the US official have agreed to execute the Letter Of Intent (LOI) signed previously in this regard. The LOI includes certain clauses pertaining to the travel procedures between both countries. However, the countries have signed an execution plan that main focuses on immigration consultancy services and easing travel procedures.

The US Immigration Consultancy Services to be established at the Doha International Airport will be open to nationals and residents alike, and for transit passengers, while the procedures to ease travel will be limited to Qataris.

To further ease travel procedures, Qatari nationals can fill in the required immigration forms online under the supervision of the Interior Ministry. The e-gate procedures will be implemented to facilitate movement of Qataris through US airport.

The agreed procedures will be for those who have obtained a US visa. Although, it is not an alternative for the US visas, it is aimed at easing the travel procedures.

The Assistant Director of Information Systems Department of the MoI, Col. Abdul Rahman Al Maliki, mentioned that the programmes will be implemented in a phased manner. The online immigration procedures will begin when the technical procedures are completed, he said.

Posted on 6/12/2011