Under the new plan, Americans can visit Qatar for longer periods and Qataris can travel to the US without visas

A new program will soon allow American citizens to visit the Gulf state of Qatar for longer and give Qataris access to free travel to the US for tourism or business, the Biden administration announced on Tuesday.

Qatar will be the latest country – and the first Gulf country – to join the Visa Waiver Program, which allows certain foreigners to travel to the US without visas if their governments agree to improve security and information sharing programs with Washington. Arrangements with Qatar include the US government obtaining passenger records and information on criminals and known or suspected terrorists, US officials said on the phone with reporters.

While US officials say they are still working to finalize a specific date, free travel to the US for Qataris will begin before December.

As part of this plan, the Doha government will allow American travelers to stay longer in Qatar. American tourists and business travelers already enjoy visa-free travel to the Gulf country. But from October 1, they will be able to stay there for up to 90 days — instead of the current limit of 30 days.

“Qatar’s fulfillment of strict security requirements to join the Visa Waiver Program will deepen our strategic relationship and improve the flow of people and trade between our two countries,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. “Qatar’s entry will make travel between the United States and Qatar safer, more secure, and easier for Americans and Qataris.”

The Visa Waiver Program applies to citizens of 42 countries, most of which are US partners in Europe. Although it allows citizens of those countries to travel to the US without visas, participants in the program are still vetted by US officials before they are allowed to enter the country.

Qatar will be the third country added to the program under the Biden administration, joining Croatia and Israel.