U.S. Consular Official Thanks Qatar for Helping U.S. Citizens and Touts Faster Visas at U.S. Embassy Doha
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter was in Qatar to Participate in the Consular Session of the 2022 U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue
Doha, Qatar – Last week, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter, joined U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, Timmy T. Davis, and Qatari officials in a session of the ongoing 5th U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue. The session focused on consular issues, including visa processing and joint cooperation to support U.S. citizens in Afghanistan. During her visit, Assistant Secretary Bitter conveyed her appreciation for Qatar’s support to U.S. citizens during the World Cup, as well as in Afghanistan where Qatar is the “protecting power” of the United States, providing consular services to U.S. citizens. She also observed efficiencies and improvements at the U.S. Embassy in Qatar in the processing of nonimmigrant visas for applicants of all nationalities who reside in Qatar.
“I had a productive consular-focused session at the Strategic Dialogue with our close partner, Qatar,” said Assistant Secretary Bitter. “I am glad to see firsthand that U.S. Embassy Doha is now processing visas for tourism, education, and business in less time than ever, facilitating the travel of Qataris and residents of all nationalities to the United States. In particular, I am happy to see that the State Department’s recent expansion of the Interview Waiver Program, which allows many returning applicants to skip the interview and renew expired visas without ever visiting the Embassy, is a great convenience for our friends in Qatar.”
Ambassador Timmy T. Davis said “In Doha, in Afghanistan, and beyond, Qatar and the United States coordinate closely on consular matters for the safety of our people and the mutual benefit of our economies. At the U.S. Embassy, we know that an easy nonimmigrant visa and travel experience makes a big impact – especially for students and scholars coming from Qatar, who bring such important perspectives to our university classrooms.”
The 5th U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue is ongoing.