What Is Q Cultural Exchange Visa?
“The Q-1 visa classification allows you to come to the United States temporarily to participate in an international cultural exchange program that provides practical training and employment, and shares your country’s history, culture, and traditions”.
Can I Find Employment With The Q Visa?
- Q Visa allows you to work, but you have to meet certain criteria
- The employment provides you with the opportunity to share your culture and traditions with people in the U.S
- During the time that as a Q1 visa holder, you will participate in practical training programs that are given by your U.S employer
- You will also have the opportunity to gain and improve your skills, become familiar with U.S culture, and also inform U.S citizens of the visa holder’s history and customs of the country that you are from
- This is considered as a two-way beneficial program to increase cultural diversity and information exchange for the U.S and other foreign countries
How is Q Visa Different from J1?
- The main difference between the Q1 visa with the J-1 visa is that the programs for J-1 visa are administered by the U.S Department of State, while the Q1 visa programs are administered by USCIS
- Hence, all procedures for the Q1 visa must go through USCIS.
- In order to qualify for a J-1 visa, an applicant must be accepted into a State Department approved exchange program which must be managed by an organization that is certified by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
- J-1 visitors who do not enter the country specifically for work should check with the sponsoring agency to see what restrictions may exist for employment
- Spouses and children of a J-1 visitor are also eligible for J-2 visas and are allowed to find employment as long as their employment is not used to support the holder of the J-1 visa
Is There a Cap for Q1 Visas?
- There is no cap for the Q1 visa
- So, if you are able to find a cultural exchange program willing to hire you in the U.S and you fulfill the eligibility criteria, then you can get the visa
Eligibility for Q1 Visa
- Only employers who administer cultural exchange programs may petition for Q nonimmigrants
- It is an employment-oriented program, but an integral part of your duties must have a cultural element
- You must be at least 18 years old; be qualified to perform the service, labor, or training; and be able to communicate effectively about the cultural attributes of your country
Who Can File for A Q1 Visa?
The sponsor or employer of the Q1 visa holder must meet the following conditions:
- Be a registered business in the U.S.
- Have an international cultural exchange program in their business.
- Employ international cultural exchange participants to share their culture.
- Has a person who acts as a liaison between the business and USCIS.
- Organizes events to provide cultural exchange information from the participant.
- Is able to compensate the Q1 visa holder for their services while in the U.S, with the compensation being similar to what they would pay U.S workers in that position
- Is able to offer an appropriate working condition to the Q1 visa holder
Please Note:
Each eligibility criteria must be proved through valid documents during the application phase, and the participant must provide documents that prove they can get the Q1 visa
An Overview of Petition Process
- The qualified employer, or a designated agent it employs on a permanent basis in an executive or managerial capacity, must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the USCIS office specified in the form instructions
- In addition, along with the position description, the employer must submit evidence that it maintains an established international cultural exchange program
- It may demonstrate this by submitting copies of brochures, curriculum, or other types of material that illustrate that the program’s cultural component is designed, on the whole, to exhibit or explain the attitude, customs, history, heritage, philosophy, traditions, and/or other cultural attributes (arts, literature, language) of the participant’s country of nationality
- The employer must also submit evidence that the program activities take place in a school, museum, business, or other establishments where the American public, or a segment of the public sharing a common cultural interest, is exposed to aspects of a foreign culture as part of a structured program
How to File
Your sponsoring organization must:
- Read the instructions for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
- Complete and sign Form I-129;
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable; and
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
Want status updates about your case? Learn how to create a USCIS online account to stay informed.
Special Note About Q1 Visa
- All documents must be filed with USCIS
- Upon receiving the documents, USCIS will review the information and then approve or deny the petition
- If USCIS approves the sponsor’s petition, then USCIS will send Form I-797, Notice of Action to both the sponsor and the participant
- Once Form I-797 has been received, the participant and visa applicant can complete the Q-1 visa application process
- From this point, the visa application process proceeds similar to an ordinary visa application, with the participant completing form DS-160 and attending an in-person interview at a nearby U.S. embassy or consulate in his or her home country
After You File
Once USCIS received your form, your sponsoring organization will receive a:
- Receipt notice confirming we received your petition;
- Biometric services notice, if applicable;
- Notice to appear for an interview, if required; and
- Notice of our decision.
Forms and Fees
- Form I-129
- Find the fee information on USCIS Fee Schedule
Can I Apply for A Q1 Visa in the Embassy or Consulate?
- Once the visa petition is approved, you can apply for a visa (if required) at a U.S. embassy or consulate
- For additional information on visa application processing and issuance fees, see the “Department of State, travel.state.gov”
Checklist of Required Documents
These documents may be necessary to prove your previous work and education experience, among other qualifications.
The required documents for a Q-1 visa application typically include:
- Valid passport
- A photograph that meets photo requirements
- Form I-797 (sent to you and your sponsor from USCIS)
- DS-160 confirmation page and code
- Receipt for your Q-1 visa application fee
- Documents proving educational and work experience
- Documents or other proof showing you intend to return to your home country upon completion of the Q-1 cultural exchange program (i.e. bank account statements from your home country, a property deed, or documents of friends and family)
How Long is the Q1 Visa Valid?
- When the sponsor petitions for you as an exchange visitor, they will have to state the duration of the program
- The U.S Embassy and USCIS will grant you a Q1 visa for the duration of the program or for a maximum of 15 months, whichever period is shorter
- If your visa is only given for 7 months, then you and your sponsor can apply for an extension for an additional 8 months
- The total duration of your stay in the U.S cannot exceed 15 months
- After you complete your Q cultural exchange program, you are afforded 30 days to depart the United States
- After 15 months, you must return to your home country and wait 1 year before you can apply for another Q1 visa
What About Q Family Visas?
- The Q nonimmigrant classification does not have a provision for any spouse or children to accompany or follow to join a Q-1 nonimmigrant
- Therefore, any spouse or children wishing to enter the United States must qualify independently for a nonimmigrant classification.
Whether you’re an employer considering implementing a Q-1 exchange program within your company, or you are a foreign national considering coming to the US in a cultural exchange program that would require either a Q-1 or J-1 visa, please feel free to fill out this contact form and schedule your consultation with one of our attorneys, or