Q Visa

AWhat is Q visa?

The Q non-immigrant visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by USCIS.

If you are seeking to participate in an international cultural exchange program, you can apply for Q visa.(The Q non-immigrant exchange program is for the purpose of providing practical training and employment, and to share the history, culture, and traditions of your home country with the United States.)

To apply for such visas, the sponsor of the project must submit and obtain approval from USCIS.

The Q non-immigrant visa does not have a provision for any spouse or children to accompany or follow to join a Q-1 non-immigrant. Therefore, any spouse or children must qualify for a visa classification for which they may be eligible.

BEligibility Criteria

  1. Only employers who administer cultural exchange programs are allowed to petition for Q non-immigrants. 
  2. The purpose of the Q non-immigrant visa is to facilitate the sharing of international cultures.
  3. It is an employment oriented program, but an integral part of your duties must have a cultural element.
  4. The applicant must be at least 18 years old and be able to communicate effectively about the cultural attributes of his/her country.

CPeriod of Stay/Extension of Stay

Initial Period of Stay is up to 15 months. After you complete your Q cultural exchange program, you are afforded 30 days to depart the United States. You are required to spend 1 year outside the United States before you can apply for participation in the Q cultural exchange program again.