The Q-1 visa allows people to come to the United States to take part in an established international cultural exchange program. The program must be one that provides practical training, employment, and sharing of the participants' native culture, history, and traditions with the people of the United States. (See I.N.A. § 101(a)(15)(Q).)
There is no cap on the number of nonimmigrant (temporary) visas issued under the Q-1 category each year. That's good news; it means that, unlike in some other nonimmigrant visa categories, applicants won't face long waits for the visa, other than the time it takes to apply, submit paperwork, and attend a consular interview.
Below, we'll discuss the main features and benefits of the Q-1 visa, and who qualifies for it, in greater detail.
A Q-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, meaning that it is temporary. Once having entered the United States, the visa holder can engage only in activities allowed under that type of visa. A spouse and children (unmarried, under age 21) may come to the U.S. with the Q-1 visa holder, by obtaining Q-3 visas, usually at the same time.
How long you will be able to spend in the U.S. on a Q-1 visa will depend partly on your employer/sponsor's needs and its description of the position. You will be admitted for the length of time the program lasts, up to a maximum of 15 months, plus 30 days in which to depart the United States.
A Q-1 visa holder whose program will last longer can apply for an extension of stay only up to the maximum 15 months. For example, if the initial period of stay is for eight months, the employer/sponsor can extend the stay for another seven months. Thereafter, to become eligible for another 15 months after that, you would be required to spend one year outside the United States before applying for a new Q-1 visa.
To qualify for a Q-1 visa, you must:
Your U.S. employer/petitioner will also need to demonstrate that it meets certain criteria. The employer will not need to (in fact, it cannot) obtain any sort of advance certification showing that it meets these criteria. Instead, it will have to demonstrate this within the application process for your Q visa. In particular, the employer will need to show that it:
For information on how to apply, see Application Process for a Temporary (Nonimmigrant) U.S. Visa.
An experienced immigration attorney can be helpful in analyzing whether you are eligible for a Q-1 or some other visa to the United States, whether a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa or an immigrant visa (a green card).
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