What is a “Q” International Cultural Exchange Visitor?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. The "J" exchange visitor visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the

Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is discussed here. The "Q-1" visa is for certain international cultural exchange programs designed to provide practical training and employment, and sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of participants home country in the United States. The training/employment must be approved in advance by the office of the Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the basis of a petition,Form I-129 is filed by the U.S. sponsor. To learn more, go to the USCIS Website by selecting "Q" International Cultural Exchange, To learn more about applying for the Q visa, select Temporary Worker Visa. The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program or Walsh Program (Q2, Q3 visa) is a groundbreaking cultural exchange and employment-training program, administered by the Department of State.