What is a Q International Cultural Exchange Visitor?
There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs in the U.S. under immigration law. The “J” exchange visitor visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the DOS, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is discussed here. The “Q1” 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 U.S.. The training/employment must be approved in advance by USCIS on the basis of a petition, Form I-129, filed by the U.S. sponsor.
