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Non-Immigrant Visas

International Cultural Exchange Visas

Q classification applies to an alien coming to the U.S. to participate in an international cultural exchange program designated by the DHS for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of the alien’s country of nationality.
 
Requirements

To be eligible for Q status an alien must:

  • Have a residence abroad which he or she does not intend to abandon;
  • Be at least 18 years of age;
  • Be qualified to perform the service or labor or to receive the type of training specified in the petition;
  • Have the ability and English language skills to communicate effectively about the cultural attribute of his or her country to the American public; and
  • Have been outside the United States for the immediate prior year if previously admitted as a Q non-immigrant.

Petition Information

The prospective employer of the applicant is required to file (Form I-129,Petition for Non-immigrant Worker,  with U.S.Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS). For more detailed information regarding filing the Form I-129, as well as requirements, please refer to the USCIS Temporary Workers web site. The petition, Form I-129 must be approved by USCIS before the prospective employee can apply for a visa at a U.S.Embassy or Consulate abroad.

When the petition is approved, the employer or agent is sent a Notice of Action, Form I-797, the notification of petition approval. However, the I-797 is no longer needed for the visa applicant's interview, since petition approval is now verified in the Department of State's system called Petition Information Management Service (PIMS). In order to verify the petition approval, we will need your approved I-129 petition receipt number so please make sure to have this available. It should be noted that the approval of a petition shall not guarantee visa issuance to an applicant found to be ineligible under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Timing

Applicants may enter the United States up to ten days before the validity period of the petition begins. They may only work during the validity period of the visa.

Those temporary workers who wish to stay beyond the time indicated on their form I-94 must contact USCIS.

Additional Information

  • If you are not a resident of Mexico, refer to Third Country Nationals to determine if you can apply for this visa class in Mexico.