Q-1 international cultural exchange

The purpose of the Q-1 International Cultural Exchange Visitor classification is to allow participants in an international cultural exchange program to obtain employment and training in the United States while sharing their history, culture, and the traditions of their home country with the American public.

• Be accessible to the public by taking place in a school, museum, business or other establishment where the American public, or a segment of the public sharing a common cultural interest, is exposed to aspects of a foreign culture as part of a structured program;

• Have a cultural component, which is an essential and integral part of the international cultural exchange visitor's employment or training; and

1. File a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 and the corresponding Supplement to Form I-129.

The petition must be filed with evidence that the employer:

• Maintains an established international cultural exchange program.

This may be demonstrated by submitting copies of catalogs, brochures or other types of materials that illustrate:

a) The cultural component of the program is designed to give an overview of the attitude, customs, history, heritage, philosophy, tradition and/or other cultural attributes of the participant’s home country, and;

b) The program activities take place in a public setting where the sharing of culture can be achieved through direct interaction with the American public or a segment thereof.

• Has designated a qualified employee as a representative who will be responsible for administering the international cultural exchange program and who will serve as liaison with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;

The petition must be filed with evidence that the employer:

• Maintains an established international cultural exchange program.

This may be demonstrated by submitting copies of catalogs, brochures or other types of materials that illustrate:

a) The cultural component of the program is designed to give an overview of the attitude, customs, history, heritage, philosophy, tradition and/or other cultural attributes of the participant’s home country, and;

b) The program activities take place in a public setting where the sharing of culture can be achieved through direct interaction with the American public or a segment thereof.

• Has designated a qualified employee as a representative who will be responsible for administering the international cultural exchange program and who will serve as liaison with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;

• Will offer the alien(s) wages and working conditions comparable to those accorded local domestic workers similarly employed; and

• Has the financial ability to remunerate the participant(s).

Generally, a nonimmigrant employee may work for more than one employer at the same time. However, each employer must follow the process for initially applying for a nonimmigrant employee.

The period of admission is the duration of the approved petition for the Q-1 International Cultural Exchange Visitor or fifteen (15) months, whichever is shorter.

A Q-1 visitor may remain in status for a maximum period not to exceed fifteen months.

No. The dependents of Q-1 International Cultural Exchange Visitor cannot accompany or follow-to-join a Q-1. There is no nonimmigrant classification for the dependents of a Q-1.

Generally, a nonimmigrant employee can change employers. However, the new employer must follow the process for initially applying for a nonimmigrant employee.

No. Nonimmigrants in H-2A, H-2B, Q-1, or TN status must prove that they have a “nonimmigrant” or temporary intent at the time of filing for such status. In other words, they must intend to return to their foreign residence upon the expiration of their period of authorized stay.