What is cultural exchange program and hot to apply for Q-1 visa? When exploring your different options and programs to visit the United States of America as a non-immigrant, you have the option to apply for a diverse type of visas such as B1/B2 Visa, F-1 Visa, J-1 Visa, P-Visa, and many other types. Therefore, if you are interested in gaining a unique cultural experience that will allow you to live in US culture. Then, the Q-1 Visa is the perfect choice for you to apply.
The Q-1 visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa that allows its beneficiaries to enter the US and take part in a predetermined cultural exchange program, which purpose is to provide practical training and employment while sharing the culture and traditions of their country of nationality.
Cultural Exchange Program (Q-1 Visa) Requirements
There are some requirements an applicant must fulfill to be considered for a Q-1 visa. This visa can allow the applicant to stay in the US for up to 15 months. The requirements are the following:
- To be at least 18 years old and able to communicate effectively in English to share your country’s culture.
- To be qualified and ready to give the practical training required by the specific cultural exchange program.
- In certain conditions, you need to have resided and been physically present outside of the United States for the immediate prior year. The condition only applies if you have been in a Q-1 or J-1 visa before.
To apply your sponsoring organization must file Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the USCIS office specified in the form with the following list of instructions:
Applying for Q-1 Visa (cultural exchange program)
The employer must submit evidence that has a well-prepared program designed to fulfill the international cultural exchange program. In other words, the employer must submit evidence which illustrates that the program activities take place in a public setting where the sharing of culture can be achieved through direct interaction with the American people.
Additionally, the employer of the Q-1 visa holder must serve as the liaison with USCIS. In general, it must be doing business activities in the United States and willing to offer the alien a salary and working conditions comparable to local workers similarly employed.
We understand that applying to cultural exchange program, and all the requirements could be a little complicated to assimilate. Therefore, Sethi and Mazaheri are here to help you out with your application to a Q-1 Visa. In the past, we have helped thousands of people and sponsoring companies with the application processes for Q-1 Visa, J-1 Visa, and other visa categories. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, you will always be able to reach out online, and we will prepare the best plan to help you out.
by Prozco®