WORK VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISA TO THE UNITED STATES

Persons abroad who are at least 18 years old may enter the United States to participate in an international cultural exchange program designed to provide practical training, employment and the sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of the participant’s country of nationality.

The applicant must be seeking to participate in a cultural program that will be made available to a wide segment of the American public and will take place in a school, museum, business or other public establishment. The applicant has the opportunity to live and work temporarily in the United States and to teach the American public about the unique cultural components of his or her home country.

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISA (Q-1) BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Basic requirements include that the applicant be at least 18 years old at the time of the application, qualifies to perform the work, has the ability to communicate the cultural attributes of the country of nationality, and has been physically outside the United States for the year prior to entry if previously entered the US on a Q-1 visa. Applicants may also be required to meet certain health and character requirements.

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISA (Q-1) ENTITLEMENTS

The International Cultural Exchange Visa is approved for the length of the program, or for 15 months, whichever is shorter. A visa holder who has spent 15 months in the United States may not be issued a visa or be readmitted under the International Cultural Visa classification unless he or she has resided and been physically outside the United States for at least 1 year. Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States require a Visitor Visa.