Things to Know About the US Cultural Exchange (Q1) Visa Application Process
A US cultural exchange visa is a type of visa granted if you apply to take part in international cultural exchange programs supervised by the US Department of Homeland Security.
The international cultural exchange visa, also known as the American Q1 visa, is one of the types of temporary American work visas designed to enable you to share the history and culture of your home country through exchange programs while working in the United States. The Q1 visa application process begins with sponsoring employers who run cultural exchange programs in the United States and meet the necessary conditions applying to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is completed at the US foreign missions in Turkey.
Who is Granted a US Q1 Exchange Visa?
If you are going to work as part of a cultural exchange program with a Q1 visa in the United States, you must be at least 18 years old; be qualified to work in the service, labor or education fields and be able to communicate effectively to provide information about the cultural characteristics of your country.
The purpose of the Q nonimmigrant visa classification is to facilitate the sharing of international cultures. The Q1 visa is an employment-focused program, but the cultural element must also be an essential and integral part of your duties.
Cultural Exchange Program Criteria
The U.S. cultural exchange component must be designed to demonstrate or explain, in its entirety, the attitudes, customs, history, heritage, philosophy, traditions, and other cultural characteristics (art, literature, language) of the participant’s country of citizenship. U.S. cultural exchange activities must take place in a school, museum, business, or other institution that features a foreign culture as part of a structured program of instruction for the American public or a segment of the American public that shares a common cultural interest.
How to Apply for the USA Q1 Cultural Exchange Visa?
Follow the steps below to apply for the US Q1 cultural exchange visa.
- Obtain Form I-129 from the sponsoring employer in the United States.
- Complete the online US visa application form (DS-160).
- Prepare the necessary documents for the US Q1 visa.
- Pay the visa application fee and make an appointment at the foreign representative office.
- Complete the application with fingerprinting and visa interview at the appointment.
USCIS Application and Form I-129 Retrieval Process
The employer who will sponsor the US Q1 visa must apply to a USCIS office with a petition for a nonimmigrant work visa and receive approval for a temporary work permit.
The sponsor of the US Q1 visa must complete the I-129 form and submit documentation showing that he/she is eligible for sponsorship and meets the cultural exchange program requirements. The employer who receives work permit approval must send the original US I-129 form to you for your application.
America DS-160 Visa Form Filling Process
After receiving temporary work permit approval from the United States, you must first fill out the DS-160 visa form via ceac.state.gov to apply for a Q1 visa. You must select the “Cultural Exchange Visitor (Q1)” option in the travel purpose section of the DS-160 form, and then provide complete information such as work dates, accommodation information, and how travel expenses will be covered.
After completing the DS-160 form, upload your digital biometric photograph to the application system. In the final stage of the online application, create a barcoded DS-160 approval page and print it out.
Preparation of US Cultural Exchange (Q1) Visa Documents
To obtain a US cultural exchange (Q1) visa, please prepare the following application documents.
- Current passport (old passport and visas if any)
- Original US I-129 form
- DS-160 application form approval printout
- Biometric photo
- Identity card
- Supporting visa documents*
- Appointment confirmation email printout
* For US exchange visa applications, you are required to submit supporting US visa documents to prove your financial sufficiency and that you will return to your country of origin once the exchange program is completed .
US Visa Fee Payment and Appointment Process
The application fee for the 2024 U.S. international cultural exchange (Q1) visa is $210, and you must pay the application fee before making your visa appointment. After paying the Q1 visa fee at usvisa-info.com, make an appointment at the appropriate U.S. foreign mission with the receipt number on your Form I-129.
Q1 Visa Interview at US Consulate
In order to complete your US Q1 cultural exchange visa application, you must attend a visa interview at the US foreign mission (Ankara or Istanbul) where you made an appointment.
Go to the appointment in person, present the Q1 visa documents you have prepared, provide fingerprint registration, and then have a visa interview with a consular officer.
At the end of the interview, you will be notified whether your Q1 visa application has been approved or not. You can track your passport for approved visa applications via https://ceac.state.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions to our consultants about the US Q1 visa are provided below.
How Long Does a US International Exchange Visa Last?
The US international exchange visa is initially issued for a period of 15 months. After you complete your Q1 cultural exchange program, you have 30 days to leave the United States. You must spend 1 year outside the US before you can reapply for a US Q1 visa.
Can Family Members of a Q1 Visa Holder Travel to the US?
No, any spouse or child seeking to enter the United States must independently qualify for nonimmigrant classification.
What is the Difference Between US Cultural Exchange and Exchange Visitor Visas?
Q nonimmigrant classification is for participants in international cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of Homeland Security.
Designed to promote educational and cultural exchange between the United States and other countries, the J1 visa is for participants in exchange programs designated by the Department of State.