Q Visas are issued pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(Q), 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(15)(Q); 8 C.F.R. §214.2(q); 57 FR 55056 (Nov. 24, 1992); 22 C.F.R. §41.57.
Q visas are issued for participants in an international cultural exchange program designated by the Attorney General for the purpose of providing practical training, employment and the sharing of the history, culture and traditions of the country of the person's nationality. The program applies to an employer who has employees, not simply an agent or office, and who provides on a regular, continuous, systematic basis, goods and/or services (including lectures, seminars and other types of cultural programs). 8 C.F.R. §214.2(q)(1).
Conditions of Q Visa:
Cannot exceed 15 months.
Beneficiary must have foreign residence.
Beneficiary must be employed under the same wages and working conditions as U.S. workers.
LIMITATION ON ADMISSION: If previously admitted as a Q-1, cannot be readmitted under the same status until physically outside the U.S. for one year. Brief trips to U.S. under B-1/B-2 do not break the continuity of the one-year foreign residence requirement. 8 C.F.R. §214.2(q)(2)(ii).
Q-2 VISAS for Nonimmigrants from Northern Ireland were previously issued under INA §101(a)(15)(Q)(ii), 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(15)(Q)(ii); The Irish Peace Process Cultural & Training Program Act of 1998 (PL 105-319) as amended by PL 107-234 and PL 108-449 had a sunset provision of Oct. 1, 2008.
IT IS NOW NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
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To schedule an appointment with Los Angeles visa attorney Artem M. Sarian, contact Sarian Law Group, APLC. We have offices in Glendale and Los Angeles, California, to serve you.
