<div class="vt" data-vt-cat="work-visas" data-vt-code="Q-1"> <div class="vt-crumbs"><nav class="vt-wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span>›</span><a href="/work-visas">Work & business</a><span>›</span><span>Q-1</span></nav></div> <section class="vt-dhead"><div class="vt-wrap"> <div class="vt-badges"><span>Nonimmigrant</span><span>Cultural exchange</span><span>Employer petition</span><span>15-month maximum</span><span>No dependents category</span></div> <h1><span>Q-1</span> International Cultural Exchange Visitor</h1> <p class="vt-lede">For people 18 and older who work or train in an employer’s cultural exchange program, sharing their home country’s history, culture and traditions with the public, for up to 15 months.</p> <div class="vt-dmeta"><span>Last reviewed <strong>Oct 1, 2026</strong></span><span>Sources: USCIS · eCFR</span><a href="/corrections?page=/visa/q-1">Report an error</a></div> </div></section> <section class="vt-dbody"> <nav class="vt-jump" aria-label="On this page"><a href="#overview">Overview</a><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a><a href="#duration">Duration</a><a href="#fees">Fees</a><a href="#processing">Processing</a><a href="#steps">Steps</a><a href="#documents">Documents</a><a href="#dependents">Dependents</a><a href="#greencard">Green card</a><a href="#related">Related</a><a href="#faq">FAQ</a><a href="#sources">Sources</a><a href="#changes">Changes</a></nav> <nav class="vt-toc" aria-label="On this page"><div class="h">On this page</div><ul><li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li><li><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a></li><li><a href="#duration">Duration & extensions</a></li><li><a href="#fees">Fees</a></li><li><a href="#processing">Processing time</a></li><li><a href="#steps">Application steps</a></li><li><a href="#documents">Required documents</a></li><li><a href="#dependents">Dependents & family</a></li><li><a href="#greencard">Path to a green card</a></li><li><a href="#related">Related visas</a></li><li><a href="#faq">Common questions</a></li><li><a href="#sources">Official sources</a></li><li><a href="#changes">Recent changes</a></li></ul></nav> <article class="vt-art"> <div class="vt-glance"><h2>At a glance</h2><dl><div><dt>Maximum stay</dt><dd>Length of the program or 15 months, whichever is shorter</dd></div><div><dt>Minimum age</dt><dd>18 at the time of filing</dd></div><div><dt>After a Q-1 stay</dt><dd>1 year outside the U.S. before another Q-1</dd></div><div><dt>Petition</dt><dd>Form I-129 with Q-1 supplement; up to 25 participants</dd></div><div><dt>Wages</dt><dd>Comparable to local domestic workers</dd></div><div><dt>Dependents</dt><dd>No derivative category</dd></div></dl></div> <div class="vt-callout"><strong>The culture must be the core of the job.</strong> The program must take place where the public is exposed to the culture, such as a school, museum or business. The cultural component must be an essential part of the work. The work cannot be separate from it (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/section-214.2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8 CFR 214.2(q)(3)</a>).</div> <h2 id="overview" class="s">Overview</h2> <p class="b">The Q-1 classification is for participants in an international cultural exchange program approved by USCIS. The program provides practical training and employment and shares the history, culture and traditions of the participant’s country of nationality (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/q-cultural-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>). The program takes place in a school, museum, business or other setting open to the public, and the job itself is the vehicle for sharing the culture.</p> <p class="b">A qualified employer files a single Form I-129 that asks for both approval of the program and Q-1 classification for up to 25 named participants. The employer must be actively doing business in the U.S., name a qualified employee to run the program, pay wages and offer working conditions comparable to local workers, and show it can pay.</p> <p class="b">Admission lasts for the program or 15 months, whichever is shorter. Participants then have 30 days to make travel arrangements. A participant who has spent 15 months in Q-1 status must live and be physically present outside the U.S. for the immediately preceding year before returning in Q-1 status.</p> <h2 id="qualify" class="s">Who qualifies</h2> <h3 class="s">The participant must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Be at least 18 when the petition is filed</li><li>Be qualified for the work or training described</li><li>Be able to communicate effectively about the culture of their country of nationality</li><li>Have a foreign residence they do not intend to abandon</li><li>If previously in Q-1 status, have lived and been physically present outside the U.S. for the immediately preceding year</li></ul> <h3 class="s">The program must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Be accessible to the public: held in a school, museum, business or similar place, not a private home or isolated business setting</li><li>Have a structured cultural component that explains the attitudes, customs, history, heritage, philosophy or traditions of the participant’s country</li><li>Have a work component that serves as the vehicle for the cultural component</li></ul> <h2 id="duration" class="s">Duration & extensions</h2> <table class="vt-kv"><tbody><tr><th scope="row">Admission</th><td>Length of the approved program or 15 months, whichever is shorter (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/section-214.2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8 CFR 214.2(q)(2)</a>)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Departure period</th><td>Petition validity includes 30 extra days for travel arrangements</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Changing employers</th><td>New employer must file; total Q-1 time stays capped at 15 months</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Returning in Q-1</th><td>Only after 1 year of residence and physical presence abroad</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Extensions beyond 15 months</th><td>Not available</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="fees" class="s">Fees</h2> <p class="vt-feesintro">Amounts are from the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS fee schedule (G-1055, edition 10/01/26)</a>.</p> <div class="vt-scroll"><table class="vt-fees"><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th class="amt">Amount</th><th>Who pays</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>Form I-129 (Q petition, up to 25 beneficiaries)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1,015</a></td><td>Employer</td><td>Small employers and nonprofits pay $510.</td></tr> <tr><td>Asylum Program Fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$600</a></td><td>Employer</td><td>$300 for small employers; $0 for nonprofits.</td></tr> <tr><td>Premium processing (optional)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$2,965</a></td><td>Employer</td><td>Q-1 is premium-eligible.</td></tr> <tr><td>Visa application fee (Q)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$205</a></td><td>Participant</td><td>Petition-based category; a reciprocity fee may apply.</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <p class="vt-foot">Public Law 119-21 (signed July 4, 2025), section 100007, requires a non-waivable <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ21/html/PLAW-119publ21.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visa Integrity Fee</a> of at least $250 when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. As of October 1, 2026, the State Department’s fee schedule (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">22 CFR 22.1</a>) does not list it, and DHS said on <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/22/2025-13738/uscis-immigration-fees-required-by-hr-1-reconciliation-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">July 22, 2025</a> that it “will be implemented in a future publication.”</p> <h2 id="processing" class="s">Processing time</h2> <dl class="vt-cards"><div><dt>Premium processing</dt><dd>15 business days</dd><dd class="n">Q-1 is on the USCIS list of <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">premium-eligible I-129 classifications</a>.</dd></div></dl> <p class="b">Regular processing times vary; check <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS processing times</a>. After approval, participants apply for a visa at the consulate named in the petition. Visa-exempt participants apply at the port of entry named in the petition.</p> <h2 id="steps" class="s">Application steps</h2> <ol class="vt-steps"><li><span class="num">1</span><div><div class="tt">Design the program</div><div class="tx">Set up a public-facing program in which the work itself presents the participants’ national culture.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">2</span><div><div class="tt">File Form I-129</div><div class="tx">File the petition with the Q-1 supplement for up to 25 named participants. Include evidence of the program, the designated representative, wages and ability to pay.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">3</span><div><div class="tt">Receive approval</div><div class="tx">USCIS notifies the employer and the consulates (or ports of entry) named in the petition.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">4</span><div><div class="tt">Apply for the visa</div><div class="tx">Each participant files a DS-160, pays the $205 fee and interviews at the consulate.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">5</span><div><div class="tt">Participate and depart</div><div class="tx">Participants work in the program for up to 15 months and leave within the 30 days built into the petition.</div></div></li></ol> <h2 id="documents" class="s">Required documents</h2> <div class="vt-docs"><div><h3>From the employer</h3><ul><li><span>Description of the cultural exchange program, including its cultural and work components</span></li><li><span>Designation of the employee who will administer the program</span></li><li><span>Evidence of doing business in the U.S. and the ability to pay</span></li><li><span>Wage certification and each participant’s date of birth, nationality, education, position title and duties</span></li></ul></div><div><h3>From the participant</h3><ul><li><span>Passport, DS-160 confirmation and fee receipt</span></li><li><span>Evidence of qualifications and the ability to share the home culture</span></li></ul></div></div> <h2 id="dependents" class="s">Dependents & family</h2> <p class="b">Q-1 has no category for a spouse or children (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/q-cultural-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS</a>). Family members need their own visa, such as a B-2 for a visit, if they qualify.</p> <h2 id="greencard" class="s">Path to a green card</h2> <p class="b">Q-1 requires a foreign residence the participant does not intend to abandon, so it is not a route to a green card.</p> <p class="b">Anyone seeking permanent residence later needs a separate immigrant petition and must meet its requirements on their own.</p> <h2 id="related" class="s">Related visas</h2> <div class="vt-rel"><a href="/visa/j-1"><div class="c">J-1</div><div class="n">Exchange visitor</div><div class="tx">State Department exchange programs, including trainees and interns.</div></a><a href="/visa/h-3"><div class="c">H-3</div><div class="n">Trainee</div><div class="tx">Training not available in the home country.</div></a><a href="/visa/p-3"><div class="c">P-3</div><div class="n">Culturally unique artist</div><div class="tx">Performers of culturally unique art.</div></a><a href="/visa/h-2b"><div class="c">H-2B</div><div class="n">Seasonal non-agricultural worker</div><div class="tx">Seasonal jobs without a cultural component.</div></a></div> <h2 id="faq" class="s">Common questions</h2> <div class="vt-faq"><details><summary>How long can a Q-1 participant stay?</summary><p>For the length of the approved program or 15 months, whichever is shorter, plus a 30-day departure allowance. Q-1 cannot be extended past 15 months.</p></details><details><summary>Can a Q-1 participant come back?</summary><p>Yes, but only after living and being physically present outside the U.S. for the immediately preceding year. Brief visits during that year do not break it.</p></details><details><summary>Can family members come on Q-1?</summary><p>No. There is no dependent classification for spouses or children of Q-1 participants.</p></details><details><summary>Does the Q-1 participant get paid?</summary><p>Yes. The employer must offer wages and working conditions comparable to those of local workers in similar jobs.</p></details></div> <h2 id="sources" class="s">Official sources</h2> <ul class="vt-src"><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/q-cultural-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Q-1 International Cultural Exchange</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/section-214.2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>eCFR</strong> · 8 CFR 214.2(q) — Cultural visitors</span><span>ecfr.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Fee Schedule (G-1055)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · How Do I Request Premium Processing?</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>eCFR</strong> · 22 CFR 22.1 — Consular fee schedule</span><span>ecfr.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Federal Register</strong> · Proclamation 10998</span><span>federalregister.gov ↗</span></a></li></ul> <h2 id="changes" class="s">Recent changes</h2> <ul class="vt-chg"><li><span class="d">Sep 18, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Online presence review covers Q applicants.</strong> The State Department confirmed that its expanded screening, including a review of applicants’ online presence, already applies to Q international cultural exchange applicants, and extended it to I, TN and TD applicants from Oct. 1, 2026. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-visa-applicants.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Mar 1, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Premium processing fees adjusted for inflation.</strong> A final rule published January 12, 2026 (91 FR 1059) raised premium processing fees effective March 1, 2026; the I-907 fee for Q petitions is now $2,965. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00321/adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 1, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10998 expands entry restrictions.</strong> Signed December 16, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, it continues the June 2025 restrictions and adds more countries. Nationals of fully restricted countries are barred from entry on any visa unless an exception applies; for partially restricted countries, entry on B, F, M and J visas is suspended and consular officers are told to shorten the validity of other nonimmigrant visas, including Q-1. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Oct 1, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Narrower visa interview waivers.</strong> Since October 1, 2025, nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants need an in-person interview. The exceptions are mainly diplomatic and official visa classes and certain B-1/B-2 and H-2A renewals. Consular officers can still require an interview in any case. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/interview-waiver-update-sept-18-2025.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jul 4, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Visa Integrity Fee enacted.</strong> Public Law 119-21 created a non-waivable Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250, due when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. As of October 1, 2026, the State Department’s fee schedule does not list it. <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ21/html/PLAW-119publ21.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 9, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10949 travel restrictions take effect.</strong> Signed June 4, 2025, it fully or partially suspended entry for nationals of 19 countries, effective June 9, 2025. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/10/2025-10669/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Apr 1, 2024</span><div class="x"><strong>New USCIS fee schedule and Asylum Program Fee.</strong> The USCIS fee rule published January 31, 2024 took effect April 1, 2024. It set separate Form I-129 fees for each classification, created reduced fees for small employers and nonprofits, and added an Asylum Program Fee to I-129 petitions. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/31/2024-01427/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule-and-changes-to-certain-other-immigration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li></ul> <div class="vt-disc">This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? <a href="/corrections?page=/visa/q-1">Tell us</a>.</div> </article></section></div> <script type="application/ld+json">[{"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://visatypes.com/"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Work & business", "item": "https://visatypes.com/work-visas"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Q-1", "item": "https://visatypes.com/visa/q-1"}]}, {"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "How long can a Q-1 participant stay?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "For the length of the approved program or 15 months, whichever is shorter, plus a 30-day departure allowance. 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