Lawyers.com > Understand Your Legal Issue > Immigration > Exchange Visitor (J & Q) Visa: Accredited Programs

Exchange programs are arrangements made by two or more countries allowing citizens to visit each other's country for similar purposes such as to study, teach or conduct research. The United States operates a number of exchange programs with other countries. Citizens who are accepted into exchange programs are issued a special class of visa.

Exchange Visitor Visas

Exchange visitor visas are nonimmigrant, temporary visas that allow foreign citizens to enter the US to participate in exchange programs. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs.

The first exchange visitor visa is the "J" visa, which is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the US Department of State. The second is the "Q" visa, which is for international cultural exchange programs designated by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

J Visa

Before you can apply at an American Embassy or Consulate for a J visa you must meet the requirements and be accepted for one of the exchange visitor program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents you need to get a J visa.

The J-1 visa is for exchange visitors coming to the US to study, work or train as part of an exchange program. If you're in a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, you're expected to return to your home country when the program's complete. Applicants for a J-1 may include students, scholars, trainees, teachers, professors, specialists, foreign medical graduates, international visitors, government visitors, camp counselors, au pairs and participants in summer travel or work programs.

Q Visa

The Q visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by the USCIS. The international cultural exchange program can provide practical training, employment and sharing of the history, culture and traditions of the participant's home country while she's in the US.

The Q-1 visa is for exchange visitors coming to the US to participate in international cultural-exchange programs. The training or employment must be approved in advance by the USCIS on the basis of a petition, Form I-129, filed by a US sponsor.

Program Accreditation

Sponsors administer individual exchange visitor programs. Sponsors are US organizations such as government agencies, academic institutions, educational and cultural organizations. The sponsor of the foreign exchange program must satisfy the following general criteria:

• The program must be an educational and cultural exchange program with clearly defined specific purposes and objectives
• The program must provide for at least five exchange visitors per year
• The program must provide cross-cultural activities for the exchange visitor
• The program must be reciprocal whenever possible
• All non-government sponsored programs must allow for a minimum stay in the US for any exchange visitor, except short-term scholars, of three weeks
• Applicants must provide information regarding the sponsoring organization's legal status, citizenship, accreditation and license
• Non-government applicants must show financial stability and that they can fulfill all of their financial duties related to the exchange visitor program, including the ability to provide return-trip airfare for exchange visitors to their home countries
• Applicants must show that the purpose of the program is not to fill staff vacancies and that the program won't adversely affect the US labor market
• Applicants must show that every exchange visitor will be adequately covered with insurance while participating in the exchange program
• Applicants should provide full details regarding the selection, placement, orientation, evaluation and supervision of the exchange visitors

Sponsors are required to comply with all local, state, federal and professional requirements applicable to the program category and to the activity for which they are designated. Requisite licenses and accreditation must be current at all times.

Questions for Your Attorney

• Can I travel outside the US while on my J-1 visa?
• Can I travel outside the US while on my Q-1 visa?
• What is the minimum number of exchange visitors an accredited program must have per year, and are there any age limits for participants?
• How difficult is it to have a program designated as accredited and to become a sponsor?

Related Resources on Lawyers.com^sm

- J & Q Visa FAQ
- Find Immigration Law lawyers in your area
- Visit the Immigration - U.S. Issues message board for more help

Related Web Links

- US Department of State - Visa Section
- United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS)
- Web sites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions