USA - FAQ's

Non Immigration Visa - Exchange Visitor VISA

Exchange Visitor Visa

There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States.

The J visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the U.S. Information Agency, and the Q visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The J exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences.

The Q international cultural exchange program is for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing of history, culture, and traditions of the participant's home country in the United States.
    

Requirements for an Exchange Visitor's Visa

Participants in the J exchange visitor program must have sufficient funds to cover all expenses, or funds must be provided by the sponsoring organization in the form of a scholarship or other stipend. Q exchange visitors will be paid by their employing sponsor.

The J visitor must have sufficient scholastic preparation to participate in the designated program and the Q exchange visitor must be 18 years old and be able to communicate effectively about the cultural attributes of his or her country.
Participants in the "Q" program must have the designated sponsoring organization file Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The INS will notify the sponsor on Form I-797 when the petition is approved. The applicants for exchange visitor visas should also be able to establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in India which they have no intention of abandoning and that they are coming to the United States for a temporary period.
    

The applicant must also submit the following
documents:

• completed application form

• passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.

• one colored photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37 x 37mm) for each applicant, showing a full face, without head covering, against a light background.

• for the J visa applicant, a completed Form IAP-66 from the sponsoring organizations, and for the Q applicant, a notice of approval, Form I-797.