The J-1
visa is a nonimmigrant
cultural exchange visa
issued by the U.S.
Department of State or US
Embassy in the foreign
countries. The primary
objective of the J-1 visa is
to enhance the skills of the
exchange visitor in their
academic or occupational
field through participation
in structured and guided
work based training and to
improve participants’
knowledge of American
techniques, methodologies
and expertise. USHTA is
authorized by the U.S.
Department of State as an
Exchange Visitor Program
Sponsor for two categories
of the J-1 visa:
Trainee/Intern and Summer
Work/Travel.
The
Trainee/Intern category
allows international
students and professionals
to receive practical
training, also referred to
as “on-the-job training”
with a U.S. employer for a
period not to exceed 12
months.
The
Summer Work/Travel
category allows
international post-secondary
students to work with a U.S.
host employer during their
summer semester break for a
period not to exceed four
months. USHTA's
authorization by the U.S.
Department of State permits
our organization to issue
the “Certificate of
Eligibility” (Form DS-2019)
to qualifying individuals
who want to participate in
either of these categories
on the J1 visa. The DS-2019
lists the program dates and
site of activity.
The "Q"
visa category is for
applicants visiting the
United States to participate
in international cultural
exchange programs designated
by the Attorney General for
the purpose of providing
practical training,
employment, and sharing of
the history, culture, and
traditions of the visitor's
country.
Similar
to the J visa, the Q visa is
oriented towards employment
programs. The maximum
validity of a Q petition is
15 months from the date of
approval. The applicant's
stay in the United States
may be extended by the
Immigration Service, but may
not exceed 15 months.
USHTA
will file a petition on
behalf of the cultural
applicant to the USCIS. Once
the petition approved, USHTA
will receive a copy of the
notice of action and must be
sent directly to the
cultural applicant to show
at US Embassy in the country
of nationality during the Q1
visa application interview.
