Q-2 Visa, Irish Peace Process Cultural & Training Program, Walsh Visa
In 1998, a cultural exchange and employment -training program enabled young people, between ages 18 to 35, that are residents of Northern Ireland or Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Sligo and Leitrim Counties in the Republic of Ireland to be hired by US companies to work in the following areas;
- hospitality and tourism,
- customer service,
- information and communications technology,
- pharmaceuticals,
- engineering,
- sales,
- marketing and promotion,
- furniture.
This special program was designed to create harmony and educate & train the youth of both countries as part of the peace process. It represented an American commitment to provide support for the peace process.
The program prohibited participants from adjusting their immigrant status, required a 2 year return residency and permitted a stay in the U.S. for up to 24 and later modified to 36 months. It has been extended on several occasions and may now be extinguished.
To qualify, applicants must have been residents of either country and the specifically listed counties, where applicable, for 18 months before the program started. Also, they must have been unemployed for 12 months prior to the starting the program and not held degrees from higher education institutions. Finally, they must be citizens of either the United kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Upon acceptance they would receive a Q-2 visa. Our assistance will assure your case is properly processed.
