Overview : Q-2 - Special Visa Program for Northern Ireland
Posted Apr 19, 2002

A U.S. work visa, which is perhaps lesser known, is the Q-2, established under the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998. Nicknamed the Walsh Visa Program, after Congressman James Walsh of New York, the Q-2 enables up to 12,000 young people from Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland, to obtain training in the U.S. that will help to develop the peacetime economy of that troubled region. Trainees have the opportunity to improve their job skills as well as learn conflict resolution methods. The training and internships target specific economic sectors most in need of skilled workers in Northern Ireland. Upon returning home, the participants also receive assistance in locating employment there.

The program is designed for workers between ages 18 and 35, who meet the following criteria. Category I is for those who have been unemployed for three months or more or have been laid off (could be less than three months ago) or received notification of a pending lay off. Category II is for a small number of currently employed people who have been nominated by their employers. Spouses and children are eligible to accompany the participants.

Employers must be pre-approved by the U.S. Department of State. The employer is required to: (a) provide job / training in one of the fields listed *below; (b) offer health insurance; (c) pay the same salary as earned by U.S. workers in the same or similar type of position with the employer; (d) promise not to petition for a change of status for the participant; (e) allow the program administrator to visit the worksite or otherwise verify that the rules are being followed; (f) notify program administrator if the Q-2 worker quits or is fired; (g) write a description of the work experience gained and allow the participant to see this information.

Targeted occupational sectors are: *hospitality and tourism; customer service; information and communications technologies; pharmaceuticals; engineering; sales, marketing and promotion; agriculture and horticulture diversification; food processing, and furniture. The trainee's U.S. job offer must be confirmed before his/her arrival. The program operates in selected "hub cities" in the U.S.

Current participants include about 240 Category I, and 20 Category II workers. Most of these trainees are in the hub cities of Washington DC and Colorado Springs (check "Hub cities" under "Program Information" on site to see others). Another 60 participants have come recently to Pittsburgh and Boston. Other hub cities are under consideration. This year, 2002, is the last year for new entries to the U.S. under the program. (Note that the current fiscal year ends September 30, 2002.) Since participants can stay for a maximum of three years once admitted, the Q-2 visa program expires September 30, 2005.

Those interested in more information can visit the Walsh Visa Program WebSite. Additional information is also available from the U.S. Embassy, Dublin WebSite. Many thanks also to Marcia Hoexter, Washington D.C. Hub Manager, for some of the information used in this article.