Walsh Visa Program Description

The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program is a groundbreaking cultural exchange and employment-training program that enables young people from disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland to live and work in the United States for up to 36 months.

The Program offers eligible men and women access to a non-immigrant, Q-2 work visa, providing them a wide range of employment and vocational training opportunities in selected hub cities in the U.S. In addition, the program offers conflict resolution training and a variety of activities to involve participants in our diverse society. The goal of the Program is to help these men and women develop and enhance their personal and professional skills and then return to their respective countries as productive and skilled members of the workforce.

The Program is referred to as the Walsh Visa Program in honor of Congressman James Walsh of New York who introduced and sponsored the legislation that became Public Law 105-319 and is the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998. Mr. Walsh's vision for the Program is best expressed in his own words:

“The purpose of the legislation is twofold. On an economic level, we want to nurture prosperity which leads to tolerance. On a social level, we want to share our multi-cultural experience and the lessons we've learned. This visa represents an American commitment to provide support for the peace process and all that it promises for the people of Ireland and Northern Ireland.”

The U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of European Affairs, is charged with overall authority for the Program. The DOS provides management direction, formulates policies and procedures, and coordinates implementation with representatives of the governments of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The DOS selected Northrop Grumman to nationally implement and administer the Program.

As non-immigrants working in the U.S., Q-2 visa holders are subject to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Title 8 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines the terms and conditions of the Q-2 visa as one which is employer-specific. Participants may only be employed by the program-approved employer named on their certifying documentation.

Phase One or the pilot phase of the Program was initiated and implemented during 2000. That first year, over 350 program participants were welcomed into Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs. 2001 marked the beginning of Phase Two. Three new hubs, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Syracuse, were added during this phase and the program was expanded to include a new category of Q-2 visa holders. 170 participants arrived in 2001, followed by another 333 in 2002. During 2003, 380 new participants entered the program.

Congress amended the original law in 2002 and under Public Law 107-234, extended the Walsh Visa Program through September 2003. New pending legislation is currently being reviewed by Congress for an additional extension and amendments to the Program. H.R. 2655 passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is under review in the Senate. Senate bill 1479 mirrors the House bill and is under consideration in committee. There will be changes to the existing program should the legislation pass. As of September 30, 2003, there has been a suspension of all new applications. If the program is extended, a third phase of programming will begin. At the present, the program continues to support participants who are working and living in the U.S.

There are two classifications of Participants in the Walsh Visa Program: Category 1 and Category 2.

Category 1 Participants comprise the majority of the program population. These are individuals who have been unemployed for three months and are recruited by government training and employment programs in their home countries.

Category 2 Participants are nominated by their employer or university. Employer-to-Employer Exchanges: The participant is employed in the home country and the Irish/Northern Irish employer nominates the employee to participate in the Program with a corresponding U.S. employer.

Interns: The participant is required by their University to complete an internship for graduation. The school nominates the student to participate in the Program with a specific U.S. employer for course credit.

Walsh Visa Staff Contact Information:
Toll Free Number: 877-925-7484
Email: walshvisa@ngc.com
Address: 1831 Wiehle Avenue, Suite 100
Reston, VA 20190