Frequently Asked Questions

---

The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs. With a J1 Visa, foreign teachers can have the opportunity to teach in accredited primary and secondary schools in the US. 

No. You need a designated J1 Sponsor from the Department of State in order to teach.  Foreign nationals must be sponsored by a state designated J1 Sponsor. 

•  Meet the qualifications for teaching in primary or secondary schools in your country of nationality or last legal residence;
• Be working as a teacher in your home country or country of legal residence at the time of application, or, if not working as a teacher, otherwise meet the eligibility qualifications and (a) have recently (within 12 months of application) completed an advanced degree and (b) have two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years;
• Have a degree-equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in either education or the academic subject field in which they intend to teach;
• Have a minimum of two years (24 months) of teaching or related professional experience;
• Satisfy the standards of the U.S. state in which you will teach;
• Be of good reputation and character;
• Be seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of full-time teaching as a teacher of record at a primary (including pre-kindergarten) or secondary accredited educational institution in the United States (pre-kindergarten teachers must teach full-time, and at the pre-kindergarten level, may teach only language immersion at an accredited host school);
• Possess sufficient proficiency in the English language.

J1 Visa for teachers may have a duration of up to 3 years.  It can be extended but the total duration should not exceed 5 years. 

Upon conclusion of your J1 status, you have to go back to your home country of residence and wait a period of 2 years before applying back. 

We do not charge any fee for the sponsorship program.  However, there are certain personal expenses that you are responsible for like living expenses, airfare, passports, degree evaluation and the like.