J-1 Visa: Teacher Program
Hello!
Welcome back to J-1 Visa Consulting, where every week we provide helpful resources for everything J-1 Visa.
In our third post and upcoming weeks, I will review all the 15 different J-1 Visa programs.
Also, check out our Youtube video for additional content!
About The Program
The Teacher Work Travel Program allows foreign nationals to teach in primary and secondary schools in the U.S. for a maximum of 3 years. One or two-year extensions are possible.
Exchange teachers are able to participate in cross-cultural activities in school and the local community in which they will be teaching.
Foreign nationals must have a desire to learn about U.S. teaching methods.
Important Information
Cultural Component
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- Teachers must complete a cultural component activity annually which includes something for the classroom, school, or community, and also an event that includes U.S. student dialogue with schools or students from a different country.
Repeating Program
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- Repeating the program is allowed after a two-year period of residing outside of the U.S.
English Native Language
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- English must be the primary language spoken at school while teaching, not the foreign national’s native language.
International Travel
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- International travel is permitted while on the program but only for a duration of 30 days.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
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- Be proficient in English
- Have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in education or the academic subject they plan to teach
- Must meet the state-specific requirements and the home county’s requirements for teaching at primary and secondary schools
- Must be working as a teacher in their home country or have completed an advanced degree in the past 12 months and have 2 years of full-time teaching experience within the last 8 years.
If you need proof of English proficiency, we would recommend TEFL (one of the most widely accepted exams worldwide.)
Additional Information
Program dates vary by country, but students must have program dates within their academic calendar break. You must secure your housing before you arrive in the U.S. (Most sponsors help with this). The better your English, the better job opportunities you will have.
J-1 Visa Essentials
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- You must be a foreign national with supporting documentation of education and/or relevant work experience
- You must show proof of financial means to support yourself while in the U.S.
- You must not show immigrant intent
- You must not displace an American worker
I hope this article helped provided insight into the Teacher Program and the steps necessary. If you have any need for a one on one consultation, book through our website below.
See you next week!
