News
Many teachers abroad are interested in trying their hand at teaching in the U.S. but don’t know where to start with finding a school placement. There are J-1 Visa sponsors and recruiters who can help, but you can also do it yourself. Perhaps your budget doesn’t stretch to the additional cost of a full-placement option, or you have specific locations in mind to be near friends or family. That’s fine, though you must be knowledgeable enough to search for schools and positions to qualify for the J-1 Visa and be prepared for the process.
1. Get a Credential Evaluation.
The first thing you should do is obtain a credential evaluation report. This report compares your foreign education with U.S. diplomas, which helps determine if you qualify for a visa or state teaching permit. At a minimum, you need the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree (typically 4 years) in education or the subject you teach regardless of holding teacher status in your country or what education may qualify you in your country.
Download our Credential Evaluation Guide!
2. Understand the J-1 Visa requirements.
For teachers, it’s easy to assume that because you are a teacher in your country, you automatically qualify for the visa. You may be an amazing teacher, but you should definitely research the specific requirements of the visa, which include not only the education above but also things like 2 years of full-time teaching experience in your home country and currently teaching at the time of application to the sponsor. Many visa sponsors will have their own set of requirements as well.
For schools. All participating schools must be considered accredited. This means that either an independent agency in the U.S. or the state-level government has evaluated the school and determined that an individual school meets its standards for quality. As you go through the process, you should ask the school if they are accredited or seek guidance from a visa sponsor on whether the school can be considered accredited. Additionally, note that the position must be full-time and can only be for classroom teaching.
Download the Overview of CV’s Requirements
3. Make a Budget.
Who pays for the cost of visa sponsorship and relocation varies widely. Some schools have no budget and cannot offer to pay for any costs; some schools will pay for all of it. Before you begin applying for positions, you need to know what savings you can put towards visa costs so you can discuss this clearly with schools. There will be fees associated with applying for J-1 Visa sponsorship with organizations like Cultural Vistas, medical insurance coverage, fees for the visa itself, flights, and money to set up housing in the U.S. Those costs can add up quickly, and most sponsors will identify a minimum amount of savings you need to have since it’s our job to ensure you can afford to make the move and live in the U.S. The visa sponsorship, medical insurance, and visa could easily be $2,000-$5,000 plus flights and bringing funds to set up life here until you start getting paid.
Download our sample budget to see some estimates
4. Consider Timelines.
Most schools start the first term of the academic year in July-August. You’ll need time to go through the hiring and visa processes, which can take a few months combined. Some schools can post positions online in January- February, but some won’t be known until the summer as they determine vacancies. You can undoubtedly find positions throughout the spring. Schools with more extensive international teacher programs may even begin reviewing resumes in November for the following year starting in August. It is possible to apply for visa sponsorship and the visa in the summer, but you may very well miss the start of school, making your transition much more difficult.
5. Be Transparent About Your Needs for a Visa.
U.S. immigration is known to be a bit challenging both for employers and for applicants. Many schools have never done this before and schools may be hesitant. You must take the steps above so you are prepared to discuss the need for a visa. You should know how it works, what will be required from the school to participate, and your budget. We often see teachers who receive offers, but the schools are not well informed about the J-1 and end up withdrawing because they are unprepared for it. You should always suggest they reach out to us to learn more, and we are happy to talk through all of it with them and make them feel comfortable.
Researching will go a long way in making this dream a reality and creating a smooth process. It may sound complicated, but we are here to help you and your school at every step. Good luck in your search!