Can I do multiple J-1 Teacher programs?

Yes!  It is possible to come to the U.S. as a J-1 Teacher and complete up to 5 years, go back to your home country, and return to the U.S. on a new J-1 Teaching program.  However, you must wait two years after one J-1 Teacher program before you can start a new J-1 Teacher program. 

Why do I have to wait two years?  I’m not subject to the two-year rule. 

This waiting period is specific to the teacher category of the J-1 Visa regulations.  It is not the same as what you may know as the two-year home residency requirement.  This is often confusing for teachers and misunderstood.   

The two-year home country physical presence requirement (Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), if applied to your J-1, simply means you cannot apply for an immigrant visa (green card or fiancé), or an H or L Visa without waiting two years abroad.  It has no bearing on your eligibility for another J-1 Visa.  You would typically find a statement on your visa showing whether or not you are subject. 

The J-1 Visa regulations for the teacher category specifically state, as part of the eligibility requirements, that you cannot start a new J-1 Teacher program until you have resided outside the U.S. for two years following your most recent J-1 Teacher program.  This is true no matter how long your previous J-1 Teacher program lasted, whether 1 year or 5 years, or which sponsoring organization you used.  This does not apply if you completed a different J-1 program previously, such as Work and Travel or Au Pair, and now wish to apply for Teacher.  You should also note that you cannot switch visa sponsors during the teacher program.  So, you cannot do one year with sponsor A and get a new job and start a new program with sponsor B without waiting two years. 

How can I remain eligible to return to the U.S.? 

We see applicants who finished a J-1 Teacher program return home and already know they would like to complete another program in the U.S.  They had such a wonderful experience and wish to keep learning about the U.S. and perfecting their English, or perhaps they couldn’t maximize the full 5-year option and only stayed for two years.  It’s important to know how to remain eligible for the program so that you can apply again.  The same eligibility requirements apply to subsequent J-1 Teacher programs, so you must meet them when you submit your next application.  Although, depending on the position and state licensing requirements, your eligibility may change. 

Do I have to go back to teaching in my country?

One of the main requirements for J-1 Teacher eligibility is that you are teaching in your home country when you submit an application to the sponsor.  So, if you’re not sure you want to go back into a classroom position when you return home, you may want to rethink that plan.  If you decide to do something unrelated to education, provide private tutoring, or teach online English classes, you may not actually qualify for the program next time you apply.  Yes, you still have your previous education and work experience, but generally, you should be teaching in primary or secondary schools when you apply for sponsorship.  Each sponsor may have some specific guidelines around this, but our advice and requirement is teaching full-time in primary or secondary schools when you next apply.  Plus, this will give you a chance to really share and implement what you learned in the U.S. and see how it impacts your teaching and what more you want to learn.  

What if I want to go back to school instead of teaching?

The one exception to the rule above on currently teaching when you apply is for those who decide to obtain an advanced degree.  Perhaps after finishing the J-1 program, it’s the perfect time to go back to school.  Maybe you found a new focus you want to explore or obtain certain certifications so that you can take on new types of positions.  This option applies to obtaining advanced degrees beyond a U.S. bachelor’s degree in education or the subject you teach.  Clear examples are a master’s or PhD in education or pedagogy, but also your field, such as math education or special education.  Other short certificates or non-university-based programs are not likely to be accepted by a visa sponsor for this exception. You must either complete such an advanced degree within 12 months of your application to the sponsor or be enrolled in and complete such a degree within 12 months.   

Check out our website for more details on the overall eligibility requirements for our J-1 Teacher sponsorship.