Our Programs
Offering educators from around the globe opportunities to teach in the United States through the BridgeUSA Teacher program. Enriching schools and communities across the U.S. with talented teachers, diverse voices and perspectives and innovative approaches.
As a BridgeUSA sponsor, Cultural Vistas is responsible for administering exchange programs in compliance with the U.S. Department of State’s public diplomacy goals and visa requirements. Cultural Vistas can offer visa sponsorship to schools that already have candidates in mind or assistance to schools that are seeking international candidates. If you’re a teacher and you already found a job, we can assist with the visa sponsorship.
U.S. Schools: Contact Us to learn more or start an application! Teachers should start programs for the fall semester.
Foreign Teachers:
Once individuals secure a teaching position or host schools identify individuals they wish to bring to the United States, Cultural Vistas evaluates the prospective teacher and host school for eligibility. Upon program approval, our staff issues the relevant government form (DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility) allowing teachers to apply for the J-1 Visa. Our staff provide an array of resources and information to support both host schools and teachers throughout the duration of the exchange program.
Check our guide for recruiting and host international teachers!
*Please download the complete set of detailed requirements!
Cultural Vistas is able to sponsor teachers in public schools only in certain states. Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Kentucky; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Dakota; Tennessee, Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Wisconsin; Wyoming; Washington, D.C. We can always apply for new ones! Just let us know.
Note: These are costs strictly related to obtaining the visa and to Cultural Vistas’ services. It is critical that teachers assess all expected costs for the program including the non-immigrant visa fee of $185, rent, food, transportation, flight, cell phone, TV/internet, electricity, funds for emergencies, and medical costs among others. Refer to this budgeting article for assistance in estimating these costs and planning for your arrival and the sample below. We recommend bringing at least $3,000 with you for initial expenses. Teachers may not be paid for a month upon arrival due to various requirements by the school.
| First Year | $1,750 |
| Second Year | $950 |
| Third Year | $950 |
| SEVIS Fee (DHS): The SEVIS I-901 fee is a federally mandated fee that supports SEVIS, an automated system that tracks exchange visitors’ activity in the United States. Cultural Vistas pays the fee on behalf of the exchange visitor and issues a copy of the receipt. | $220 |
| Health Insurance (Individual) | $720-1440/yr/person |
| Year 4-5 Sponsorship | $2,100 |
| U.S. Department of State Extension Fee | $367 |
| Recruitment Fee (paid by school) | $3,000/teacher |
| Medical Evacuation* | $84/yr/person |
| Dependent Processing: This is the application fee for issuance of the DS-2019 Form for dependents of J-1 applicants and does not provide a work permit. | $750 (regardless of number of dependents) |
| DS-2019 Replacement: This fee applies whenever we need to replace or amend your DS-2019 Form. | $100 |
| Program Amendment: This fee applies when there are significant changes to your program requiring a new evaluation and documentation update, including but not limited to a change in school assignment. | $750 |
| Expedite Fee: All complete applications are processed in 4 – 6 weeks. Need it done faster? Our expedited service guarantees that a completed application is evaluated within 10 business days. | $1,350 |
| CV Insurance Plan Options | $720-1440/yr/person |
| Travel Validation (for permission to travel abroad): All participants who plan to travel outside of the United States (not required for travel to Canada or Mexico) during their programs must send their DS-2019 Form to Cultural Vistas to be approved for travel. | $50 |
| New Host School Registration: All companies who have either never worked with Cultural Vistas or who have not yet completed a successful program through our organization within the past three (3) years will be required to pay a one-time registration fee. This fee covers the research Cultural Vistas does to ensure your company is reputable; to make certain your company meets the standards that are outlined by U.S. Department of State for all J-1 Visa host companies; and to guarantee that you understand your responsibilities as a U.S. host company to a J-1 Visa holder (this includes training, supervision, evaluations to be completed by supervisor, etc). Once your company has hosted a successful program, your registration is considered complete and you will not have to pay the new company fee again. This fee is non-refundable and cannot be paid by the participant. | $300 |
Note: The fees listed here may not include fees assessed by Cultural Vistas’ partners with whom applicants may contract for additional services. These fees can range from $1,000 to upwards of $5,000 depending on the specific services they offer which could include school placement, obtaining a state license, background checks, housing, initial transportation, or other training.
Please review the information below on refunds.
| Initial Sponsorship | Withdrawn before approval or rejected by CV | Cancelled after approval |
|---|---|---|
| Administration fee | $500 | $0 |
| SEVIS fee | $220 | $0 |
| Health Insurance fee* | 100% (minus admin fee) | varies |
| New Employer Fee** | $0 | $0 |
| Expedited Processing Fee** | $0 | $0 |
| J-2 Visa Fee | $750 | $0 |
| Program Renewal fees | Rejected by Cultural Vistas/Cancelled before approval | Withdrawn after approval |
| Year 1 and Year 2 | $350 | $0 |
| Extension Beyond fees | Rejected by Cultural Vistas or DOS/Withdrawn before approval or submission to DOS | Withdrawn after approval |
| Extension Beyond Year 3 | $800 | $0 |
| DOS Extension fee (year 3) | $367 | $0 |
| Recruitment fee (CV sources candidates for schools) | School client cancels offer after acceptance | Teacher withdraws after accepting offer |
| Before sponsorship approval | 50% | 50% |
| After sponsorship approval | $0 | $0 |
| Other Post-Arrival fees | After service completed |
| Annual Insurance | $0 after school year starts, Aug. 1 |
| J2 Dependents after J1 arrival | $0 |
| Program Amendment | $0 |
| DS-2019 Replacement | $0 |
| Travel Validation | $0 |
| Non- CV Visa Related Costs | Fee |
|---|---|
| Credential Evaluation Fees (for your diploma) | $100-300 |
| Translation of references or diploma (as needed) | $100-300 |
| Consular Visit Fee (approximate cost in dollars- per person) | $185 |
| International Travel Expenses | $500-2000 |
| Third Party Recruiting organization | $300 (WorkUSE) $1750 (Miss Berni) $1300-2000 (WWCE) $4500 (Colorado Learning) |
| Post-Arrival Costs | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal background checks (if applicable) | $50-150 |
| Teacher Licensing Application/Fees (if applicable) | $50-200 |
| Teacher Licensing Exam Fees (if applicable and dependent on number of exams) | $50-300 |
| Initial short-term housing | $100-300/night |
| Paycheck Deductions | Fee |
|---|---|
| Federal taxes* | 10-15% |
| State taxes* | 0-10% |
| FICA taxes (Social Security/Medicare)* | 0-8% |
| Union dues (if applicable) | $50-75 |
| Retirement deductions (if applicable) | 0-15% |
| School Insurance (single vs. dependents) | $50-1000 |
| Paycheck Deductions | Fee |
|---|---|
| Rent (location dependent) | $700-2000 |
| Transportation (public vs. buying a car) | $100-500 |
| Utilities (not in rent such as electric, water, internet/cable) | $100-400 |
| Cell phone | $50-100 |
| Food/ Groceries/ Household items | $200-400 |
| Entertainment/ Other | $100 |
| School and/or Child Care (after school vs. full day care) | $500-1500 |
To help you estimate how much you should budget for the different fields, here are some websites with cost of living information. Please feel free to conduct additional online research for price estimates in the area you will be living.
Rent.com – Search a city and you will see listings. Up in the corner, you will see MARKET TRENDS. Click on this to see good data on average costs and breakdowns by neighborhoods.
Breaks down costs by location and family size across housing, transportation, taxes and more.
Compares costs of living between cities.
There are many requirements and considerations when deciding to participate in these programs and for a teacher to relocate to the U.S. We encourage both teachers and schools to discuss and prepare for the needs of the teacher in this transition to ensure the most successful experience. Below are some key considerations but download our guides for more details.
Recruiting International Teachers Hosting International Teachers Are You Ready for TEACH USA? Expectations as a J-1 Teacher
*Schools that utilize recruitment partner organizations should contact Cultural Vistas. We are not permitted to work with unauthorized recruiters.
Participants of the J-1 teacher exchange programs play an invaluable role in facilitating intercultural learning. As part of BridgeUSA, international teachers are expected to facilitate at least two opportunities for learning between their home country and the United States.
Teachers must report to Cultural Vistas annually on the details and impact of these activities. Host schools are expected to actively participate in and support teachers in these activities in order to amplify their impact on their students and communities.
Schools and teachers should be interviewing and arranging offers in the Spring! Contact us before you begin our application process to see if we have spots left.
Teachers should start their program at the beginning of the academic year in August or September.
Step 1
We encourage you to apply as soon as you are able and to plan the entire process to obtain the J-1 visa, from our application process to the embassy interview, to take 2-3 months. Either party may start the application process.
Teachers, before you begin the application, Are you ready for Teach USA?
Teachers: Please submit an online individual application request only if you have received a job offer from a U.S. school and are interested in working with CV*. We will review your request and send you instructions and login details to our portal within 2 business days. Be prepared to submit official documentation that substantiates your education and employment qualifications.Check out what type of documentation you’ll need to submit.
*If you have questions before starting, please contact us first!
Host Schools: Please download and submit a Host School Application to request sponsorship for teachers you are ready to hire. A staff member will reach out to with further instructions and schedule a call. Haven’t found your candidates yet? Let us know how we can assist!
Step 2
Once you submit your application, Cultural Vistas evaluates your information and issues a sponsorship decision within approximately 4-6 weeks. During this step, a Cultural Vistas staff member may reach out with additional questions, to schedule a phone interview, or request additional documentation. Payment of Cultural Vistas fees is due prior to a decision.
Step 3
If we are able to approve your program, we will issue the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility which is required for the participant to schedule the visa interview appointment. It is then emailed to the participant along with other important arrival documents. At this time, applicants are also e-mailed instructions on how to apply for the J-1 Visa in their home country and our orientation materials.
Step 4
After making an appointment online, applicants attend an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy with the original DS-2019.* Visa approval and issuance is at the discretion of the consular official. Visa appointment and processing wait times vary by city and time of year. On average, this process takes 2-4 weeks or longer in some cases. Up-to-date information can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.
*Canadian citizens are exempt form this step and may enter the U.S. with the DS-2019.
There are 14 categories of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, and “teacher” is one of them. This visa is used to allow international teachers with at least two years of experience to teach in an accredited primary or secondary school in the United States for up to 36 months. After this period, teachers may be eligible for a 12 or 24-month program extension.
This is a legal document which is issued by Cultural Vistas as a designated sponsor of the J-1 Visa under the authority of the U.S. Department of State.
The Certificate of Eligibility is the document that entitles and authorizes a foreign national to apply for the J-1 Visa necessary to take a temporary, paid teaching position in the United States through the Exchange Visitor program.
The Certificate of Eligibility is null and void if the exchange visitor does not obtain a J-1 Visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for entry to the United States. The application for the J-1 Visa can only be made after the Certificate of Eligibility has been issued, and application must be made through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas (preferably in the applicant’s home country).
Cultural Vistas has been designated as an “Exchange Visitor Program” sponsor by the U.S. Department of State, which means that Cultural Vistas is responsible for reviewing the participant and host organization applications to ensure that they meet the criteria established by the U.S. government for this visa. Cultural Vistas is also responsible for acting as a resource and support system for visitors to ensure they have a safe and positive exchange experiences.
Unlike other visas, Cultural Vistas acts as the legal visa sponsor of the participant for the duration of the program in the United States. The participant is the individual who is coming to the U.S. on an Exchange Visitor Program and the host organization is the school district that will be providing a teaching position to the participant.
Participants must contact Cultural Vistas here to confirm the date of arrival, and must provide Cultural Vistas with the current residential address, telephone number and e‐mail address within 5 days of arrival.
Cultural Vistas must confirm arrival with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within 30 days of the date listed in line #3 of the Form DS‐2019, otherwise Cultural Vistas will be forced to withdraw sponsorship.
Participants who do not have a Social Security number will need to apply for one in order to be added to the host employer’s payroll. See the Social Security website for information about applying for a Social Security card. Make sure to bring proof of identity and the Form DS‐2019.
On the first day of the J‐1 program, the participants will be asked to complete an I‐9 form and W‐4 form in order to enroll in the host employer’s payroll. Make sure to bring the Form DS‐2019. Your I‐94 can be obtained on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. Please see instructions therein for tax information.
Participants should always carry their I‐94 record and the Form DS‐2019. The I‐94 is the document that confirms participants have legally entered the United States. The Form DS‐2019 is the document that confirms that participants are in the United States legally on a J‐1 Visa, and entitled to be at a workplace on a J‐1 program. Therefore, it is important that participants have both documents with them at all times so they can prove they are legally in the United States on a J‐1 Visa. We also recommend putting copies on your phone as well.
We are here to support you and the teacher throughout the year so do not hesitate to contact us. You should always contact us immediately if the teacher:
24-Hour Emergency Line: 240-240-7511 (non-business hours)
Please remember to contact us in the following circumstances:
Never hesitate to contact us if you need assistance! If you are struggling with job-related challenges, we are here to listen and try to mediate a conversation with your school as needed. You also should notify us of any legal proceedings that may involve you.
24-Hour Emergency Line: 240-240-7511 (non-business hours)
Not necessarily. Participants can be added to their host organization’s payroll without a Social Security number and the I-9 Employment Verification process can also be completed. They can show the receipt of having applied for the card, and the host organization will be able to use a “temporary number” to enroll them on the payroll until they receive their social security card with actual number. However, many schools, especially public schools, have additional steps that may be necessary before they can pay you such as the background check or other licensing steps. Check out the information from the IRS on this topic.
Not necessarily. Overtime is usually earned after 40 hours per week, and it is typically earned at 1.5 times base rate of pay.
There are two types of positions in the United States: “exempt” or “non‐exempt.” Anyone deemed an “exempt” employee will earn a set wage to perform a particular job, while a “non‐exempt” employee earns a wage for the actual time they work. The determination is based upon the position, not the individual.
Therefore, in a J‐1 program, if a position held by a U.S. employee is considered “exempt,” then J‐1 participants in that same position will be considered “exempt,” and so on in the case of “non‐exempt” positions.
U.S. organizations are not required to pay overtime to “exempt” employees. On the other hand, participants who are considered “non‐exempt” are eligible for overtime. Determination of overtime varies by organization and by state.
No. U.S. organizations are not legally required to offer their employees any leave with pay, including vacation and sick time. Therefore, U.S. organizations are not legally required to offer J‐1 participants any type of leave with pay.
Participants are subject to the leave policies of their specific host organizations. In most cases, participants will have to “earn” paid vacation and sick time. That is, participants will be eligible for paid leave only after spending a certain period of time with the host organization.
As a guide, in the United States, new employees typically earn one to two weeks of vacation in their first year of employment. Therefore, participants should not expect any more than two weeks of vacation during their program period in the United States.
Participants may not travel outside of the United States for more than 30 consecutive days during the school year without approval. Generally, you should not be absent from work except for brief vacations or illness. In the summer, you may travel abroad for the full official school break. Before traveling, participants must scan the Form DS-2019 to Cultural Vistas for travel validation. The signature confirms that the participant continues to be sponsored by Cultural Vistas, and they should be allowed to re-enter at the border when returning. The signature is valid for one year. When possible, Cultural Vistas asks the participant to submit the DS-2019 for travel validation at least 2 weeks prior to intended travel.
You must have a valid multiple entry visa in your passport to re-enter the United States. If you have a single entry visa, or if your visa has expired, contact Cultural Vistas well in advance of your trip so that necessary documentation can be provided.
It is important for participants to make sure they can enter Canada or Mexico without a visa. Remember that the J-1 Visa is only valid for the United States. And, while U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Canada or Mexico, the participant’s home country may have separate visa requirements for travel into Mexico or Canada.
The maximum time allowed on the J-1 Visa for teaching is five years. The ability to continue in the program is contingent on the teacher maintaining employment with the approved host school and overall program compliance. There is no guarantee you can stay for five years and decisions regarding your continued participation are made by Cultural Vistas. We will send teachers and schools instructions on how to extend the program.
Participants should always carry the health insurance card with them. If participants are in an accident or need medical attention unexpectedly, they will need to show proof of coverage under a health insurance policy. Except in potentially life threatening medical emergencies, clinics, doctors, and hospitals will ask to see the health insurance card before treatment is administered.
You can access your ID card, claims related information, provider search and more here: Student Zone
Procedures for payment of medical treatment vary, but participants should expect to have at least some out‐of‐pocket costs for each medical treatment they receive.
Please note that pregnancy is not covered by the Cultural Vistas health insurance policy. Any pregnancy-related medical expenses would be incurred at the expense of the participant and/or spouse.
Not without pre-approval from Cultural Vistas. Information about participants’ teaching location is listed on their Form DS-2019. Applicants enter the United States to teach at a specific location, and will not able to change locations unless the host employer’s application stated that your teaching would include more than one location. If financial or other conditions with the host employer change dramatically during the program, participants must contact Cultural Vistas to determine if arrangements can be made to allow them to secure a teaching position at a different site. However, as the visa sponsor, only Cultural Vistas can make a decision on a change in teaching location.
It is important to remember that participants can legally earn a wage only at the host employer listed on the Form DS-2019. Substantial penalties exist for both the employer and the participant if the participant is not legally authorized to earn a wage at that employer.
Often teachers are asked to assist the host school in other ways outside the classroom. You can do things like act as a class sponsor or club sponsor or be the head of your grade. You can also participate in after school tutoring at your assigned school but only if compensation is directly from the school. You cannot take on duties where you are employed by another organization even if they take place at your school. You also cannot take on other positions such as guidance counselor, librarian, and other non-instructional positions.
Yes, but only at your current school listed on the DS-2019 and only in a position similar to your academic semester. That means day camps, tutoring, or other positions where you are not a lead classroom teacher are not allowed. All positions require you to act as a teacher of record with typical teaching duties such as lesson planning, grading, and providing student evaluation and feedback. Summer school does NOT have to be 32 hours per week.
No, this program only permits full-time teaching positions which are approved by us, the visa sponsor. Your approved location is the school listed on your DS-2019. You are not allowed to work for or receive additional U.S. income from any other person or organization including private tutoring, self-employment and cash -based earnings. Changing schools is rare and cannot be done without our advance approval.
Yes. Generally speaking, a J-1 teacher is likely considered to be a Non-Resident alien for tax purposes during the first two years depending on their personal immigration history and whether they meet the substantial presence test to be considered Resident. Thus, a teacher may move from Non-Resident to Resident over the course of their program and the withholding from their paycheck may change. While a Non-Resident, the teacher should NOT pay FICA (Social Security and Medicare) or FUTA (Unemployment) taxes. Otherwise, J-1 teachers are subject to all other federal, state, and local taxes unless exempted such as in accordance with country-specific tax treaties. It is important to note that J-1 visitors may be subject to the requirements of the PPACA which is also based on the teacher’s tax status. Cultural Vistas provides free software for Non-Residents for federal tax returns which also allows the teacher to file state taxes where available for a fee. Check out the IRS and our tax partner, Sprintax, for more details.
The J‐1 Visa is a non‐immigrant visa, which is granted on the basis that you are not attempting to remain permanently in the U.S.
As part of Cultural Vistas’ sponsorship, the participant and host employer sign the obligations and responsibilities form confirming that the participant does not intend to abandon his or her non-immigrant status. Schools who repeatedly obtain H1b or other visa status for their teachers may not be able to work with Cultural Vistas in the future.
Yes, your J2 may apply for an employment authorization card from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This is not a process which involves Cultural Vistas. You should note that the J1 must be able to support all J2s alone and an EAD may not be issued otherwise. Additionally, many J2s face gaps in their work authorization when requesting an extension so you should be prepared for that. J2s do not get exemptions from Social Security or Medicare taxes even when they are Non-Residents.
Yes. Your spouse and/or child(ren) were issued a J-2 Visa in order to join you in your journey, support you and learn along with you. Thus, they cannot live in another state or city in order to pursue separate activities, even if they have a work permit.
Only dependents with work authorization will be given Social Security Numbers in general. If a child without work authorization NEEDS a tax identification number for some reason, you can apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS.
You may pursue non-degree courses in your free time so long as it does not interfere with your teaching. You may also pursue online degree courses as they don’t require specific visas to participate. You should not pursue traditional in-person degrees while you are a J-1 Teacher as they normally require student visas. You could consider taking a few classes and then after your Teacher program is over, completing your final degree on a student visa.
An exchange visitor is subject to the two‐year home country physical presence requirement under the following conditions:
Whether you are subject to this rule will be determined by the consular officer and indicated on your J Visa. If you are subject to this rule, you are not able to apply for an immigrant visa such as H1b, K or permanent residency until you reside outside the U.S. for two years or apply to waive the rule. It has no impact on eligibility for future J-1 programs.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently allows individuals to legally remain in the United States for 30 days after the end date indicated on their DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility). It is very important to comply with this regulation. If a participant’s program ends before the end date indicated on the DS-2019, he or she should contact Cultural Vistas. Anyone who remains in the United States beyond their legal status, even for one day, is subject to stiff penalties if the individual ever wants to return to the United States.
Yes, if granted permission by the U.S. government. To travel around the United States for more than 30 days after a J-1 program has been completed, apply to the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to a B1/B-2 Visitor’s visa. This will allow the participant to extend his or her stay in the United States. The participant must apply for this change of status before the last day of his or her program that is noted on the Form DS-2019.
Please note that the participant cannot remain on the payroll of his or her host employer beyond the last day of the teaching program that is noted on the Form DS-2019. Substantial penalties exist for both the participant and the employer if he or she is not legally authorized to earn a wage at that employer.
