Types of Teacher Visas

The two primary types of visas that enable teachers to work in the USA are the J-1 visa and the H-1B visa.

The J-1 visa is part of the Exchange Program, designed for educational and cultural exchange, and targets teachers specifically for short-term teaching opportunities. It fosters cross-cultural understanding in American classrooms.

The J1 Teacher Exchange Program allows foreign educators to teach in United States schools for up to three years, promoting cultural exchange renewable for another 2 years. The eligibility requires a bachelor's degree equivalent, teaching experience, and English language proficiency. Applicants must have a state's accredited host school who sponsors the immigration process. The applicant must submit the complete documents and school credentials as evaluated by a US-based certified credential evaluation agency and must pass the job interview by the host or sponsor school.

The sponsor must complete the DS-2019 Form.

The Form DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant),” is a Department of State controlled document that can only be produced through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is the Department of Homeland Security database developed to maintain information on F, M, and J visa holders. The Form DS-2019 is required to support an application for a nonimmigrant J visa for exchange visitors (J-1) and their accompanying spouses and dependents (J-2), if any.

The hired foreign teachers have legal obligations and rights, and must adjust to US teaching methods.

The H-1B visa is an employment-based, non-immigrant visa for temporary workers in specialized fields, including education.

The H-1B visa for teachers is a non-immigrant visa in the U.S. that allows schools to employ foreign teachers in specialty occupations. To qualify, the teaching position must require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field, and the teacher must meet these educational requirements.

A U.S. school must sponsor the teacher and file a petition, including a Labor Condition Application, ensuring that the teacher will be paid the prevailing wage and that their employment won’t negatively affect U.S. workers. The H-1B visa is subject to an annual cap and a competitive lottery system, with an initial duration of up to three years, extendable to a maximum of six years.

In both types of Visas, the US school or educational institution must extend a job offer to the applicant as part of the eligibility criteria.

• Being a credentialed teacher with at least 3 years of teaching experience.
• Demonstrating fluency in English.
• Meeting the teaching standards of the US state where they will be employed.

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field relevant to the teaching position.
• Have a state-issued license if teaching in a public school.

Both visas have specific time frames and quotas, subject to change based on immigration policies. 

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the primary agency overseeing these visa categories, ensuring that all legal and procedural standards are met throughout the application process.

1. Find a sponsor recognized by the United States Department of State.
2. Submit the required documentation, which typically includes the DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms.
3. Pay the necessary visa application fees.
4. Schedule and attend a visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.

1. The employer filing a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.
2. The employer then submits the Form I-129 to USCIS.
3. Once approved, the teacher applies for the visa through the US Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The H-1B visa for teachers is a non-immigrant visa in the U.S. that allows schools to employ foreign teachers in specialty occupations. To qualify, the teaching position must require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field, and the teacher must meet these educational requirements. A U.S. school must sponsor the teacher and file a petition, including a Labor Condition Application, ensuring that the teacher will be paid the prevailing wage and that their employment won’t negatively affect U.S. workers. The H-1B visa is subject to an annual cap and a competitive lottery system, with an initial duration of up to three years, extendable to a maximum of six years.