Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a J-1 visa?

- A J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to research scholars, professors and exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural exchange, especially to obtain medical or business training within the U.S.

https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/

• What is J-2

- is a non-immigrant visa issued by a consular official at a U.S. embassy or consulate for spouses and dependents (unmarried children under the age of 21) of J-1 exchange visitors who accompany or later join the J-1 holder in the United States.

https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/j2-visa/

• How long can you stay in the US on a J-1 visa?

-The J-1 Teacher Program is a nonimmigrant cultural exchange, which gives foreign teachers the opportunity to teach in accredited primary and secondary schools in the United States. Teachers may work in a U.S. school for up to 3 years, with the possibility of a 1 or 2 year extension.

• What is credential Evaluation

- is the valuation of your degree/diploma through expert analysis. It basically analyses your national education degree to provide an American or Canadian equivalent, i.e. it converts your academic credentials to fall in line with the academic credential system in that of the USA or Canada. It is done majorly for countries such as Canada and the USA as they do not have a national education ministry to evaluate foreign degrees. Hence, universities, employers, etc. expect an evaluated degree from independent credential auditors. While there are some US universities that evaluate degree on their own terms, but most of the times, the university will ask for an evaluated degree. Even if you are called upon for a job in these countries, you need to submit evaluated degree during the documentation process. As it is a crucial process, only an expert with an all-round knowledge of international education systems can perform a full credential evaluation.

• Am I qualified to be a J1- teacher? (yes if you meet the following requirement)

• Meet the qualifications for teaching in primary or secondary schools in their country of nationality or last legal residence;

• Be working as a teacher in the home country or country of legal residence at the time of application, or, if not working as a teacher, otherwise meet the eligibility qualifications and (a) have recently (within 12 months of application) completed an advanced degree and (b) have two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years;

• Have a degree-equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in either education or the academic subject field in which they intend to teach;

• Have a minimum of two years (24 months) of teaching or related professional experience;

• Satisfy the standards of the U.S. state in which they will teach;

• Be of good reputation and character;

• Be seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of full-time teaching as a teacher of record at a primary (including pre-kindergarten) or secondary accredited educational institution in the United States (pre-kindergarten teachers must teach full-time, and at the pre-kindergarten level, may teach only language immersion at an accredited host school);

• Possess sufficient proficiency in the English language.

• Are teachers allowed to travel or return home throughout the program?

-Yes, teachers are free to travel and explore the USA during school vacations. Teachers can also return home as necessary or during the longer summer vacation. Please remember that the DS 2019 form needs to be signed before you travel overseas in the lower right hand corner for “travel authorization.”

• I am married and my spouse is also a teacher. Should we both enter the USA as J-1 teachers or should one of use come as a J-2 dependent?

-Both scenarios are possible. If the spouse arrives as a J-2 dependent, it is important to let the school know that the spouse can not work until the EAD (Employment Authorization) process is complete, which can take up to 12 weeks.

• Can I bring my spouse and children to the USA?

-Yes, you can, but you should check with your school first to see if they have any questions about your family joining you. It is also possible for the teacher to come first and set up the apartment and begin adapting to teaching before family members arrive.