J-1 Teacher Visa Eligibility Overview
To qualify for the J-1 Teacher Exchange Program, international teachers and schools must meet requirements such as:
Teachers
A bachelor's degree in education or relevant subject area
Teaching certification in their home country
At least two years of recent teaching experience abroad
Currently teaching, or completing relevant advanced degree
English language proficiency
A full-time teaching position at an accredited U.S. school
U.S. School
Be an accredited primary or secondary (K-12) institution
Provide a full-time teaching position (typically 32+ hours weekly)
Provide compensation comparable to that of similarly qualified American educators
Facilitate opportunities for the teacher to share their culture with students and the community
Eligibility is assessed by the designated J-1 sponsor in accordance with the Department of State regulations
J-1 Visa Sponsorship for International Teachers & U.S. Schools
AIFS Professional Pathways provides J-1 visa sponsorship and program support for international teachers and U.S. schools—delivering the expertise you need to move forward with confidence.
If you're an international teacher who has secured a position—or a U.S. K-12 school that has selected a candidate—the next step is J-1 visa sponsorship.