Teacher Program

IIIE partners with accredited public and private primary and secondary school systems across the United States who invite an international teacher for a temporary, full-time position as a teacher of record. These opportunities strengthen foreign language programs, curricular instruction, cross-cultural teaching collaborations and knowledge-sharing.

International teachers diversify primary and secondary schools, bringing a different approach to teaching and new perspectives on education. Qualified teachers interact with colleagues, build relationships with students and parents, engage in professional development activities, and share their cultural experiences with classrooms in their home country. The standard duration of sponsorship for an exchange teacher is up to three years.

Basic eligibility requirements include:

For international teachers to teach full-time at accredited U.S. public or private K-12 schools, or in language immersion programs at the pre-kindergarten level.

For the international teacher:
Meets the qualifications for teaching at the primary or secondary level in his or her home country.
Holds a degree equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s in either education or the academic subject matter which he or she intends to teach.
Has two (2) years of full-time teaching experience outside of the U.S.
Is working as a teacher in his or her home country at time of application; OR, has or will have completed an advanced degree (in either education or the academic subject matter which he or she intends to teach) within 12 months of the application submission date.
Satisfies the teaching eligibility standards of the U.S. state in which he or she will teach, including any required criminal or background checks.
Has a high-level of English proficiency.

For the U.S. host school system and position:
Is an accredited public or private U.S. primary or secondary school.
Is meeting or exceeding state standards for school quality.
Is offering a “teacher of record” position with a minimum of 32 hours per week of teaching or teaching-related administrative duties and complies with any applicable bargaining agreements.
Duties, responsibilities, hours of employment and compensation are commensurate with those of similarly situated U.S. teachers at the U.S. school or school district.
If at the pre-kindergarten level, is for a language-immersion program.
Teaching position offered is academic and related to the candidate’s background. Positions that are non-instructional or involve counseling, therapy, teacher training, or childcare will not be considered.

Please review the U.S. Department of State’s information on Teacher program eligibility here: https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/teacher

Our application process:

IIE is not currently offering placement services to individual teachers or U.S. host school systems for this program. Schools that are interested in applying to IIE for sponsorship of international teachers should contact IIE directly to arrange an introductory phone call.

Access to our online application is only granted once initial vetting of the U.S. host school system is completed.

IIE accepts applications annually between March 1 and June 1. Teachers must plan to arrive by the start of the academic year. The application process includes:

1. Vetting (for new school partners):
   • IIE reviews school accreditation information, school performance data, and holds a virtual introductory meeting
2. Application Process and Approval Process:
   • Host school and teacher each submit their portion of IIE’s online application for sponsorship
   • Teacher completes a virtual interview with IIE
   • Schools finalize and sign or renew their IIE agreements
   • Teacher completes the IIE budget workbook and signs their IIE Terms of Appointment
3. DS-2019 Issuance:
   • IIE issues the electronic Form(s) DS-2019 for the teacher and any dependents
4. Nonimmigrant Visa Application:
   • The teacher is responsible for applying at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country for the visa and paying associated fees. For more information on this process, visit the Department of State website here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html

Please download and review the Fact Sheet below for more information on eligibility, fees, and disclosures. U.S. host schools are responsible for paying IIE sponsorship fees.

Services covered by our sponsorship fee include:

• Virtual introductory meeting with new U.S. school systems
• Access to an online application system and eligibility guidance
• Option to enroll in IIE group health insurance meeting the J visa requirements
• Virtual interview with the international teacher during the sponsorship application process
• Budgeting tool for the teacher to plan their finances while in the U.S.
• Written terms of appointment for the teacher that outline all program details, including position, funding arrangements and visa requirements
• Online teacher portal with access to pre-arrival information and online orientation materials
• Virtual arrival orientation for approved teachers in August
• Virtual arrival orientation for approved U.S. host schools in September
• Monitoring and maintenance of the J-1 nonimmigrant visa record
• Virtual webinar for teachers covering the annual Cross-Cultural Activity requirements
• Dedicated IIE Advisor for the teacher during the program
• Check-in surveys each fall and spring for the teacher and host school supervisor
• Periodic site visits to U.S. host schools
• Travel advising and international travel authorization for teachers
• Emergency incident support, including a 24-hour contact number for teachers

Download the J-1 Teacher Fact Sheet & Fees (PDF)