New Regulations Published for J-1 Exchange Teachers

The United States Department of State has issued a final rule change, effective February 29, 2016, which codifies new regulations affecting the Teacher category of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

The Teacher category of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program permits foreign teachers to teach full-time at accredited public or private primary or secondary schools (K-12 and Pre-K) and in some language immersion programs offered by accredited primary schools.

In addition to other changes, the new regulations require that a prospective J-1 exchange teacher must be currently working as a teacher in his or her home country and have at least two years of full-time teaching experience.

If a prospective J-1 teacher is not currently working as a teacher, then under the new regulations, he or she must be a recent graduate (within the last 12 months) of an advanced degree in a program that is directly related to education.

The regulations also clarify that the duration of program participation by J-1 exchange teachers is three years, with an extension permitted for one to two additional years of participation, based upon school need and teacher performance during the exchange.

For more information on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and the recent changes, please contact Kolko & Associates, PC.