Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

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Teacher

Regulations pertaining specifically to the Teacher category are found at [22 CFR 62.24].

Through this program, foreign nationals are afforded opportunities to teach in primary and secondary accredited educational institutions in the United States for up to three years.

To be eligible to participate in this program, foreign nationals must meet the qualifications for teaching in primary or secondary schools in their country of nationality or last legal residence, have a minimum of three years of teaching or related professional experience, and satisfy the standards of the US state in which they will teach. They must also be of good reputation and character, and seeking to enter the United States to teach full time at a primary or secondary accredited educational institution in the United States. Sponsors are required to evaluate the qualifications of their applicant participants to determine that the above criteria are met and applicant participants are proficient in the English language, and to secure references from colleagues and current or former employers attesting to the applicants' good reputation, character, and teaching skills.

Sponsors may issue a completed Form DS-2019 only to their selected program participants who have received a written offer of a teaching position from the accredited institution at which they will teach, and who have accepted the position in writing. The location of that institution/s is to be indicated on the Form DS-2019, and participants may teach only at the institution/s and at locations where the institution/s is involved in official school activities (for example, field trips and teacher training programs). The appointment of program participants in a teaching position is temporary, even if the teaching position is permanent. Also, the position is to be in compliance with any applicable collective bargaining agreement, where one exists.

As part of the required pre-departure materials, sponsors are to provide their participants with the following information:

1. The duration and location/s of the participants' program
   
   
2. A summary of the significant components of the program, including a written statement of the teaching requirements and related professional obligations
   
   
3. A written statement that clearly states the compensation, if any, to be paid to the exchange visitor teacher and any other financial arrangements relevant to the program

Please refer to the program regulations for details about this category and the sponsor's administrative obligations.

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