This may be of interest to Montessori schools in the USA
The J1 Visa program allows US schools to sponsor visiting teachers to teach at their schools for a number of years. Many Montessori schools use, have used, or have considered participating in the J1 program to find a well-qualified Montessori teacher from outside the United States.
We recently learned from Cultural Vistas, a US-based company that facilitates J1 Visas for teachers (www.culturalvistas.org) that the U.S. Department of State has revised its regulations regarding the J-1 visa for teachers, which take effect as of February 29, 2016. The following was provided to us by Cultural Vistas. We have used their services, and can attest to the benefits that many schools find in the cultural exchanges possible through the J1 Visa Program. Contact them for more information.
Here are the key changes to the rules, reported to us by Cultural Vistas:
– Teachers eligible for a three-year initial visa, with the possibility to request an extension for up to two years (previously, this was up three years)(see note below).
– Teachers may apply for a second J-1 visa for teachers AFTER being outside of the United States for two years (previously, there was no two-year requirement)
– Teachers need to have two years full-time teaching experience (previously, it was three years)
– Eligible schools are accredited public and private K-12 schools, including pre-kindergarten “language immersion” programs offered as a regular course of study in accredited primary schools (previously, teachers could not teach at the pre-K level; please understand that these are programs that are a part of an accredited primary school, NOT separate pre-K programs, and MUST be a part of a language immersion program)
– K-12 teachers who left teaching to pursue an advanced degree to enhance their credentials are now eligible to apply (previously, we could only consider current K-12 teachers)
– There is now a requirement for a cross-cultural component to be included in the program (previously, this was not required). This is somewhat broad, and Cultural Vistas is planning activities we hope will help teachers fulfill this requirement. The quality of the cross-cultural activities will be a determining factor in whether DOS grants a request for the extension beyond three years.
Current teachers who are completing their third (and final) year ARE eligible to request an extension for one or two years.
PLEASE NOTE that this extension must be approved by both Cultural Vistas and the State Department. And, to do so, applications for extensions must be received at least four months prior to the last day listed on the teacher’s DS-2019 form.
Please contact Cultural Vistas (teach@culturalvistas.org) if you are interested in learning more about this option.
