J-1 visa federal regulations require foreign teachers to:
(1) qualify to teach in K-12 schools in their country of nationality or last legal residence
(2) have two years’ full-time teaching experience
(3) satisfy the standards of the US state where they teach
(4) be fluent in English
(5) be of good reputation and character
(6) teach full-time 32 hours per week minimum in the US
(7) possess the equivalent of a US university degree (4 years) in education or subject taught
(8) be currently working as a teacher in home country or country of last legal residence
(9) Exchange Intent–to come to the U.S. for the purpose of exchange, not work.
CANNOT:
(10) work as a principal, intern, tutor, counselor, coach, etc. per CFR 62.24 Guidance 2019-01[2], Feb 1, 2019
(11) have worked in J-1 teacher visa status in the US during the previous 2 years
(12) work in day-care schools
Note:  These federal laws are not flexible.

The school, district or state will set up a CHF J-1 visa teacher exchange program if there is not already an existing one.   Schools must be primary or secondary accredited educational institutions in the United States.  School exemption from certification does not apply in this case.  The school, district or state must cover CHF sponsorship costs.

Note that as of 2018, the US government asks J-1 visa sponsors to collect some documentation from State Departments of Ed.  Be sure to contact us a few months before the start of the school year if you are new, to make sure we can gather the documents needed for a public school in time (in a few states where we do not have it yet). Private schools are usually okay.

The process of representing a new school to sponsor a teacher in J-1 visa status is rather complicated and can take more time than any unsuspecting person would reasonably expect, depending upon the state.  It has been made more difficult and time-consuming since April 2018.  However, CHF has not changed our sponsorship rates in 5 years because of the extra time burden, frustration, and effort now also required on individual schools, school districts, and Confucius Institutes.  As the government makes it harder and harder, we constantly strive to make it easier and easier!