J-1 Teacher Program

J-1 Visa Sponsorship for International Teachers & U.S. Schools

AIFS Professional Pathways provides J-1 visa sponsorship and program support for international teachers and U.S. schools—delivering the expertise you need to move forward with confidence.

If you're an international teacher who has secured a position—or a U.S. K-12 school that has selected a candidate—the next step is J-1 visa sponsorship.

Your Partner for J-1 Teacher Programs

Teacher aide in classroom.

The J-1 teacher visa is part of the U.S. Department of State's BridgeUSA cultural exchange program and allows qualified international educators to teach in the U.S. for one to three academic years. (With the possibility of extending up to five years!) This requires visa sponsorship from an authorized organization.

AIFS Professional Pathways serves as your J-1 visa sponsor, managing the process from eligibility review through DS-2019 issuance and on-program support.

Our J-1 Teacher Sponsorship Services

Unmatched customer service

24-hour participant emergency support

Eligibility review for the J-1 teacher visa program

Credential evaluation and document collection

Guidance for the visa application and consular interview

U.S. Host Company vetting, education & guidance

In-person cultural activities & virtual networking for J-1's

Form DS-2019 issuance (required for J-1 visa application)

Tax Software for participants post-program

Option for expedited application processing services

Upon request from schools: recruitment, matching & vetting of eligible teachers

Pre-departure preparation for teaching in the U.S.

Conflict resolution support

J-2 Visa sponsorship for J-1 holder’s spouses & children

Program amendment, renewal & extension support

Program monitoring and compliance support

Proactive communication with partners around immigration, travel developments, & related federal guidance

On-going J-1 Visa expertise & advisement including maintenance of federal records

Why Work with AIFS Professional Pathways

High school teacher in a classroom with students.

AIFS Professional Pathways is part of the AIFS family of organizations, with decades of experience supporting international exchange programs and visa sponsorship.

As a designated  J-1 visa sponsor, we bring a  hands-on approach to helping international teachers and U.S. schools navigate the visa process and compliance.

Clear, step-by-step guidance

Proactive support for teachers, schools, and legal counsel

Strong focus on compliance with Department of State requirements

Ongoing communication throughout the process

How J-1 Teacher Visa Sponsorship Works

1. Submit Initial Information

The teacher and school provide basic details to begin the J-1 sponsorship process.

2. Eligibility & Documentation Review

We review qualifications and collect final materials to assess J-1 teacher visa eligibility.

3. DS-2019 Issuance

Once approved, we issue Form DS-2019 so the teacher can apply for a J-1 visa.

4. Visa Preparation & Arrival

We guide the teacher through the visa process and provide support leading up to arrival in the U.S.

See a full breakdown of our J-1 teacher visa sponsorship fees and what’s included at each step.

For International Teachers

If you've been offered a teaching position in a K-12 classroom in the United States, J-1 visa sponsorship allows you to teach full-time while participating in a cultural exchange.

AIFS Professional Pathways supports you through the visa process and while you are in the U.S. so you can focus on  your teaching experience.

For U.S. Schools & Districts

If your school has hired or selected an international teacher, working with a J-1 visa sponsor ensures that both they and you  meet all program requirements. We manage the visa sponsorship, documentation, and compliance so your team can focus on your students and staff.