Global Educator Program Eligibility Requirements
Join our J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa program as an international educator. Review the requirements to teach in U.S. K-12 schools and begin your journey.
Are You Ready to Become a Global Educator in the United States?
Global Teaching Partners sponsors international educators through the J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa program. Before starting your application, ensure you meet all minimum requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. Our rigorous selection process ensures only qualified, professionally trained educators join our program. Review each requirement carefully: all criteria must be met to be considered for the Global Educator Program.
Minimum Requirements for Global Educator Candidacy
You must hold the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree in education or your teaching subject through four years at an accredited university.
A minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience after earning your Bachelor's degree is required at the time of application.
You must be employed full-time (32+ hours weekly) as head of a K-12 classroom at the time you submit your application to Global.
You must meet all qualifications for teaching at primary (including pre-K) or secondary levels in schools in your home country.
You must satisfy teaching eligibility standards for the U.S. state where you'll teach, including credential evaluation and background checks.
You must demonstrate fluency in spoken and written English at B2 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
A valid driver's license from your country of residence is required. Many U.S. school districts have limited public transportation access.
You must be of good reputation and character with no disqualifying criminal history that would prevent U.S. visa approval.
You must not be a U.S. resident or citizen and must not have applied for a U.S. green card or permanent residency at any time.
You must agree to come to the U.S. temporarily as a full-time teacher of record in an accredited K-12 school for cultural exchange purposes.
Trusted by Leading School Districts
Why Our Requirements Create Exceptional Educators
Our rigorous requirements guarantee that every Global Educator brings professional training and proven classroom experience to U.S. students.
Meeting these standards ensures you're fully prepared for the cultural, academic, and logistical challenges of teaching in American schools.
As an official BridgeUSA-designated sponsor since 2016, we follow strict federal regulations to maintain our J-1 Visa sponsorship authority.
Eligibility & Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I'm currently a teacher assistant or paraprofessional?
To be eligible for the Global Educator Program, you must be a "teacher of record"—the lead educator fully responsible for student academic progress. Teacher assistants and paraprofessionals who are not teachers of record are not eligible. However, co-teachers are eligible because they share teacher of record responsibilities. You must also have at least two years of full-time experience as a teacher of record after earning your Bachelor's degree.
Are administrators like principals or vice principals eligible to apply?
Applicants must be working as full-time classroom educators (32+ hours per week) at the time of application. If you hold both educator and administrator roles, you must spend at least 32 hours weekly instructing students, planning lessons, grading, contacting parents, and attending educator meetings. Past administrative experience cannot be counted toward your U.S. teaching salary calculation.
Do I need to have my Bachelor's degree evaluated before applying?
You do not need a credential evaluation to begin your application. Global Teaching Partners will review your credentials during the application process to determine initial eligibility. If you're hired by a U.S. school district, Global will arrange for an official credential evaluation to ensure your degrees meet U.S. equivalency standards. You may need to pay for official transcripts or certified translations if your documents are not in English.
Can I apply without a driver's license?
No. A valid automobile driver's license from your country of residence is required for all applicants. Many of our partner school districts are in areas with limited public transportation, and educators must be fully independent for emergencies and daily living. Motorcycle licenses, learner's permits, temporary licenses, and certificates of competency cannot be accepted. You cannot depend on a spouse or family member for transportation.
Are U.S. residents or green card holders eligible for the program?
No. The J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa is specifically for temporary non-immigrant cultural exchange. U.S. residents, U.S. citizens, and anyone who has applied for a U.S. green card or permanent residency at any time are not eligible for the Global Educator Program.
What if my region is not currently accepting applications?
When Global receives an overwhelming number of applications from a particular region, we temporarily pause new applications to give our Admission Team time to thoroughly review existing applications. If your region is temporarily closed, please check back in a few months to submit your application.
What English proficiency level do I need to demonstrate?
Global Teaching Partners requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency at B2 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We evaluate English proficiency through interviews conducted entirely in English. If there are concerns about your English level, additional assessment may be requested to ensure you can successfully communicate in U.S. classrooms.
Can I apply if I teach preschool in my home country?
Global Teaching Partners does not currently recruit educators to teach preschool in the United States. The program focuses on K-12 placements, though exchange educators may teach pre-kindergarten only in dual language immersion programs if qualified.
Ready to Begin Your Global Educator Journey?
Review the requirements? Meet all the criteria? Take the next step and begin your application to teach in the United States with J-1 Visa sponsorship.
