Overview
Greenheart Exchange works with Immigration Attorneys who are advising clients about J-1 visas to visit the United States to work or study. If your clients are interested in the U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA programs for Teachers or for Interns/Trainees, Greenheart may be able to help.
Teachers
For Immigration Attorneys
Greenheart Exchange partners with immigration attorneys and provides J-1 visa sponsor services and guidance for Teachers through the Teach USA program.
A partnership with Greenheart Exchange may include the following services:
- Program eligibility verification
- Step-by-step guidance through the program application process
- Administration of the required English proficiency interview
- Assistance in securing a suitable placement based on the candidate’s education and work experience
- Issuance of the DS-2019 form
Who pays the Teach USA program fees?
Participants are responsible for paying all fees associated with the Teach USA program. However, Greenheart does encourage schools to help pay for program fees if funding is available.
What type of salary will a teacher earn?
Teach USA teachers earn the same salary and benefits as their American counterparts. This is a requirement for all host schools in the Teach USA program.
How does a teacher become certified to teach in a host state and school?
Teacher certification for international teachers is different state-by-state. The first step for all teachers is to undergo a Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE). Greenheart Exchange offers a unique discount for our teachers to expedite their FCE and save money in the process!
What is the timeline for the Teach USA program?
Once a teacher submits an Eligibility Check and is determined eligible to apply, the application process takes 2-8 weeks, depending upon the applicant and program type. School interview dates usually take place March-May. The U.S. school year typically runs from August to the following June.
Can a teacher’s spouse or children (dependents) accompany me to the U.S.?
Yes! Spouses and children under 21 are eligible for sponsorship on a J-2 visa. Greenheart recommends that your family join you in the U.S. only after you have arrived at your placement, began teaching, and secured housing. Additionally, J-2 children can attend school in the U.S.
Can a teacher’s spouse work on a J-2 visa?
Dependents may apply for an I-765 from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work throughout the duration of their stay.
How long can Teachers stay in the U.S.?
Teachers can stay up to 3 years and may apply for an extension of 2 years for a possible total of 5 years.
Are international teachers exempt from paying taxes?
No. All participants are required to pay federal, state and local taxes (if applicable) but are usually exempt from FICA (Social Security and Medicare) since they are not future beneficiaries. For tax purposes, international teachers are considered non-resident aliens and must file a tax return. International teachers are often eligible for a refund at the end of the fiscal year.
Visit Sprintax to learn about who must file taxes, residency for tax purposes, implications of filing/not filing correctly, and more.
Intern and Trainee
For Immigration Attorneys
Greenheart Exchange partners with immigration attorneys and provides J-1 visa sponsor services and guidance through our Intern and Trainee programs.
A partnership with Greenheart Exchange may include the following services:
- Program eligibility verification
- Step-by-step guidance through the program application process
- Administration of the required English proficiency interview
- Assistance in securing a suitable placement based on the candidate’s education and work experience
- Guidance in developing a detailed Training Plan
- Issuance of the DS-2019 form
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Greenheart Exchange offer J-2 dependent visa sponsorship?
Greenheart Exchange can sponsor J-2 Dependent visas for Teachers. The J-2 dependent visa is a separate application process and is subject to additional terms and conditions, and program fees.
Requests for a J-2 visa application should be submitted along with the initial submission of the Teacher candidate. Reach out to us for more information.
Does Greenheart Exchange have expedited processing?
Yes, Greenheart Exchange’s expedited processing guarantees that within 2 days of receiving the submitted complete application, Greenheart Exchange will review the application, process the payment, and ship the DS-2019 form to the participant.
What do I do if my applicant is denied their visa?
The attorney and/or participant must update Greenheart Exchange on the outcome of each visa interview. Failure to notify Greenheart Exchange about visa denials will result in forfeiture of the program fee refund.
What makes my applicant ineligible?
- Trainee applicants that completed the Trainee program in the past two years are not eligible.
- Intern and Trainee applicants that previously were sponsored for the F-1 student visa are eligible only if they have qualifying experience outside the U.S. and have not done work study on the CPT/OPT and can convincingly prove intent to return to their home country.
- Intern and Trainee applicants that previously were sponsored on the F-1 student visa and completed or partially completed the F-1 CPT/OPT are not immediately eligible. They must prove an established career abroad before they may re-qualify. The general period is 1 year.
What is the difference between the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement and Two-Year Bar?
Section 212(E), also known as the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement is determined by the U.S. Embassy. This requirement restricts certain participants on the Intern and Trainee programs from applying for certain immigrant and work-based visas for 2 years after completion of the Intern or Trainee program.
The Two-Year Bar is a regulation, 22 C.F.R §62.22(n)(2), that requires Interns and Trainees to reside outside of the U.S. for at least two years before being eligible to apply for an additional Trainee program.
- A participant who completes the Intern program, may apply for an additional intern program if eligible, but not a Trainee program for at least 2 years.
- A participant who completes the Trainee program, may apply for the Intern program if eligible, but must wait at least two years to apply for an additional Trainee program.