Admissions Requirements

To qualify for our program, applicants must:

• Have a formal, written offer of employment from an eligible U.S. host school.

• Hold, at the minimum, a degree equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s Degree in either Education or the academic subject field intended to teach.

• Be employed as a full-time lead teacher of record in his or her home country at the time of application.*

• Meet the qualifications to teach at the primary, including pre-Kindergarten, or secondary levels in schools in his or her home country.

• Have at least two years of documented, full-time teaching experience as the lead teacher.  Satisfy the teaching eligibility standards of the U.S. State in which they will teach, including any criminal background checks, additional testing, or supplemental coursework that may be required.

• Possess a sufficient level of written and verbal English.

• Agree to come to the United States as a full-time teacher of record in an accredited primary or secondary school.

• Commit to facilitating cross-cultural activities with U.S. host school and community; and internationally with school abroad.

• Be of good reputation and character.

*There is one exception to this requirement.  A teacher who is not working in his or her home country at the time of application, but otherwise meets the qualifications for teaching at the primary (including pre-kindergarten) or secondary levels in schools in the home country; has had at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years; and, within 12 months of his or her application submission date for the program, has or will have completed an advanced degree (beyond a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree) in education or in an academic subject matter that he or she intends to teach or that is directly related to his or her teaching subject field.

Overview:

The goal of the International Teacher Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through teaching and cultural exchange.  This program offers highly qualified educators the opportunity to play important roles as cultural ambassadors by sharing aspects of their culture with U.S. students, schools, and communities through full-time, paid teaching positions at accredited primary and secondary schools. At the conclusion of their program, International Teachers are expected to return to their home country to share their experience and knowledge of U.S. culture and teaching methodologies with their local community.

The Basics:

• Participants may stay up to three years, with the possibility to extend, at the request of their host school, for an additional two years (for a maximum of five years).  This program is not intended as a way to immigrate to the U.S.

• Applicants must find their own teaching position with an eligible U.S. host school before Amity will consider sponsorship.

• Teachers are employed full-time directly through the Host School.  Therefore, the length of each teaching program is determined by the host school. Salary is determined by host school and varies per site. Teachers must be paid at the same level as their American colleagues with equal education and experience.

• International Teachers are only permitted to perform work stated in employment contract with host school.  Other work is not permitted.

• Upon finishing their program, participants must return to their home country to fulfill the exchange, and may not return to the United States on another J1 visa for at least two years.

• Applicants may request authorization for family members to accompany them to the U.S. (spouse or children under 21 years of age).

Throughout their time in the United States, International Teachers will:

• Work together with other teachers at the host school.

• Dress and conduct in a professional manner.

• Adjust to the host school’s teaching methods and educational philosophy.

• Diplomatically address inaccuracies and stereotypes expressed about their country and culture.

• Facilitate cross-cultural exchange activities with their students, school, and community.

Financial Responsibilities of the International Teacher:

Fixed Costs:

• $200 non-refundable application fee – payable to Amity after your eligibility has been established by our staff.

• $200 J2 application fee (one time processing fee per immediate family member)

• $220 SEVIS Fee (State Department fee)

• Annual Administrative Fee: paid per school year, due after arrival in the United States. This fee may be paid by or shared between the applicant and/or school.

  • The administrative fee fully covers all necessary processing associated with your program and there are no additional fees for regular program maintenance, travel validation signatures needed to reenter the United States, or reissuing a lost DS-2019 form. This fee is subject to review and change as deemed appropriate. Below is the fee schedule (according to the teacher’s program participation year) for the 2025-2026 school year: 

    • Year 1: $1650

    • Year 2: $1100

    • Year 3: $825

    • Year 4: $1100

    • Year 5: $825

• Amity does not work with third party agencies that require teachers to pay fees to that agency or any individual.

Please note: All required fees paid to Amity are non-refundable. 

Variable Costs:

• Visa application fee (approximately $185)

• Health and Evacuation/Repatriation Insurance for duration of the program – currently $97 per month for the teacher through an Amity endorsed insurance policy.  Dependents insurance premium is slightly higher. (This cost will vary if you choose to enroll with a different plan or provider)

• Housing and transportation costs – the International Teacher must be financially able to support his or her family and will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses.

• Personal expense money for the initial costs upon arriving to the U.S. to support you and your family members until you receive your first paycheck.

• Certification of licensing costs at U.S. host school – Approximately $35-$300, but varies depending on state and terms of licensure.

• Fee for Employment Authorization Form I-765 – for J-2 dependents who wish to work in the United States – Filing Fee $410 (paid directly to the U.S. Government).

• Transfer Processing Fee: $250 (if a current teacher decides to transfer to a new site of activity during Year 1-3).

Living Cost in the United States:

The United States is a very large country. Living costs may vary greatly based on where your school is located, the type of housing you choose, the availability of public transportation, and the number of individuals in your family. Below are some average costs to assist you in budgeting:

• Housing: You should expect to spend, on average, between $1100 and $1600 per month on rent.

• Transportation: Transportation costs represent the second largest monthly expenditure for the average American Family. The average American family spends between $850 and $900 per month for transportation.

• Food costs: The United States Department of Agriculture reports that the average American Family spends approximately $420 per individual each month for food.

 

Income Taxes:

As a participant in an Exchange Program, you are subject to U.S. federal taxes. In additional, many states also require taxes to withheld from your salary. Generally, these amounts are deducted from each of your salary.

• • • Federal Income Tax- Teachers 22-24%

    • State Taxes- These rates will vary by state but are generally 6-9%

    • FICA: a U.S. federal payroll tax that stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and is deducted from each paycheck. The current rate is 6.2% of gross salary. Please note: You may be eligible for a FICA exemption for up to two calendar years, based upon their prior presence in the U.S.

 

Other Payroll Deductions (Teacher Only):

• Retirement benefits: Many public-school teachers are state employees therefore a payroll deduction of 10-15% may be taken from each pay period for state retirement. These funds may be returned to you upon completion of your program

• Union dues: Many teachers assigned to public schools are covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Under a CBA, a union represents teachers in contract negotiations with their school. The teacher may be required to pay union dues through payroll deductions from members (teacher’s) paychecks. Average union dues are generally between $750-1000 per year.

 

Licensing (Teacher Only):

In The United States, most teachers are required to be licensed by the state in which they teach. Below are the average costs associated with licensing. You will likely be required to pay these costs prior to receiving your first paycheck from your school

• License Application Fee- $250-$375

• Credential evaluation: $170 (Spantran – additional fees may apply for rush delivery service)

• State Licensure Exams: $100-$200 – varies on State Authority

• Criminal Background check: $35-$165

• Third partner fees: Amity Institute does not require nay third party fees. If you are working with a third party, you will be required to provide Amity Institute copied of any contracts or agreements you have signed with any other agency. 

 

Estimated Monthly Living Expenses in the United States: (Teacher Only)

The cost of living can vary greatly across the United States. For this reason, the costs mentioned below are general averages of expected monthly costs:

• • • • Utilities: $344 a month

      • Cable and internet: $80-$120 (monthly) does not include streaming services

      • Phone: $100 a month

      • Childcare: $800-$1,195 per month per child

      • Entertainment, travel, take out: $250

 

It is important to understand that International Teacher wages may not cover all expenses while living in the United States. It is imperative that International Teachers bring additional personal funds to provide financial security and support as needed. For information regarding estimated costs of living in different regions of the United States, visit the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator. 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions