Start-up Expenses:
Expenses Occur in the first two months. (All these expenses are for one person & are just approximations)
Global Scholar Resources is committed to providing authentic and elaborate information for every participating J-1 teacher so that the teachers understand clearly about the J-1 Exchange Visitors Program, what are the program purposes, and how to perform in US School Classrooms. Global Scholar Resources will always stand beside every participating teacher in making them successful in the program.
Purpose of the J-1 Teacher Exchange Program [22 CFR 62.10(b)(1]:
The J1 teacher exchange program promotes the interchange of US and foreign teachers and enhances mutual understanding between the people of the US and other countries. Exchange teachers sharpen their professional skills and participate in cross-cultural activities in schools and communities, and they return home after the exchange to share their experience and increased knowledge of the US and the US educational system.
Home Country Physical Presence Requirement [22 CFR 62.10(b)(2)]:
Global Scholar Resources informs every participating J-1 teacher that they must return to his/her home country for a minimum of two years after the J-1 program is over. Per US Law, foreign nationals who have successfully completed J-1 teacher exchange programs are eligible to participate in additional teacher exchange programs, if they have resided outside the United States for at least two years following the successful completion of their most recent teacher exchange program and continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Travel to and entry into the USA Procedure [22 CFR 62.10(b)(3)]:
Once a J-1 Teacher program participant is selected by a host school, Global Scholar Resources will issue the form DS-2019 to the teacher. After receiving the form DS-2019, and the job offer letter, the teacher must get ready to come to the USA by following the step-by-step procedures guided by Global Scholar Resources.
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Review of J-1 Visa Document: Upon receiving DS-2019, the teacher is advised to review everything in the form to make sure all information is correct and accurate.
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Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee: Every J-1 Teacher must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee of $220 to US DHS, online via https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html Teacher must keep the receipt safely because it is needed when applying for J-1 Visa
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Apply for J-1 Visa: Once the teacher paid I-901 SEVIS fee, the teacher must get the Visa appointment from the nearest US Consulate/Embassy, by submitting the form DS-160.
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Arriving in the USA: After receiving the J-1 Visa, the J-1 teachers are advised to take the flight ticket to the designated city of the USA. The J-1 teachers must remember that they cannot enter the US more than 30 days prior to or after the start date mentioned in their DS-2019. Upon entering the US, at the port of entry, the teacher must present his/her valid passport, original DS-2019, and the SEVIS Fee payment receipt. GSR staff will be waiting in the designated place in the airport to welcome and receive the teacher.
Housing & Other Expenses [22 CFR 62.10(b)(4),(6)]:
On arrival of any J-1 teacher in the USA, the GSR staff or the designated representatives will assist the teachers in peacefully settling down in the USA and successfully completing the J-1 Program. The detailed services are posted in the post-arrival document.
The expenses incurred during the teacher’s stay in the US by him/herself or family are shown in the below table. Participating J-1 Program teachers must come prepared to cover the expenses incurred in the first two months of stay before receiving the first paycheck from the Host School, because it may take some time to get the Social Security Number ant then the first paycheck. We classified the expenses as start-up expenses and recurring expenses.
Pre-Arrival Information
Recurring Expenses:
Expenses Estimate (monthly) - (All these expenses are just approximations)
22 CFR 62.10(b)(5): List of Fees (J1 Program related)
Insurance [22 CFR 62.10(b)(7)]:
Global Scholar Resources will provide the program mandated Healthcare Insurance to every teacher. The cost of this Healthcare Insurance will be paid by GSR. But the cost of this coverage for the dependents must be paid by the J-1 teacher. Per this J-1 program compliance, the coverage of this Healthcare Insurance for the J-1 teacher and for every member of the family are MANDTORY.
However, this insurance will not cover every medical requirement for the J-1 teacher and his/her family members. So, the J-1 teachers are advised to take the Medical Insurance provided by the Host School System. The cost for this insurance will fully be paid by the J-1 teacher him/herself.
Arrival Notice [22 CFR 62.10(b)(8)]:
Every J1 Program Teacher, on or before arrival in the USA, is required to call the GSR Field Officer via +1-678-308-6102 or the RO/ARO via +1-678-267-5477.
Other Information [22 CFR 62.10(b)(9)]
In addition to all the above information provided to the Teacher, before departure from his/her home country, GSR will provide each teacher with a “Welcome Brochure” during the pre-arrival orientation, which will contain all information but not limited to how and when apply for social security number, how to open a bank account, how to get a driver’s license, employee rights & laws including workman’s compensation and how to remain in lawful non-immigrant status.
Pre-Departure Checklist:
Participant Teachers are advised to carry the following documents in their carry-on bag, as they will need them upon arrival.
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Flight Ticket/Boarding Passes
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Passport with J-1 Visa Stamp
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Original Form DS-2019 and a few photocopies
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I-901 Payment Receipt
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Home Country Driver’s License or International Driving Permit
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Keep copies of your passport and address tags inside each of your check-in bags. In address tags, write both home country and US addresses.
For US address, teacher can use our address:
Teacher Name, c/o Global Scholar Resources, Inc
5400 Laurel Springs Parkway, Building #500, Unit 503, Suwanee, GA 30024, USA
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Home country credit cards which allow international transactions (exchange teachers may have to wait an excessive number of days before getting his/her credit card in the USA)
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Proof of safe driving records in the home country for the past one to three years that can be used when purchasing automobile insurance in the US.
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Birth Certificates or other proof age for the children for school admissions, and the marriage certificate for the spouse
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Supply of medications for the existing medical conditions
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Complete medical records, dental and vision records, the academic records of the dependents to get admission in US Schools.
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Extra pairs of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Know your Salary and Budget:
Salary: The salary of the teacher depends upon the location, the school system, teacher’s qualification and his/her number of years of experience. The J-1 teachers will get their salary only after getting their Social Security Number which will take about a month or two from the date of arrival. That’s why the teachers are advised to bring some money to meet the start-up expenses, until the first paycheck is received.
Paycheck Deductions:
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Federal Withholding* (per W-4) (Use this Estimator)
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State Tax: (Click Here to check)
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Payroll tax (FICA)**: 7.65% (Social Security tax: 6.2% + Medicare: 1.45%)
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Retirement: (Depends on the state and school district)
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Medical Insurance (optional): $80 - $400 per month (provided by host schools)
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State mandated Other Deductions: (Depends on various state policies)
* Teachers from some countries are exempt from the federal withholdings due to the tax treaty between the US and those countries. For more information on this please visit the website: IRS US Tax Treaties Publication 901
** J-1 program teachers will pay the FICA, from the 3rd year of their program.
Budgeting:
For a pleasant life in the USA, financial planning is very important. So, the teachers are advised to be aware of the income and expenses in the USA. Also, teachers must learn how to save money. For this reason, teachers are advised to be familiar with all these components before leaving the home country.
To create a financial plan, there are lots of resources available on the internet.
We show here a few resources:
For Cost of Living: https://www.expatistan.com For Budgeting: Click Here
Fee Type | Payer | Direct Recipient | Cost (USD) | Timing | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DS-160 Visa
Application Fee
| J-1 Teacher | U.S. Department of
State
|
$185 | Prior to visa
interview
|
Non-refundable |
I-901 SEVIS Fee | J-1 Teacher | U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
|
$220 | Prior to visa
application
|
Non-refundable |
Transcript
Evaluation
|
J-1 Teacher | Approved Credential
Evaluation Service
|
$150 - $450 | Prior to U.S.
placement
|
Subject to
provider policy |
GA State Licensure
Pre-Requisite
Ethics Exam
|
J-1 Teacher
|
GA Professional
Standards
Commission
|
$30
|
Prior to U.S.
placement
|
Non-refundable |
Fingerprinting /
Background Checks
|
J-1 Teacher | State/Local Agency
or School District
| $50 - $100 | Prior to
onboarding at
host school
|
Not typically
refundable |
State Licensure
Application
|
J-1 Teacher | State Education
Agency
| $50 - $200 | Before or during
onboarding
| Subject to
agency policy |
Initial Housing and
Settling-In Costs
|
J-1 Teacher | Landlords, Service
Providers, Retailers,
etc.
|
$2,000 -
$4,000
|
Upon arrival in
the US | Not applicable |
Program Mandated
J-2 Dependent
Health Insurance
|
J-1 Teacher
| Global Scholar
Resources, Inc. |
$75/month
per
dependent
|
Billed annually
for upcoming
months of
participation
|
Prorated refund
for unused
months |
J-1 Extension
Beyond Maximum
Duration (3 years)
|
J-1 Teacher
|
Global Scholar
Resources, Inc.
(forward to U.S.
Department of
Treasury Pay.gov)
|
$367
|
Upon third year
completion and
on request by
teacher and host
school
|
Non-
Refundable
|
Form I-765 (for
Optional J-2 Work
Authorization)
|
J-1 Teacher
|
United States
Citizenship and
Immigration Service
|
$470 - $520
|
When applying
for work
authorization
|
Non-
Refundable |
Host School
Sponsorship Fee
|
Host School
District
|
Global Scholar
Resources, Inc.
|
$8,000 -
$10,000 per
teacher/year
|
Per negotiated
Host School
Agreement
|
Governed by
host school
agreement |
Product | Detail |
|---|---|
Housing (Rental) | • One/Two Bedroom Apartment: $1000 - $2000
Renter’s Insurance: $30 - $60, Extended Stay Hotel: $550 - $580 (weekly) |
Food | • Single: $400 - $600, Family: $500 - $900 |
Utilities | $200 - $400 |
Transportation | • Car EMI: $300 - $600, Car Insurance/Gas: $150 - $300, (car repairs/cleaning may incur some expense) |
Cell Phone | $50 - $120 |
Internet | $60 - $80 |
Entertainment/Other | $50 - $100 |
Healthcare Insurance
(mandatory for J1 &
J2 Visa holders) | FREE for the participating J-1 program teacher. Paid by GSR., $75/month/person for dependents, paid by the teacher. |
Medical Insurance
(optional for J1 & J2
visa holders) | Depends upon the coverage options, school district prices and
the insurance company. Teacher will pay for this insurance. |
Advances | Amount |
|---|---|
Housing Advance | $1000 - $3000 |
Utilities Deposit | $200 - $600 |
Car Down payment | It depends on the cost of the car purchase.
(typically, its 10 – 30% of the cost of the car) |
Cell Phone Deposit | $200 - $400 (varies by different carriers) |
Groceries & Food items for the first 2 months | $600 - $1000 |
First month transportation | $200 - $400 |