H1 visa for elementary teachers

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palaks2000

New Member
I have completed my masters in elementary education USA and have completed licencure requirements of VA. My question is how can I get H1 visa? Do public schools sponsor H1 visa directly or have to go through placement agencies. Anyone has gone throuh this issue and can guide me further.
 
I'm just a teacher - this is my experience

My experience:

Since the school year has a definite start (ours starts in August), it is difficult to "line up" the start of an H1B with a school year, I started out as a substtute teacher and moved into full time later. That way, the school district "hired" me, willing to wait for my H1B to go through and I started working pert time as a sub when it did. When a full time position came available, I got it.
 
H1 visa for teacher

Thanks a lot for your reply!
In public schools, can a particular school hire me and sponsor me for H1 visa or it has to go through district or county. Because in Fairfax, VA I came to know that fairfax county do not sponsor foreign teachers so do you think I should panic or try with public schools and they can help me?

And my second question is have you heard of any placement agencies or teaching agencies helps you in getting your H1 or J1 visa? Do you suggest me trying all this stuff or straight start as a sub in public school and then talk with school in personal later on when they see my work.

Please guide.
Thanks
Palak
 
Elementary teacher

I don't know how it works there, but most schools are governed by a larger school district. You will have to find a school district williing to go through the process with you. I filled out all of the paperwork myself, had the superintendent read and sign it. I paid the fees myself (public schools are exempt from the huge I-129 fee) by purchasing a money order and having the Superintendent sign it. In my experience, you have to "sell" the idea to your superintendent and make it easy for him/her.

Perhaps, with Premium Processing, you could accept a full-time job and have everything get approved in time for the start of the school year. That wasn't so in my case, so I worked as a sub first.

I don't know of any placement agencies. They may exist - I don't know.

I would start as a sub. You can always easily transfer to a different school district if an appropriate opening comes up later, too.
 
H1 visa for teacher

Thanks!
Do you know whether we teachers come under H1 B visa quota or we can file anytime when the school is ready?

Thanks
Awaiting response!
palak
 
teachers on H1B

When I started in 2001, we were counted in the quota. I don't know if that has changed. I do know that nationally, teaching is one of the top 10 shortage areas in the US. More jobs available than people to fill them. Unfortunately, it is not on the "official" shortage list, so I don't think there are any exceptions to the quota. I could be wrong - check around to find out more.

Most school districts are needing substitutes all year - I think you should try to get a subbing job ASAP and get your I-129 in quickly, so you don't get left out because the quota has been reached.
 
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