All J-1 visa applicants must pay the $220  I-901 fee here.   Print the receipt to take to your interview. This fee is paid only for the TEACHER (not any dependents).

You will need your SEVIS number, which starts with the letter N and can be found in the upper right corner of your DS 2019 document.

This application will take more than an hour to complete, so be sure to set aside plenty of time.

1. Review the information on the Department of State Web Site for the DS-160, and read the Frequently Asked Questions 
2. Navigate in your web browser to Complete the DS-160. You will need to select the embassy location in your home country or current country of legal residence where you will apply for the visa.
3. Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
4. Pay the visa application processing fee of $160 per person. Review country-specific instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
5. When payment is complete, please print a copy of the payment confirmation to bring along to your appointment, and also send a copy to Sagamore via email.
6. Once payment is confirmed, you must schedule a visa interview appointment. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you. (See next tab called Your Embassy Appointment)

There are instructions and FAQs available as you are working through the application.  You will need to pay visa fees for everyone who is included in the application (the teacher and any dependents that you are bringing with you).

Here are some helpful resources:

Information about the DS-160

DS-160 Frequently Asked Questions

DS-160 Application Instructions in Spanish

Step By Step Video

There are some answers that can be found by looking at your DS2019.  For your address in the US, you can use our office address, which is toward the middle of the form.  Your SEVIS number is in a box in the upper right (it starts with an N) and our program number is in Box 2 and starts with a P.

Your estimated date of arrival needs to be after June 1, and the estimated date of departure will be June 30 after your third year of teaching.

Be sure to print or save the confirmation page when you are finished!

Schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early.

In some instances, the first available appointment may not be for a few weeks, a few months, or even after your program start date. Schedule the first available appointment and check the embassy calendar on a daily basis for new openings as people cancel, embassies open up more slots, and earlier time slots become available.

Each US Embassy has a process for requesting an emergency or expedited appointment. You can only request this AFTER you have been assigned an interview date. To request the expedited appointment, most locations ask you to enter some basic information (Name, DOB, DS 160 Confirmation Number) and a reason for your expedited request. You should write something like this, “I am a J-1 Exchange Teacher and I have been asked to report to my new teaching position by (DATE) and I am requesting an expedited J-1 visa interview.” In some cases you can attach documents to support your request, and you should attach your DS 2019 and your job offer letter. If your request for an expedited appointment is denied, please email us.

Follow all instructions and complete all mandatory information. Hold on to all emails from the embassy about what to bring to your appointment.

Make sure to set all your social media accounts to “public” before your embassy appointment. Part of the screening process now is a social media review and it will be required for them to be public in order for them to process your application. Your social media accounts are subject to monitoring by the State Department for the duration of your program. 

Here is a link which outlines the process and requirements for the visa interview.  The link includes a tool that can help you estimate the wait time for embassy appointments.

To schedule the interview, you will need your SEVIS number, which starts with the letter N and can be found in the upper right corner of your DS 2019 document. You will also need the program number, which is in Box 2 and starts with a P.  You are applying for a J-1 Teacher visa. You will also need a mailing address in the US and you can use our address (it is printed on the middle of the DS 2019) and our phone number. You will also need the school’s mailing address, which is on your offer letter.

Once you have signed an offer letter and have received your DS2019 from Sagamore, please complete the virtual orientation on the page linked below.

Orientation Page

Please read the Wilberforce Pamphlet prior to your interview (they may ask you about this). There is a copy linked here, or you can go to this website to read a copy in your native language.

There is a lot more information in the pamphlet, but see a summary below.

You have the right to:

• Be paid fairly
• Be free from discrimination
• Be free from sexual harassment and sexual exploitation
• Have a healthy and safe workplace
• Request help from union, immigrant, and labor rights groups
• Leave an abusive employment situation

If you are mistreated, you may call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (within the US), text HELP to 233733 (within the US) or email nhtrc@polarisproject.org.

Trained specialists are available to help in more than 200 languages.  Learn more at www.traffickingresourcecenter.org.

Download and read this welcome brochure from the State Department.  It contains important information for your stay in the US.

Here is the State Department contact information:

ADDRESS:
U.S. Department of State
Office of Private Sector Exchange
State Annex SA-4E
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

WEBSITE:
https://eca.state.gov/about-bureau/organizational-structure/office-private-sector-exchange

EMAIL:
jvisas@state.gov.  (non-emergency issues, questions and concerns)

EMERGENCY HOTLINE: 1-866-283-9090
This line is for use by exchange visitors and third parties in the case of urgent situations.  If you are mistreated and/or your rights are violated, and your sponsor is not providing the help you need, contact the Department of State for assistance.  A Department of State representative is available 24 hours a day.

The visa is printed inside the passport.  The visa is a teacher’s entrance into the U.S. In some cases the expiration date on the visa will be different than the program end date on the DS2019. The program end date on the DS2019 is the important date. The DS2019 determines your legal status in the U.S.  In some rare instances, the visa will expire before the DS2019 Program End date. You can remain in the U.S. as long as you are within your DS2019 dates. If a teacher leaves the U.S. with an expired visa, they will need to renew that visa with an embassy visit, prior to reentry. You are fine to be in the U.S. on an expired visa as long as their DS2019 Program End date has not passed.

After your visa has been issued, you can book your flight to the US!

When you arrive in the US, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will review your travel documents (passport, J-1 visa, and original DS-2019 form) and ask about your planned stay in the US. It is important that you inform the CBP officer that you will be a J-1 exchange visitor. Be prepared to provide the name of the host organization (SAGAMORE) and the address for your program (REFER TO YOUR DS2019 FOR YOUR SCHOOL ADDRESS).

As part of the enhanced entry procedures, CBP officers will scan both of your hands with an inkless device and take a digital photograph of you. The CBP officer will use this information to determine whether or not to admit you. These enhanced procedures will only take a few seconds.

Please visit CBP’s website for travel tips, a travel smart checklist, and a list of prohibited and restricted items, as well as information on what you must declare when entering the US.

If you will be entering the US by air or sea, CBP officials will scan your passport to create an electronic arrival record (Form I-94). Once the electronic record is created, you will need to print a hard copy of the I-94 arrival form. The electronic form can be accessed at www.cbp.gov/I94.

After a successful inspection, the officer will stamp your passport and annotate the date of admission, class of admission, and admitted until date. For J-1 programs, this stamp should list J-1 as the class of admission (or J-2 in the case of dependents) and D/S (Duration of Stay) as the admitted until date. Before you leave the CBP counter, please review the admission stamp to verify that all of the recorded information is correct. If not, return to the officer to complete or correct.

Renters usually pay a security deposit before moving into the home. The deposit is generally equal to one month’s rent. If the home is clean and in good condition when you move out, then you will get your deposit back.  If not, the landlord may keep some or all of your deposit to pay for the cleaning or repairs. Be sure to pay attention to the lease requirements if you have pets ( if pets are allowed, an extra deposit may be required).

Inspect the house or apartment before you move in. Tell the landlord about any problems you find. Before you move out, ask your landlord what you need to fix or clean to receive all of your security deposit back.

Be aware that most rental housing will require you to have renters insurance, which protects your personal belongings in the case of damage or theft, and covers living expense if the place your are living in is damaged or destroyed. You can shop around to get quotes from more than one local insurance provider before puchasing insurance. Some apartment complexs may have deals to get renters insurance through them and it would be included in your rent.

You sign a rental agreement (lease) if a landlord/rental agency agrees to rent to you. A lease is a legal document. When you sign a lease you agree to pay your rent on time for a specific length of time. Most leases are for one year, although sometimes you can find a lease for a shorter period of time.

You will likely have the opportunity to pay your rent online. However, if you decided to make a rent payment with cash, make sure you get a receipt from the landlord/property manger.  If you do not, there is no proof you paid and you could be charged again.

Ending a rental agreement is called “terminating your lease”. If you need to terminate your lease earlier than expected, you may have to pay the monthly rent until the end of the lease even if you are not living there. You also may lose your security deposit if you leave before the end of the lease. Before you move out, give your landlord/rental agency written notice that you are moving out. Most landlords require at least 30 days advanced notice before you want to leave. Before you sign the lease, make sure you understand its terms and ask how much notice you are required to give before moving out.

Your lease will explain the consequences for failure to meet the agreements (not paying your rent on time, breaking rules, etc.). Be familar with the rules so that you don’t experience penalties!

For some houses or apartments, the rent payment includes the cost of utilities such as gas, electricity, water, etc. For other rentals, you must pay separately for those expenses. When you are looking for housing, ask the landlord if any utilities are included. If utilities are included, make sure this information is in your lease before you sign it. If utilities are not included, find out how about much they will cost before signing the agreement.

The cost of some utilities will be more in the summer (air conditioning) or in the winter (heat).

Your home or apartment should always have working smoke detectors and working carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The batteries will need to be changed about twice a year to make sure that they are working. These are important to keep you and your family safe in the event of fire or carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so you will not know that it is in your home without a detector.

Do not leave young children at home alone.  If you work and your children are too young to go to school, you need to find someone to watch them while you are at work.  Sometimes school-aged children need someone to watch them after school.  

Choosing someone to care for your children is an important decision.  As you consider the options, think about the quality and cost of care.  

There are many good resources you can use to find a good child care provider.  Ask other parents, friends and co-workers who they have caring for their children.  Some states have a child care referral agency that can give you a list of state-license child care programs.  Licensed child care programs meet specific requirements set by the state for the protection of your children.  

You have a number of choices in child care providers, such as:

• A relative or friend from your home country comes on a B visa to help with your children (B visa visitors may NOT earn money in the US)
• A caregiver comes to your home to watch your children
• Your child is cared for in someone else’s home with a small group of other children
• Child care centers located in schools, churches, faith-based organizations and other places
• Government programs such as Head Start, which provide services to families that are eligible

When making a child care decision, ask for references, ask other parents/friends, and visit the space to see the care that children are receiving.

It is a good idea to find a primary care doctor in the US who can care for the general health needs of you and your family AND who accepts your insurance.  Ask friends and co-workers for recommendations and use any online tools from your insurance provider to find a primary care provider.  Call the doctor’s office and ask if they are taking new patients and confirm whether or not they accept your health insurance.

Your insurance may not cover the cost of every visit or every procedure.  Be sure to ask questions before you agree to care, and read your insurance information carefully so that you understand the limits and benefits.  Your insurance may have “co-pays” that need to be paid at each visit or “deductibles” that are paid by you before the insurance pays for medical expenses.

Once you have established a primary care doctor, you can use the doctor for both preventive visits (sometimes called “well visits”) and for visits when you are ill.  When you go to the doctor’s office for an appointment, you will want to arrive on time and always take your insurance information and a picture ID.  

The US Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires certain vaccinations before a visa is issued.  You may have been required to have vaccines before coming to the US.  Your children will also need to provide proof that vaccines are current when enrolling for school.  

When you or someone in your family is sick, you have many choices for care.  Here are the most common:

1. Your primary care doctor (this is a good place to start when you are sick).
2. A virtual doctor – Sometimes your insurance will provide the option of visiting with a doctor virtually (online).  This can often be a less expensive and efficient way to receive care, especially on evenings or weekends.
3. An Urgent Care Center – these are clinics that you can visit (often without an appointment) for most routine illnesses or small injuries (ear infection, stitches, etc.).  Urgent Care Centers have many locations and are generally open daytime, evenings and weekends.
4. An Emergency Room – a hospital emergency room is the best place for care in the event of a life-threatening emergency (heart attack, stroke, severe pain).  Be aware that this can be a very expensive place to seek care, so reserve this option for true emergencies.  Emergency Rooms are open 24/7.

For a true medical emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Identity theft means someone has stolen your personal information such as your social security number or bank account numbers.  This is a serious crime.  Protect yourself by:

• Safeguarding your personal information (credit card numbers, social security number, passwords) and do not provide this information over the phone.  Keep your social security card at home in a safe place (not in your purse or wallet).
• If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft, call the police and report it.  If you believe that your bank account has been compromised or you lose a credit card, call your bank immediately.
• Never click on a link in an email that is from someone you do not know.  Do not open or download attachments from someone you do not know.  When in doubt, call the sender or send a separate email to verify that the email was legitimate.  
• Microsoft and Apple will never contact you directly regarding the health of your computer.  Do not allow anyone claiming to be Microsoft or Apple access your computer remotely or give them your financial information.
• The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and other government agencies will send you a letter in the mail if they need to contact you.  They will not call you on the phone or ask for personal information (your social security number or bank information) or threaten you. 
• Review credit card and bank account statements when you receive them to watch for unauthorized charges. 

Many cities have local libraries that are accessible to the public and offer more than just books. Check out your local public library for computer and Internet access, newspaper and magazine collections, movies and DVDs, free classes, book clubs, and quiet meeting spaces.

You will have to apply for a library card to check out materials.  The card will be free as long as you live within the area.  You may need to provide a drivers license and a utility bill to show that you are a resident.

Materials can be borrowed for a period of time.  Return them before the end of the loan period to avoid late fees.  Librarians are great resources to help find books or materials for you and your children on any topic.

Most cities have a local US Post Office that you may visit to weigh letters/packages, purchase postage stamps and buy shipping supplies.  The US Postal Service website, www.usps.com, contains detailed information regarding delivery options and current postage rates.  You may also use this site to request that your mail be “held” while you are away on vacation.  At the end of your vacation, you can either pick up your mail at the post office or they will deliver it all to you.

You may want to sign up for the Post Office’s informed delivery service.  This is a free service that will send you an email every day with information about letters or packages that are being delivered to you.

To send or receive mail or packages, you will need the right amount of postage AND a proper address.  A proper address includes the STREET NUMBER AND NAME, THE CITY, THE STATE AND A ZIP CODE.  When you mail a letter or package, also include your return address so that it can be returned to you if it cannot be delivered.  Scroll to the bottom of this page to see a picture of a properly addressed envelope.

Never send cash in the mail because it could be lost or stolen.  If you need to send a payment in the mail, use a check or a money order.  When you mail a letter or package at the post office, you can pay additional fees to have the package insured, to add a tracking number, or to require a signature from the recipient.

If you move, you can fill out a form on-line or at the post office to change your address.  This will make sure that any mail addressed to you at your old address gets forwarded to your new address for a period of time.  Remember that you also need to update your address with us within 10 days of a move!

Teachers in the US will pay income taxes to the federal government, in most states and in some localities.  If you are getting a social security number for the first time and have never lived or worked in the US, you will be considered a non-resident for tax purposes for the first two years.  As a J-1, you will be exempt from some of the taxes that US citizens pay during the time that you are a non-resident.  Once you have filed taxes in the US for two years, you may be considered a resident for tax purposes and this will change the tax forms that you need to fill out.

Income taxes in the US are taken out of your paycheck (withheld) and when you file an annual tax return, you can either receive a refund (if too much was withheld) or owe more money to the government (if too little was withheld).  Your school office can help you fill out the forms correctly so that the right amounts will be withheld.  Filing your taxes correctly and on time is expected of all exchange visitors.

Non-resident tax returns cannot be completed using popular on-line tax software.  While you are a non-resident for tax purposes, Sagamore recommends using Sprintax,  and we provide teachers with a discount code each year.  The cost to prepare a simple tax return is around $75 (depends on the number of forms used).  The process is entirely online.

In January of your third calendar year in the U.S. you will be considered a resident and can file your taxes using popular tax preparation software.

Need more information?  We have a page with the details that you will need linked here.

We encourage you to travel and experience the US as time and your budget allow while you are an exchange visitor!  There are many free or low cost things to see and do all across our country.  We encourage you to explore cities and rural areas, parks and recreation areas, museums and monuments.

The National Park Service has many resources available for finding things to do and see.  Your state likely has many state, county and local parks and attractions as well.  

You are allowed to travel back to your home country while you are in the US on a J-1 visa.  Your DS2019 will need to be signed by us for travel each year, and we provide an easy process for that.  Your travel home should correspond with school vacations and you should not be out of the US for more than 30 days.  Be sure that you have a current travel signature on your DS2019 before leaving the country.

When you travel, whether inside the US or outside of the US, be sure to take your passport and your DS2019 with you!  Your DS2019 may be folded and placed inside your passport, alongside your visa.

Weather in the United States varies widely, depending on the region.  Many states experience all four seasons, while other areas are mostly cold or mostly warm.  Check a website such as weather.com to determine the climate in the area where you will be working or visiting.  All climates can be enjoyed with the right clothing and preparation!

Some areas of the US may experience extreme weather from time to time (fire, flood, tornado, hurricane).  Do some research and talk to your co-workers to learn about the precautions to take in the event of a weather emergency.  Local media outlets generally have up to date information during a weather event.  Many communities have warning systems that issue a siren if shelter is needed because of severe weather.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can provide employees in the US with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for things like having a baby or caring for a sick family member.  If you are ill and unable to work, or need to care for a family member, check with your school HR office to see if this is an option for you.  This is UNPAID leave, and there are other requirements that need to be met in order to qualify.  

Here are some of the reasons that could qualify for FMLA: 

• For the birth and care of the newborn child of an employee;
• For placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care;
• To care for an immediate family member (i.e., spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
• To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

Here is a link to a helpful guide for employees. 

Human Trafficking:

There are almost 28 million victims of this type of exploitation, with specific estimates at 17.3 million exploited in the private sector, 6.3 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and 3.9 million in forced labor imposed by state. Other terms used to describe it include “trafficking in persons” and “modern slavery.” In the US, we recognize two forms: forced labor (when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the labor or services of another person) and sex trafficking (when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in a commercial sex act or causes a child to engage in a commercial sex act).

The key principles related to both forms of trafficking: Consent, Movement, Debt Bondage, Non-Penalization, State-Sponsored Human Trafficking, Unlawful Recruitment or Use of Child Soldiers, Accountability in Supply Chains. The “4P” paradigm—prosecution, protection, prevention and partnership—continues to serve as the fundamental framework used around the world to combat human trafficking. Here is a link to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). 

Some signs to watch for:

• dressed inappropriately for the time or event
• appears fearful, anxious, or nervous/paranoid
• avoids eye contact
• shows signs of physical or sexual abuse
• does not or is not allowed to speak for themselves
• does not respond when asked questions
• appears malnourished
• has few or no personal possessions.

Some possible questions to ask someone who you suspect may be trafficked:

• Where do you eat and sleep?
• Are you sleeping in a bed, on a cot, or on the floor?
• Have you ever been deprived of food, water, sleep or medical care?
• Are you required to ask permission for physical necessities?
• What are your working and living conditions like?
• Are you able to come and go as you please?
• Can you leave your working situation if you want?
• Are there locks on your doors and windows so you can’t leave?
• Are you allowed to talk to people outside your home or job?
• Has anyone ever physically harmed you?
• Have you been threatened if you try to leave home or work? Has anyone ever threatened your family?
• Has your identification or documentation been taken away?
• Is anyone forcing you to do anything you don’t want to? Have you been forced to have sex or perform sex acts?

Most schools, banks and government offices close on national public holidays.  The US Postal Service does not deliver mail on these days.

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Day (January 15)
• Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)