Illinois State Board of Education
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Benefits of Participating

Exchange teachers sharpen their professional skills and participate in cross-cultural activities in schools and communities in Illinois. Upon returning to their home school after the exchange, they share their experiences, increased knowledge of U.S. culture, customs, and the U.S. educational system.

Program Duration

J-1 teachers may teach in the United States for an initial period of 3 years. Participants may be eligible to extend their teaching timeline for an additional one or two years, subject to final Department of State approval.

DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility

The Form DS-2019, or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status," is the foundational document used to administer the exchange visitor initiative. This form permits a prospective exchange visitor to safely schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain the required J-1 visa to enter the United States.

The DS-2019 certificate is generated and issued directly by approved program sponsors once the prospective exchange visitor has completed rigorous system screening and has been accepted into the active exchange framework.

Mandatory Insurance Requirements

Program participants and their dependents are legally required to maintain comprehensive medical insurance coverage with the following minimum regulatory benefits [22 CFR 62.14]:​

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness 
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000 
  • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000 
  • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness 

Sponsors will verify that each participant’s medical insurance meets the regulatory requirements.

Illinois Teaching Licensure​​

Visiting International Teachers (VITs) are required to apply and be approved for an Educator License with Stipulations for Visiting International Teachers (ELS-VIT) before they begin teaching in Illinois. See details regarding the license below:

ELS-VIT License Overview​

Availability
The ELS-VIT is exclusively available for educators who are active participants in the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Program and reside in Illinois on a J-1 visa.
Validity & Renewal
Valid for 5 Years / Non-Renewable
Core Requirements
  1. Create an account in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) following this guidePDF Document. Make note of your Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN). *If you do not have a Social Security Number yet, you may request a temporary ID number by submitting ISBE Form 83-92BPDF Document and a copy of your offer letter from a school district in Illinois to licensureforms@isbe.net.
  2. Submit a ISBE-approved foreign credential evaluationPDF Document reflecting the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher, completed in an education program for the grade level(s) and/or subject(s) to be taught in the United States. *To be considered official, credential evaluations must be sent directly from the evaluation service provider to the hiring district's Regional Office of Education (ROE) or to ISBE. Most services will offer the option to select ISBE as the recipient from their institution list. If that is not available, please direct the service to provide an official electronic copy via email to transcripts@isbe.net or hard copy by mail to Illinois State Board of Education, Educator Effectiveness - E240, 100 N. First St., Springfield, IL 62777.​
  3. Submit proof of English proficiency through one of the options in the following section below. *Educators may upload their own TOEFL and Cambridge score reports to ELIS as those results can be verified online. Global Seal recipients need to complete part 1 of ISBE Form 83-91PDF Document and send the form to the Global Seal team.​
  4. Complete part 1 of the Application for VIT Endorsement (ISBE Form 73-03FPDF Document) and send to your hiring school district. District will complete part 2, have their district superintendent sign, and submit to their ROE.
  5. Log into ELIS, apply for ELS-VIT following this guidePDF Document, and pay the application fee of $150. After your license is issued, you will need to pay $60 to register your license in the region in which you will teach.
Endorsements Awarded
  • Bilingual education (specific to language(s) of instruction from teacher preparation program(s))
  • World language (specific to language(s) of instruction from teacher preparation program(s))
  • English as a second language
  • Grade level(s) and/or content area(s) of teacher preparation program(s)​

English Language Proficiency Test Options

ELS-VIT applicants must prove English proficiency through one of the following options:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher with major in English or primary language of instruction was English
  • TOEFL iBT
    • Tested before 1/21/26: Reading – 18; Listening – 17; Speaking – 20; Writing – 17
    • Tested after 1/21/26: score of 4 or higher in each section
  • Cambridge English Assessment
    • CEFR scale test result of B2 or higher
  • Global Seal of Biliteracy with “working fluency” level or higher in English​​​

Fees and Cost of Living Expenses

VIT Program Fees

Sponsor fee: None

U.S. federal government fees

  • SEVIS fee: $220 (one-time)
  • J-1/J-2 visa application fee: $185 (per each visa)

English proficiency test fees (varies between exam centers)

Foreign educational credential evaluation: $200–$400

Illinois educator licensure fees

  • ELS-VIT license application fee: $150
  • License registration fee: $60

Host district criminal background check fee: ~$50 

International Partner Fees

Spain: None

Mexico: None

Poland: None

Morocco:

  • International teacher training and preparation – 1,000 Moroccan Dirhams (DHM)
  • TEAM registration fee – 200 DHM
  • Program administration fee – 2,000 DHM

Expected Employee Salary Deductions

Health Insurance

  • Individual: $50–$200/month
  • Family: $500–$2,000/month

Please note that exact costs will vary between host school districts. Please consult your district's HR staff for specific guidance. If you already have a health insurance policy that meets the U.S. Department of State minimum health insurance requirements and covers your health expenses in the U.S., you may opt out of your district's health insurance if you wish.

Teacher's union dues: $50–$60/month (union members only)

Retirement System (TRS) Contribution: ~9% of annual gross income

Illinois State tax: 4.95% of net income

Medicare and Social Security (FICA) tax: 7.65% of gross income

Federal income tax – Please refer to the figures below for the federal tax rates for tax year 2024. Please note that this may not necessarily be your applicable tax rate as there are tax deductions and exemptions you may be eligible for. Please consult irs.gov, your district's HR staff, and/or a tax professional for further guidance.

  • 35% for incomes over $243,725 ($487,450 for married couples filing jointly)
  • 32% for incomes over $191,950 ($383,900 for married couples filing jointly)
  • 24% for incomes over $100,525 ($201,050 for married couples filing jointly)
  • 22% for incomes over $47,150 ($94,300 for married couples filing jointly)
  • 12% for incomes over $11,600 ($23,200 for married couples filing jointly)

Estimated Cost of Living Expenses

Housing rental

  • $800–$1,600/month for studio or 1 bedroom
  • $1,200–$2,000/month for 2 bedrooms
  • $2,000+/month for 3+ bedrooms
  • Additional $220/month in utility bills for electricity/gas/water

Food

  • $500/month per individual adult
  • $1,500/month for family of 4 with 2 children

Local Transportation

  • $800/month (insurance, gas, and maintenance costs for personal vehicle)
    • The vast majority of host districts are in areas easiest to navigate by car. If you plan to purchase a car after arrival, we recommend budgeting an extra $5,000+ depending on the type of car you are interested in buying.

Cell phone and data plan: $50–$150/month

In-home internet: $50–$100/month

Childcare: $10,000–$14,000 per year (based on all-day care for infant to age 4)

These estimates are based on average cost of living data in Illinois and feedback from  VITs. Budgets may vary depending on placement location and personal preference. Your host district can connect you with local resources for housing, transportation, phone/internet, banking, etc. in preparation for your arrival. ​​​

Teachers’ Retirement System

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