BridgeUSA NMPED Exchange Visitor Teacher Program

The United States Department of State (USDoS), Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), launched BridgeUSA as the new brand identity for the Exchange Visitor Program. Since its establishment as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (The Fulbright-Hays Act), the Exchange Visitor Program has served as a valuable and important diplomatic tool of United States (U.S.) foreign policy. With the mission “to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries,” the EV Program provides nationals of other countries with opportunities to participate in cultural and educational exchange programs in the US.

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) is the designated sponsor of the state’s J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor (EV) Teacher program.

New Mexico’s Exchange Visitor (EV) Teacher Program, as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that PED holds with both Mexico and Spain, requires that Exchange Visitor (EV) Teacher teach in New Mexico public schools with state bilingual education and/or world (foreign) language programs. Interested teachers from Spain will apply at Embassy of Spain Education Office and teachers from Mexico will apply at La Secretaría de Educación Pública when the notices are posted. Interested teachers from other countries are not currently hosted through this EV J-1 Visa Program.

The purpose of the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor (EV) Teacher program is to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the US and other countries. Specifically, the program allows Exchange Visitor (EV) teachers to sharpen their skills and participate in cross-cultural activities and return home to share their experiences. The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor (EV) Teacher program is not a guest worker program to be used as a method to meet local staffing needs or to displace US teachers.

The Educator Growth and Development Bureau, as a bureau in the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), serves as the state’s EV Teacher Program sponsor and manages the program. Its designated personnel within the bureau serve as the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternative Responsible Officers (AROs). The RO or ARO processes the DS-2019 Forms required for obtaining a J-1 non-immigrant visa, works with districts to place EV teachers, and reports to the US Department of State on the status of the EV teachers.

Exchange Visitor (EV) Teacher compensation must be paid directly by the host district and/or school in which the exchange teacher is placed.

FEES AND LIVING EXPENSES

Sponsorship Fee: $0

US Government Fees:

• I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee: $220 (payable to SEVIS)
• Embassy Fee: $185 (payable when scheduling US Embassy appointment)
• $0 Fees (for the J2 dependents/spouse)

New Mexico Initial Teacher License– $150

Background check through IdentoGO – $59

Credential evaluations, translations, or other document services: $185- $400

Fee for 2-year Extension $367.00

FOREIGN CREDENTIALING AGENCIES

• Academic Credential Evaluation Institute.
• Center for Applied Research, Evaluation, and Education, Inc.
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• International Education Evaluations – They offer discounts and a 5-day turnaround time.
• International Education Research Foundation
• Foundation for International Services, Inc.
• Spantran – They offer discounts and a 10, 5, and 2-day turnaround time.
• World Education Services

Insurance

Medical insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits:

• 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 does not exceed $500 per accident or illness.

Estimated Living Expenses While in New Mexico

Cost-of-Living Estimates: The cost of living can vary depending on where you will be living in New Mexico.

• Food: $ $600 – $1,000 per month, or 10% – 20% of annual household budget.
• Housing: $1,250 – $3,000 per month, or 20% – 30% of annual household budget.
• Transportation: $500 – $1,250 per month, or 10% –20% of annual household budget. Transportation costs are dependent on placement and mode of transportation.
• Utilities: (water, electric, gas, cable/internet, and phone) $500 – $750 per month, or 7% to 10% of annual household budget.
• Childcare: $9,932 annually per child.

Estimated Work-Related Deductions Include:

• Federal tax withholdings: range between 12 – 22% of gross income. Some countries have treaties or trade agreements with the United States, which may exempt teachers from paying federal income tax.
• New Mexico state tax: 7% of gross income.
• Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA): Medicare tax (1.45% of gross income) and Social Security tax (6.2% of gross income). Exchange Visitor teachers are exempt from FICA taxes until they have been in the United States more than two calendar years.
• If an educator elects to join an association or a union, the fees can range from $150 to over $1200 per year.

Activities and Services Provided by the NMPED to Exchange Visitor Teachers:

• Securing a Social Security number.
• Locating house/apartment, driver’s license, vehicle, opening a bank account, finding local doctors, schools for their children, etc.
• Initial and ongoing visitations with every participating teacher and school system.
• Collaborate with New Mexico school districts in evaluating and selecting teachers to work in the State of New Mexico Public Schools.
• Aid visiting teachers in obtaining the necessary visas and authorizations from the United States.
• Secure contracts between the visiting teachers and hosting school districts.
• Verify that visiting teachers will be paid by the participating school district and be provided salaries, and insurance benefits if selected by the visiting teacher, in accordance with the approved salary schedules and benefits options of the school districts.
• The NMPED will not be obligated to cover the costs of transportation for the participating teachers, not the expenses relative to lodging, food, local transportation, utilities, and other personal expenses upon arrival in New Mexico.
• Assure that visiting teachers will participate in all activities for professional development that the school districts offer.
• Assure that the participating New Mexico school districts assign to the participating teachers, upon arrival to the assigned school district, an advisor or mentor who assists the teacher to make all the necessary living arrangements.
• Encourage professional peer interactions, peer observations, and coaching by the participating teacher.

RESOURCES

PROCESS FOR REQUESTING A LETTER OF NO OBJECTION

If you are a sponsor seeking a Letter of No Objection for a J1 Visa, please email the Responsible Officer for information at letter.no-objection@ped.nm.gov.

We are excited to share that the application window is open effective March 15th, and is intended to remain open for the remainder of the year. All letters of no objections issued this year will expire June 30, 2026. Please be advised that organizations will need a letter of designation from the U.S. State Department, which must be submitted as part of the application to be eligible to apply for a letter of no objection from New Mexico.

We hope the new online format will make it easier for your organization to obtain a Letter of No Objection for New Mexico and that, with your collaboration, we can welcome visiting teachers to work with the students of our great state. All guidance can be found linked in the beginning of the application.

Current Holders of NM Letters of No Objection

• Global Education Concepts, Inc.
• GeoVisions, Inc. dba Teacher Lounge
• USA Employment, LLC
• International Alliance Group, LLC
• Intrax

Letter of No Objection Updates