[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR62.24]

[Page 294-295]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 62--EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart B--Specific Program Provisions
 
Sec. 62.24  Teachers.

    (a) Purpose. These regulations govern exchange visitors who teach 
full-time in primary and secondary accredited educational institutions. 
Programs under this section promote the interchange of American and 
foreign teachers in public and private schools and the enhancement of 
mutual understanding between people of the United States and other 
countries. They do so by providing foreign teachers opportunities to 
teach in primary and secondary accredited educational institutions in 
the United States, to participate actively in cross-cultural activities 
with Americans in schools and communities, and to return home ultimately 
to share their experiences and their increased knowledge of the United 
States. Such exchanges enable visitors to understand better American 
culture, society, and teaching practices at the primary and secondary 
levels, and enhance American knowledge of foreign cultures, customs, and 
teaching approaches.
    (b) Designation. The Department of State may, in its discretion, 
designate bona fide programs satisfying the objectives in section (a) 
above as exchange visitor programs in the teacher category.
    (c) Visitor eligibility. A foreign national shall be eligible to 
participate in

[[Page 295]]

an exchange visitor program as a full-time teacher if the individual:
    (1) Meets the qualifications for teaching in primary or secondary 
schools in his or her country of nationality or last legal residence;
    (2) Satisfies the standards of the U.S. state in which he or she 
will teach;
    (3) Is of good reputation and character;
    (4) Seeks to come to the United States for the purpose of full-time 
teaching at a primary or secondary accredited educational institution in 
the United States; and
    (5) Has a minimum of three years of teaching or related professional 
experience.
    (d) Visitor selection. Sponsors shall adequately screen teachers 
prior to accepting them for the program. Such screening, in addition to 
the requirements of Sec. 62.10(a), shall include:
    (1) Evaluating the qualifications of the foreign applicants to 
determine whether the criteria set forth in paragraph (c) of this 
section are satisfied; and
    (2) Securing references from colleagues and current or former 
employers, attesting to the teachers' good reputation, character and 
teaching skills.
    (e) Teaching position. Prior to the issuance of the Form DS-2019, 
the exchange visitor shall receive a written offer and accept in writing 
of a teaching position from the primary or secondary accredited 
educational institution in which he or she is to teach. Such position 
shall be in compliance with any applicable collective bargaining 
agreement, where one exists. The exchange visitor's appointment to a 
position at a primary or secondary accredited educational institution 
shall be temporary, even if the teaching position is permanent.
    (f) Program disclosure. Before the program begins, the sponsor shall 
provide the teacher, in addition to what is required in Sec. 62.10(b), 
with:
    (1) Information on the length and location(s) of his or her exchange 
visitor program;
    (2) A summary of the significant components of the program, 
including a written statement of the teaching requirements and related 
professional obligations; and
    (3) A written statement which clearly states the compensation, if 
any, to be paid to the teacher and any other financial arrangements in 
regards to the exchange visitor program.
    (g) Location of the exchange. The teacher shall participate in an 
exchange visitor program at the primary or secondary accredited 
educational institution(s) listed on his or her Form DS-2019 and at 
locations where the institution(s) are involved in official school 
activities (e.g., school field trips and teacher training programs).
    (h) Duration of participation. The teacher shall be authorized to 
participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for the length of time 
necessary to complete the program, which shall not exceed three years.