J-1 Visa Teaching Jobs
Teaching positions in the United States are available to international educators through the J-1 visa Teacher program category, which requires sponsorship from a U.S. Department of State-designated organization. Your DS-2019 is issued by the sponsor, not your school district host, and most J-1 teachers are subject to a two-year home residency requirement.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar - School of Information Science
Requisition Number: DU15126
Department Name: 8M300: Center for Instructional Communication
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $50,000 / year
Type of Position: Temporary
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education
Ph.D. in Communication or a related area.
Required Related Experience
NA
Required License/Registration/Certification
NA
Physical Requirements
Present in a classroom; regular use of computer
Shift
Per course schedule
Job Summary
The School of Information Science (SIS) in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar in Communication with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027.
Qualifications/Responsibilities: Duties include teaching up to eight courses in the academic year and working with a faculty mentor on a special project during the summer months. Courses will include required courses for undergraduates in composition and communication (CIS 110 Composition and Communication I, CIS 111 Composition and Communication II, CIS 112 Accelerated Composition and Communication, as well as business communication (CIS 300 Strategic Business and Professional Communication).
Each course has a course coordinator who develops the base course syllabus and Canvas shell for use by all instructors. Additionally, ICR has a Program Coordinator who helps support all faculty.
The twelve-month contract begins January 1, 2027, and ends December 31, 2027; the contract may be renewed for one additional year. A Ph.D. in Communication or a related area, earned within the past two years, is required by the time the appointment begins. Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Application: To apply, please complete this application and include the following attachments: A letter of application (attach as cover letter), a curriculum vita, evidence of teaching excellence (attach as specific request 1), and contact information for three references (attach as specific request 2). Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Assistant Director of the School, Dr. Will Buntin, will.buntin@uky.edu.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 11/30/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar - School of Information Science
Requisition Number: DU15126
Department Name: 8M300: Center for Instructional Communication
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $50,000 / year
Type of Position: Temporary
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education
Ph.D. in Communication or a related area.
Required Related Experience
NA
Required License/Registration/Certification
NA
Physical Requirements
Present in a classroom; regular use of computer
Shift
Per course schedule
Job Summary
The School of Information Science (SIS) in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar in Communication with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027.
Qualifications/Responsibilities: Duties include teaching up to eight courses in the academic year and working with a faculty mentor on a special project during the summer months. Courses will include required courses for undergraduates in composition and communication (CIS 110 Composition and Communication I, CIS 111 Composition and Communication II, CIS 112 Accelerated Composition and Communication, as well as business communication (CIS 300 Strategic Business and Professional Communication).
Each course has a course coordinator who develops the base course syllabus and Canvas shell for use by all instructors. Additionally, ICR has a Program Coordinator who helps support all faculty.
The twelve-month contract begins January 1, 2027, and ends December 31, 2027; the contract may be renewed for one additional year. A Ph.D. in Communication or a related area, earned within the past two years, is required by the time the appointment begins. Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Application: To apply, please complete this application and include the following attachments: A letter of application (attach as cover letter), a curriculum vita, evidence of teaching excellence (attach as specific request 1), and contact information for three references (attach as specific request 2). Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Assistant Director of the School, Dr. Will Buntin, will.buntin@uky.edu.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 11/30/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Teaching
Verify your teaching credentials transfer
Your home-country teaching license and transcripts must be evaluated by a credential assessment body before U.S. school districts will review your application. Many districts require a degree equivalency letter confirming your qualification meets state licensure standards.
Target districts with documented J-1 histories
School districts that have previously hosted J-1 teachers under the Teacher category already have relationships with designated sponsors and understand the DS-2019 process. Use Migrate Mate to identify Teaching roles at employers with J-1 sponsorship track records.
Distinguish your sponsor from your host employer
Your J-1 sponsor, a State Department-designated organization, issues your DS-2019 and monitors your exchange program compliance. Your school district is the host. Clarify this structure early with hiring contacts so no one conflates sponsorship obligations with standard employment paperwork.
Confirm subject-area shortages align with your specialty
J-1 Teacher placements are most common in shortage subjects: STEM fields, special education, and bilingual instruction. Matching your certified subject area to a documented local shortage significantly strengthens both your host employer's case and your visa application.
Get your DS-2019 issued before your contract start date
Your designated sponsor must issue the DS-2019 in time for your consular appointment, which happens before you enter the U.S. Allow at least 60 to 90 days between signing your host district offer letter and your intended program start date.
Plan around the two-year home residency requirement
Most J-1 teachers are subject to INA section 212(e), requiring a two-year return to your home country before changing to most other visa statuses. Confirm whether a waiver applies to your situation before accepting a multi-year district contract.
Teaching J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers K-12 teaching positions?
The Teacher category applies specifically to educators coming to teach full-time at accredited primary or secondary schools in the U.S. It is distinct from Short-Term Scholar or Professor categories, which cover higher education and academic visits. Your school district host arranges the placement, but a State Department-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and administers your exchange program.
How do I find U.S. school districts that accept J-1 teachers?
Search for Teaching roles on Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers that align with J-1 sponsorship. Districts with prior J-1 hosting experience are generally faster to move through the placement and DS-2019 issuance process, since they already have established sponsor relationships and understand the program compliance requirements.
Does my school district employer file any paperwork with USCIS?
No. The J-1 Teacher category does not require a petition with USCIS. Your designated sponsor organization handles DS-2019 issuance directly with the State Department. Your district host signs a training or placement agreement with the sponsor and provides your offer letter, but USCIS is not involved in the J-1 process.
What is the two-year home residency requirement and can it be waived?
INA section 212(e) requires most J-1 teachers to return to their home country for two years after the exchange program before applying for H-1B visa, L-1 visa, or immigrant visa status. Waivers are available through a no-objection statement from your home government, a request from a U.S. government agency, or a hardship claim, but approval is not guaranteed and the process takes time.
Can I switch school districts or subjects mid-program on a J-1 Teacher visa?
Any change to your host employer, subject area, or program dates requires an amendment to your DS-2019 from your designated sponsor before the change takes effect. Moving to a new district without updating your DS-2019 violates the terms of your exchange program and can affect your visa status. Contact your sponsor promptly if your placement changes.