During the 3rd year of participation in the program, teachers are eligible to apply for an extension of one to two years. Teachers in good standing with the district and the sponsor are submitted to the State Department for consideration of the program extension. Any participant who has pursued a change of status to another visa type is no longer eligible to participate in the Bridge USA J-1 visa program and extensions are generally denied. The purpose of the extension is to allow teachers and Districts, who wish to experience two additional years to continue teaching at their current school. Transfers to new schools or districts during this period are not permitted.
If the current Host School is unable to offer a position –according to the J-1 Teacher Exchange Program’s regulations- the Exchange Visitor will conclude their participation in that year and is expected to depart the United States no more than 30 days after the Program end date as confirmed on his/her DS-2019.
