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)

• New Mexico Initial Teacher License– $150
• Background check through IdentoGO – $59
• Credential evaluations, translations, or other document services: $185- $400.

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 not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

ESTIMATED LIVING EXPENSES WHILE IN NEW MEXICO

The cost of living can vary depending on where you will be living in New Mexico.

Below are averages for a single person and may or may not apply to your planned living situation in the New Mexico.

• • Housing: $1,000 – $3,000
  • Local transportation: $500 – $800

• Food: $600 – $1,000
• Utilities: $150 – $300
• Cell phone: $50 – $100
• Clothing: $100 – $500
• Travel / Entertainment: $250 – $500
• Medical including insurance deductibles: $300 – $600
• Cable and Internet: $50 – 200
• Childcare: $600 – $1,000 (per child)

POTENTIAL WORK-RELATED PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS

These deductions will vary depending upon salary and school district and would be reflected in your current employment agreement.

• Federal and state income tax withholding (required for all J-1 program participants)
• Social Security, Medicare (FICA) ETC.
• Union dues (variable): $50 – $100
• Insurance (See above for J-1 program insurance requirements.

Assistance with:

• Securing a Social Security number.
• Locating house/apartment, driver’s license, vehicle, opening a bank account, identifying local doctors, schools for their children, etc.
• Initial and ongoing visitations with every participating teacher and school system.

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 15^th, and is intended to remain open for the remainder of the year. All letters of no objections issued this year will expire June 30, 2025. Please be advised that organizations will need a letter of no objection 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.

Application for Letters of No Objection in 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.

Letter of No Objection Updates