It is very important that you have read and clearly understood the financial aspect of the Exchange Visitor Program. All teachers participating in the IER program are required to act in a financially responsible manner while in the United States. These include understanding any and all fees, costs, taxes, insurance, payroll deductions, living expenses and others that they (IER participants) may incur. Others, means, it could include any additional expenses involving family members who may join you in the U.S. under the J-2 Dependent Visa.
Listed below are the summary of Fees and Expenses that a teacher may incur. Some fees are applied to a certain country, while for others, it is not. The summary cost is for a single J1 participant. Expect the cost to double when family members are included. Use this as a reference to manage your finances. (All fees are subject to change)
| REQUIRED FEE AND EXPENSE – Nonrefundable | ||
| SEVIS | Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Mandatory Fee | $220 |
| US EMBASSY | Application fee for US exchange visa | $160 |
| EDUCATOR LICENSE | Teaching license application fee varies by state | $113-320 |
| CREDENTIAL EQUIVALENCY REPORT | A detail course by course evaluation report required for teaching license varies by NACEs members. | $180-300 |
| FINGERPRINT | US Background clearance check for teaching license varies by state | $27-65 |
| PROGRAM FEE | IER program fee covers up to three years – will invoice host school for payroll deduction | $3150 |
| J1 GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE | Mandatory enrollment to IER J1 group health insurance – will invoice host school for payroll deduction | $1680 |
| FLIGHT TICKET | Varies by departing and arrival | $700 or up |
| DS PROCESS/MAIL | Process and shipping cost of DS form | $200 |
| OPTIONAL FEE AND EXPENSE – Nonrefundable | ||
| MEDICAL EXAM | Some countries may require medical exam before departure | $110 |
| SCHOOL TRANSFER | Refer to transfer policy for approval | $750 |
| SCHOOL TRANSFER WITH PLACEMENT REQUEST | Refer to transfer policy for approval | $1500 |
| PROGRAM EXTENSION APPLICATION | Application to extend the program beyond three years | $367 |
| PROGRAM FEE | Annual program participation beyond three years | $1650 |
| DS FORM REPRINT/MAIL | Reprint DS due to lost or damage | $100 |
| J2 SPONSORSHIP | Annual IER dependent sponsorship per person | $350 |
| J2 INSURANCE | Mandatory J2 health insurance per person | $1680 |
| TRAVEL VALIDATION | Require IER to sign and validate your status for travel outside of the U.S | $100 |
| THIRD PARTY | Third party service fee | $1000 or up |
Moving Costs:
The expenses involved in moving to the U.S are the personal responsibility of exchange teacher. Host school are not obliged to help with moving expenses. The USCIS requires that each candidate must have on hand a minimum of $3000 in order to establish a residence. However, keep in mind that this amount is a minimum requirement and is probably not adequate. Depending on the duty calendar for each district or any unexpected delay of receiving license or social security number, there could be as much as a six-week or longer delay receiving your first pay.
| ESTIMATE MONTHLY COST OF LIVING PER PERSON | |
| Security Deposit for Housing/Utilities (may require for lack of credit history in the U.S. and may be refundable when lease ended) | $500 and up |
| Rent- shared apartment or teacher housing | $200-$600 |
| Rent – live alone or house | $800 and up |
| Internet – depending on bandwidth | $70-$150 |
| Electricity | $50-$200 |
| Water | $50-$100 |
| Food | $250 and up |
| Cell Phone | $80 |
| Child Care – per child | $800 and up |
| Transportation – car loan or lease, gasoline-$3.70/gallon | $400 or up |
| Car Insurance | $50-$100 |
| SALARY DEDUCTIONS: | |
| FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTION | |
| Taxable income between $9,225 – $37,450 for single filing | 15% |
| Taxable income between $37,450- $90,750 for single filing | 25% |
| Standard deduction per dependent | $1000 |
| Social Security and Medicare Withholding
J1 Teachers are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes for the first year and first semester of the second year of their program. Deductions begin in January of your second year of teaching. |
|
| Social Security tax – employee portion | 6.2% |
| Medicare tax – employee portion | 1.45% |
| State Payroll Tax -will vary by state | 6% |
| OTHER DEDUCTION | |
| Teacher Retirement – can request refund on your contribution once no longer teaching at that state. | 6%-12% |
| Retiree Health Care – varies by state | 1% |
| School Health Insurance Plan – general provide for a broader coverage for routine health checkup, dental, vision. | $0-750/mo |
**Teacher salary varies in different States, cities and towns. Generally, salary depends on the years of experience and educational attainment. The school board and district determine the teacher salary.
Other Important Information:
These sites provide more information about cost of living, tax calculations.
http://www.suburbancomputer.com/tips_calculator.php https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/IRS-Withholding-Calculator
Tax Exemption Status:
Some countries have tax treaties with the United States whereby a portion or your entire income is exempt from certain taxes for up to 2 years for first-time exchange visitor teachers. (Be sure to understand what your tax obligations would be after your exemption period expires). We have provided links to the following sites which may help with your research:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z