Teach or train
in the U.S.
Get ready to start your global teaching journey.
Program Fees
Pre-arrival Fees
Fees teachers may incur prior to arrival in the United States.
No fees are charged until after you receive an offer letter from a U.S. school district.
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
Pre-Departure Services Fee
Includes all Teacher Lounge services prior to arrival: advising, interview preparation seminar, document preparation, orientation seminar, courier services, and all other pre-departure services.
$2,500
$250 – Non-refundable deposit, paid after being hired by a U.S. school district.
$2,250 – Balance, paid 30 days prior to arriving in the U.S.
Not applicable to teachers applying through a Teacher Lounge Overseas Agency Partner.
Teacher Exchange First Time Program Sponsorship Fee
Includes all Teacher Lounge program sponsorship services
$3,500
$750 – Non-refundable deposit, paid after being hired by a U.S. school district.
$2,750 – Program Fee balance, paid after visa approval.
Teacher Exchange First Time Program Sponsorship Fee
Same as above, but with payment plan
$4,000
$1,250 – Non-refundable deposit, paid after being hired by a U.S. school district.
$2,750 – Payment Plan in monthly installments, paid while on the program.
Teacher Exchange with
Overseas Agency
First Time Program Fee
$4,000 – $11,000
Program Fee if you decide to apply through a local agency.
Costs vary by agency and depend on what items the teacher includes in partner services*.
Pathways Training Program
Compulsory 20-hour course for first-time J-1 teachers to bridge the gap between teaching in home country and the U.S.
$1,500
Billed on May 1 prior to arrival (first year teachers only)
Housing and Arrival Services Fee (optional)
Optional fee for teachers that would like Teacher Lounge assistance in securing housing and managing arrival.
$2,500-
$4,000
Varies based on region of the U.S.
Includes sourcing and identification of housing, facilitating communication with property owner/landlord, housing deposit, first two months of rent, basic furnishings/cookware, and pickup from the airport and transport to housing.
Foreign Credential Evaluation
$200 – $400
Amount depends on number of transcripts evaluated and service provider chosen by teacher.
SEVIS Fee
$220
Paid to the Department of Homeland Security.
Visa Appointment Fee
$185
Paid to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
International Flights
$800 – $2,000
Varies greatly depending on port of departure and entry.
Initial Expense Fund
$3,000
Please bring funds to cover your first month(s) of expenses prior to receiving a paycheck.
This amount does not include housing costs.
We’ve summarized and grouped the amounts above for you to be fully informed, but please be aware that these are based on averages and might be subject to change due to several variables.
*Teachers are not required to enroll through a third-party agency to participate.
Program Associated Fees
Fees to be paid to Teacher Lounge for changes or additions to your program:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
Monthly Program Support Fee
$59
Collected monthly for the duration of the program.
Annual Renewal Fee
$1,500
Paid to Teacher Lounge in the spring of each year for the following school year.
Transfer Fee
$750
Due if approved to change host school placements after arrival.
Extension Fee for 4th, 5th year
$567
Paid directly to the U.S. Department of State.
J-2 Dependent Fee
$750 + $20 per month for program support
Per dependent, maximum of $40/month. Must be a spouse or child under 21 years of age.
Initial Insurance for J-2 Dependent
$270
Dependent insurance for the first 90 days J-2 is in country.
Dependent will need to be added to the teacher’s insurance policy following the initial 90 days.
Post-arrival Fees
Job-related expenses teachers might incur upon program start:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
State Certification
/Licensure
Estimated range of $70 – $170
Amount depends on the state; please check your state’s Department of Education website.
State Licensure Exams
Estimated range of $60-$250
Costs of state licensure exams vary greatly depending on state and subject matter, and may not be required in all states.
Criminal Background Check
$60 – $160
Varies by location.
Taxes and other Fees
Job-related expenses teachers might incur upon program start:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
School Insurance
May opt-in per school policy
We encourage teachers to enrol in school plans, which are more comprehensive than emergency coverage.
Cost varies greatly depending on which school plan you choose and whether you have family joining you.
Teachers should budget a minimum of $150-$300 per month for the school’s insurance policy.
Optional Insurance
(If necessary)
$29.90-
$49.90
/month
Teachers may be required to purchase a supplemental plan if their chosen health insurance does not meet program regulations, such as dianins.com.
Federal and State Income Tax
Average of 10 – 15% of gross pay
Not all states have a state income tax.
We recommend checking here: Paycheck Calculator.
FICA, FUTA
Average 8% of Salary
Teachers on the J-1 Visa program are typically subject to FICA and FUTA taxes after the first two tax calendar years in the U.S.
In most cases, these payments will begin January 1 of your second year on program.
Please note that a teacher will need to begin paying these taxes right away if the teacher was in the US previously on an F, J, M, or Q Visa.
Retirement Benefits
0% – 8.25%
Your host school may allow or require participation in their investment program for retirement.
Please check your job offer and speak with your school principal during the interview about these details.
Union Fees (if applicable)
Average annual cost of $400
Your offer letter will include whether or not union membership and thus dues are required, as well as confirm the cost.
Cost of Living Expenses
Average cost of living expenses:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
Rent
$800 – $2,500
per month
Factors include city, house or apartment, number of bedrooms, number of people sharing accommodation.
Transport-
ation
$250 – $500
Factors include bus or car transportation, gas, car payment.
Food & Groceries
$750 – $1,000
Based on grocery budget.
Childcare
(Age 0 – 5)
Avg. $700
per month
Full-time daycare can be very expensive and can vary greatly depending on location. https://www.
epi.org/child-care-costs-in-the-united-states/#/TX
After school care
(Age 5 – 12)
Avg. $174 – $261
per week
Some schools offer after care for students at school until 6 pm.
According to Care.com’s 2022 Cost of Care Survey, parents paid part-time, after-school sitters an average of $261 per week for one child.
After-school sitters made an average of $17.40 per hour. https://www
.care.com/c/
how-much-to-charge-after-school-child-care/
Utilities
Avg. of $400 per month for a house
May be less if in an apartment. Includes electricity, air-conditioning, trash, water, etc.
Please note that some cities require cash deposits for utilities in the absence of a credit file.
Cable and/or Internet
Avg. of $70 – $100 per month
Depends on the plan you select.
Phone
Avg. of $60 – $100 per month
There are many plan options to suit your needs and budget.
Entertain-
ment
Avg. of $200 per month
Depends on what you like to do in your free time – sports tickets, events, movies, etc.
There are many plan options to suit your needs and budget.
Overseas Agency Partners
Teacher Lounge has an agreement in place with these overseas partners.
Please reach out to them to inquire about their services.
Please note that all our partners may have different inclusions and optional extra services.
It is very important that the pricing of all the fees is transparent.
Please never accept a placement without a full written disclosure of a breakdown of fees; mandatory fees, required fees and optional fees.
Country
Partner
Colombia
India
Jamaica
Peru
Romania
Ecuador
USA
Japan
Pre-arrival Fees
Fees teachers may incur prior to arrival in the United States.
No fees are charged until after you receive an offer letter from a U.S. school district.
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
Pre-Departure Services Fee
Includes all Teacher Lounge services prior to arrival: advising, interview preparation seminar, document preparation, orientation seminar, courier services, and all other pre-departure services.
$2,500
$250 – Non-refundable deposit, paid after being hired by a U.S. school district.
$2,250 – Balance, paid 30 days prior to arriving in the U.S.
Not applicable to teachers applying through a Teacher Lounge Overseas Agency Partner.
Teacher Exchange First Time Program Sponsorship Fee
Includes all Teacher Lounge program sponsorship services
$3,500
$750 – Non-refundable deposit, paid after being hired by a U.S. school district.
$2,750 – Program Fee balance, paid after visa approval.
Teacher Exchange First Time Program Sponsorship Fee
Same as above, but with payment plan
$4,000
$1,250 – Non-refundable deposit, paid after being hired by a U.S. school district.
$2,750 – Payment Plan in monthly installments, paid while on the program.
Teacher Exchange with
Overseas Agency
First Time Program Fee
$4,000 – $11,000
Program Fee if you decide to apply through a local agency.
Costs vary by agency and depend on what items the teacher includes in partner services*.
Pathways Training Program
Compulsory 20-hour course for first-time J-1 teachers to bridge the gap between teaching in home country and the U.S.
$1,500
Billed on May 1 prior to arrival (first year teachers only).
Housing and Arrival Services Fee (optional)
Optional fee for teachers that would like Teacher Lounge assistance in securing housing and managing arrival.
$2,500-
$4,000
Varies based on region of the U.S.
Includes sourcing and identification of housing, facilitating communica-tion with property owner/
landlord, housing deposit, first two months of rent, basic furnishings/
cookware, and pickup from the airport and transport to housing.
Foreign Credential Evaluation
$200 – $400
Amount depends on number of transcripts evaluated and service provider chosen by teacher.
SEVIS Fee
$220
Paid to the Department of Homeland Security.
Visa Appointment Fee
$185
Paid to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
International Flights
$800 – $2,000
Varies greatly depending on port of departure and entry.
Initial Expense Fund
$3,000
Please bring funds to cover your first month(s) of expenses prior to receiving a paycheck.
This amount does not include housing costs.
We’ve summarised and grouped the amounts above for you to be fully informed, but please be aware that these are based on averages and might be subject to change due to several variables.
*Teachers are not required to enroll through a third-party agency to participate.
Program Associated Fees
Fees to be paid to Teacher Lounge for changes or additions to your program:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
Monthly Program Support Fee
$59
Collected monthly for the duration of the program.
Annual Renewal Fee
$1,500
Paid to Teacher Lounge in the spring of each year for the following school year.
Transfer Fee
$750
Due if approved to change host school placements after arrival.
Extension Fee for 4th, 5th year
$567
Paid directly to the U.S. Department of State.
J-2 Dependent Fee
$750 + $20 per month for program support
Per dependent, maximum of $40/month. Must be a spouse or child under 21 years of age.
Initial Insurance for J-2 Dependent
$270
Dependent insurance for the first 90 days J-2 is in country.
Dependent will need to be added to the teacher’s insurance policy following the initial 90 days.
Post-arrival Fees
Job-related expenses teachers might incur upon program start:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
State Certification
/Licensure
Estimated range of $70 – $170
Amount depends on the state; please check your state’s Department of Education website.
State Licensure Exams
Estimated range of $60-$250
Costs of state licensure exams vary greatly depending on state and subject matter, and may not be required in all states.
Criminal Background Check
$60 – $160
Varies by location.
Taxes and other Fees
Job-related expenses teachers might incur upon program start:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
School Insurance
May opt-in per school policy
We encourage teachers to enroll in school plans, which are more comprehen-
sive than emergency coverage.
Cost varies greatly depending on which school plan you choose and whether you have family joining you.
Teachers should budget a minimum of $150-$300 per month for the school’s insurance policy.
Optional Insurance
(If necessary)
$29.90-
$49.90
/month
Teachers may be required to purchase a supplemen-tal plan if their chosen health insurance does not meet program regulations, such as dianins.com.
Federal and State Income Tax
Average of 10 – 15% of gross pay
Not all states have a state income tax.
We recommend checking here: Paycheck Calculator.
FICA, FUTA
Average 8% of Salary
Teachers on the J-1 Visa program are typically subject to FICA and FUTA taxes after the first two tax calendar years in the U.S.
In most cases, these payments will begin January 1 of your second year on program.
Please note that a teacher will need to begin paying these taxes right away if the teacher was in the US previously on an F, J, M, or Q Visa.
Retirement Benefits
0% – 8.25%
Your host school may allow or require participation in their investment program for retirement.
Please check your job offer and speak with your school principal during the interview about these details.
Union Fees (if applicable)
Average annual cost of $400
Your offer letter will include whether or not union membership and thus dues are required, as well as confirm the cost.
Cost of Living Expenses
Average cost of living expenses:
Type of fee
Range (USD)
To consider
Rent
$800 – $2,500
per month
Factors include city, house or apartment, number of bedrooms, number of people sharing accommo-
dation.
Transport-
ation
$250 – $500
Factors include bus or car transportation, gas, car payment.
Food & Groceries
$750 – $1,000
Based on grocery budget.
Childcare
(Age 0 – 5)
Avg. $700
per month
Full-time daycare can be very expensive and can vary greatly depending on location. https://www.
epi.org/child-care-costs-in-the-united-states/#/TX
After school care
(Age 5 – 12)
Avg. $174 – $261
per week
Some schools offer after care for students at school until 6 pm.
According to Care.com’s 2022 Cost of Care Survey, parents paid part-time, after-school sitters an average of $261 per week for one child.
After-school sitters made an average of $17.40 per hour. https://www
.care.com/c/
how-much-to-charge-after-school-child-care/
Utilities
Avg. of $400 per month for a house
May be less if in an apartment. Includes electricity, air-conditioning, trash, water, etc.
Please note that some cities require cash deposits for utilities in the absence of a credit file.
Cable and/or Internet
Avg. of $70 – $100 per month
Depends on the plan you select.
Phone
Avg. of $60 – $100 per month
There are many plan options to suit your needs and budget.
Entertain-
ment
Avg. of $200 per month
Depends on what you like to do in your free time – sports tickets, events, movies, etc.
There are many plan options to suit your needs and budget.
Overseas Agency Partners
Teacher Lounge has an agreement in place with these overseas partners.
Please reach out to them to inquire about their services.
Please note that all our partners may have different inclusions and optional extra services.
It is very important that the pricing of all the fees is transparent.
Please never accept a placement without a full written disclosure of a breakdown of fees; mandatory fees, required fees and optional fees.
Country
Partner
Colombia
India
Jamaica
Peru
Romania
Ecuador
USA
Japan
