Checklist for Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Petitions

Private Schools

  1. University diploma(s) from teacher, with transcript.
  2. Education evaluation if university degree awarded outside of United States.
  3. Teaching experience letter(s), if available.
  4. Letter from petitioner explaining its education requirements for teachers, indicating whether certification by the state is required, and describing  the qualifications of its other teachers.
  5. Alternative:  Letter from private school association about education requirements for teachers OR from educators re: same.
  6. Alternative:  State information re: licensure of schools or of acceptance of students graduating from or attending school.
  7. Note:  Montessori school requirements may vary widely but completion of a Montessori training program in and of itself is not equivalent to a university degree.

Public Schools

  1. University diploma from teacher in field of education or other subject, with evaluation if required.
  2. State education agency teacher certification OR evidence of acceptance into alternative certification program or emergency certification program of state education agency.
  3. Letter from petitioner or contract of employment; letter always preferable.
  4. NOTE:  If teacher is in alternative certification or emergency certification program, visa will be approved only for one year at a time; usual completion time for alternative certification is 2 years.
  5. NOTE:  Prevailing wage for public school teachers is determined by state mandated salary levels tied to education, experience, and special qualifications, which makes a SESA prevailing wage determination of little value for a public school district.