Can Teachers Get Green Cards in Palm Beach Gardens?

For many years, Florida has been struggling with a teacher shortage – and some say the best way to address this issue is to welcome foreign teachers into the Sunshine State. In the fall of 2025, the school year began with 5,000 unfilled teaching positions. This eventually improved by the middle of the school year, but there were still thousands of unfilled positions. If you have the necessary qualifications to teach in American schools, you might be wondering how easy it is to pursue a green card. Could an immigration lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens help?

Many Teachers Have Used Their Qualifications to Secure Green Cards 

If you’re thinking about using your teaching qualifications to live and work in the United States, you’re not the first to come up with this idea. Many other teachers have successfully leveraged their experience and degrees to successfully obtain green cards. Some (including Canadian teachers) say that they received higher pay compared to their home nations, with better benefits and often a lower cost of living.

 The J-1 Visa Could Be the Best Option for Teachers 

The J-1 visa is the most obvious choice for foreign teachers who want to live and work in the United States. With this visa, you can teach at primary or secondary schools in Palm Beach Gardens – or any other part of the country. The United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs explains this program and its requirements in detail.

First, you must be qualified to teach at primary or secondary schools in your home country. You must also be currently working as a teacher in your home country when you file your application. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, along with two years of teaching experience. Finally, you must be proficient in the English language.

The J-1 visa lets you stay in the country for three years, making it similar to many work visas in the United States. However, you can also apply for a two-year extension during your third year of teaching – and you could stay in the country for up to five years on a single visa. You can also repeatedly participate in the J-1 visa program, as long as you take a two-year break in your home country.

EB Visas Could Be More Appropriate for Permanent Teaching Positions

 You might also consider an EB-2 or EB-3 visa if you’re pursuing a permanent teaching position in the United States. If you find an appropriate school in Palm Beach Gardens that wishes to hire you, they may sponsor your application and allow you to live in the United States long-term. This might even lead to citizenship down the road.

Can an Immigration Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens Help Me Get a Green Card? 

Due to notable teacher shortages in Florida and across the United States, qualified teachers may find it easier than others to pursue green cards. However, this process could still be challenging, and you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens. To learn more about your next potential move, contact The Devore Law Group today.

Sources: 

j1visa.state.gov/programs/teacher/

teacherscouncil.com/eb2-3-visa/#:~:text=International%20teachers%20having%20a%20permanent,for%20an%20EB%2D3%20visa.