Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Hi there,

Hoping somebody could give me as much advice as possible for somebody wishing to relocate to Florida as a teacher.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

if you can get a job offer the employer files for the visa

state school could not afford the cost unless you are an unusual specialist
but there are many unemployed teacher already in the US

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Are you an American citizen or are you married to one? If not does either of you have a Green Card or visa to work in the US? It is extremely doubtful that teaching would lead to a US visa. Many teachers are out of work and teachers are still being laid off due to the economy.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Primary/Elementary? Middle/Junior high? Secondary/High school? What degrees do you have? How much experience do you have? It's difficult to give advice, when you make such an open and nebulous comment.

Ian

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

I am qualified to teach Physics and Maths up to Grade 12. I would be looking to teach high school. Neither of us are US citizens.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Out of interest...why Florida?

Try private schools...they may have the funds to arrange a visa for you and they do tend to like British accents.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Well at least you've got desirable subjects! The route is possible but will take a lot of effort and some luck to get you over. Confining your search to Florida is reducing your chances of success.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

How much would all the VISAs cost? I would be looking to permanently relocate and become a citizen.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Okay -- you can't just buy a visa to live here and come and teach. Well you can, but it requires capital of at least half a million down on the table before you even start. Have you got that sort of dosh?

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Your employer would pay for the visa. Take a read through this...it is also worthwhile reading through other sections of the Wiki re the US.

Even though Maths and Science are desirable subjects...your chances of getting a school district to go to the time and trouble of sponsoring you is very slim. Especially as there are thousands of US teachers out of work. On the other hand...the private schools my daughter went to used to send a delegation all over the world looking for teachers. Admittedly the economy was in better shape then.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Visa applications cost half a million?

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Something tells me this thread is going to be fun. I'll get the popcorn.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

No, you miss understood. fatbrit said that you can "buy" a visa for half a million. It's an investment visa.

A visa to work here as a teacher, will however cost your employer several thousand dollars. If your husband is coming over too he will either have to get a visa in his own right or come on the back of yours which opens up a whole other can of worms.
Usually H1B visas are used in your scenario and if he comes in on the back of that and gets an H4 visa he won't be able to work.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Oh at least some mini eggs.....

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

The little piglets devoured them all within seconds of getting up (at noon!)

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

So basically a visa application done personally will cost me thousands of dollars? Am I best to get an immigration attorney or get outside help? I am in liaison with the Florida Education Board so was hoping you could all give me some advice from your own personal experiences. I am weighing up my options and seeing whether it is viable/worth the hassle.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

No...it will cost your employer thousands of dollars. The employer must get the visa ball rolling and they must pay for it.

A question to ask yourself...why would they do that when there are thousands of USC teachers that have been laid off and are looking for work?

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

As Jerseygirl already suggested:

READ THIS!

...AND THIS!

...then perhaps you'll have a better starting point from which to ask specific questions.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

An employer-sponsored visa to citizenship might run like this:
1/ the employer sponsors you for an H1b and you can work at the school
2/ the employer further sponsors you for residency and you become a permenant resident. At this stage you are no longer tied to your employer and there is no clock counting down to your leaving.
3/ After 5 years as a permenant resident, you naturalize as a US citizen.

Important points to above:
1/ The employer usually foots the bill. Expect it to cost them $5k to $10k.
2/ This is at the whim of the employer. Sensible people get it written into their contracts. Some employers expect contributions from their employee. Expect the total bill to be $10k or more.
3/ Your choice and usually quite DIY. Expect to fork out $500 to $1000 for the whole thing.

But if you want to just "buy a visa" half a million bucks on the table will buy you residency and place you at step 2.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Yes I would also like to know.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

probably cos I and Shamu live there

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Everybody and their dog wants to move to Florida...why? :confused:

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Apart from the Ray and Shamu factor :confused:

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

I have always asked and wondered that about the people who come on here and want to move to Florida. I've only been there once, a week in January and it was ok. But, I've heard that its terribly warm in the summer, extremely high humidity and bugs galore! So I will join in again and ask why?

Although I'm beginning to think its what Ray has suggested....:nod::D

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Why do I feel victimised for asking a question on a forum? Surely the raison d'etre for this forum is to share experiences and advice.

Thank you kindly to those of you who have given my things to think about. It appears as though I will have to cross Florida off my list given that I am highly unlikely to be considered against a US citizen of similar standing.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

Sorry if our comments about Florida offended you. We get many people each week asking about moving to Florida. The US is a huge country...why not broaden your outlook...rather than choosing a state with high unemployment? You mentioned that you are liaising with the Florida Education Board maybe they can offer you something.

Edit: Unfortunately you have chosen one of the hardest countries to move to...have you considered Canada or Australia?

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

You're not shacked up with that bloody whale again, are you? It'll come to no good - you mark my words.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

That's great, but there are still some questions left unanswered. I asked them, because a potential employer is more likely to want someone with 10 years experience vs someone with no experience. Further, most high schools require that you have a Master's degree (and many will specifically require a Master of Arts in Teaching), although just about any Master's degree will do.

Ian

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

I am always slightly surprised by people who come on here asking very basic questions, which usually could be answered by clicking on the Really Really read me link but seem to have spent many many years doing research to obtain their qualifications.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

That's great, but are you state certified to teach in that state?

Basically you can realistically expect your chances of getting a visa to teach in the US as zero, unless you are at the university level.

If you're read the wiki and can say yes to any of the other visa routes, your chances will improve.

Re: Relocation and Teaching in Florida
 

The same will likely apply in the other 49 states too. This isn't a good time to be a public (state) school teacher in the US, given the number who are being laid off due to state budget woes. You do have your subject expertise in your favour, but unless you can find a private school willing to sponsor a visa for you, your prospects of moving to the US are slim.