The H-1B work visa offers foreign professionals a three-year temporary work permit that can be extended an additional three years for a total of six years (candidates may be eligible for further extensions). Qualifying visa candidates with HISD receive government approval based on the critical shortage assignment for which they are hired. Therefore, candidates must meet the minimum criteria set by the government and those policies set by HISD to be recommended for the H-1B. 

• A job offer from one of our campuses for a critical shortage assignment 
• A valid standard Texas teaching that is eligible for critical shortage area/content area assignment 
• 2-year effective appraisals and/or work referrals on company letterhead

Candidates who do not meet the requirements mentioned above can obtain sponsorship through admittance into a partner ACP program. Please review the H-1B sponsorship guide on the right for more information. 

Email visa@houstonisd.org for more information about critical shortage areas. 

Yes. Applicants must meet HISD criteria to be eligible for an H-1B visa. Check the eligibility criteria above for details.

No, there is no guarantee. However, both the district and the law firm work collaboratively to pre-screen candidates.

The time spent outside the USA can be added to an employee's H-1B visa to extend their work authorization timeline. (Travel days are excluded and the time must be greater than 24hrs.) 

Houston ISD reviews sponsorship requests from candidates enrolled in one of our partnering Alternative Certification Programs (ACP) below: 

• Region 4 Teacher Certification Program: https://www.esc4.net/teacher
• HISD ACP: https://www.houstonisd.org/acp.

For more information on the HISD's Dual-Language Programs please visit, HISD Dual Language Programs.

Neither the H-1B nor the perm process is a requirement. Both depend upon you meeting policy requirements, maintaining satisfactory performance, the campus’ ability to fund, and the government requirements. 

In accordance with the U.S. Department of State, some exchange visitors with J-1 visas are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. It requires you to return home for at least two years after your exchange visitor program. This requirement is part of U.S. law, in the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(e). If you cannot return home for two years, you must apply for a waiver. The Department of Homeland Security must approve your waiver before you can change status in the United States or receive a visa in certain categories. The district does not provide assistance with obtaining a J-1 waiver for teachers. (Other restrictions may apply).

Out-of-country/Out-of-State applicants with teaching experience can also refer to the TEA evaluation process. Please note that TEA requires candidates to have a U.S. social security number to complete the process. 

Please email J1Program@houstonisd.org for assistance.