CFO reminds Filipino exchange teachers of U.S. home-residency rule

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has reminded Filipino teachers participating in the U.S. Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) to comply with applicable home-country residency requirements, emphasizing their importance in sustaining educational and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and the United States.

During a post-arrival orientation seminar organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, CFO Project Management Division representative Kristine Gacer discussed the two-year home-country physical presence requirement and Filipino educators' responsibilities under the J-1 visa program.

Gacer, who joined the seminar virtually from Manila, emphasized that complying with exchange program conditions helps maintain the program's integrity and supports continued opportunities for Filipino teachers to gain international experience.

Administered by the U.S. Department of State through BridgeUSA, the J-1 teacher exchange program allows qualified foreign educators to teach in accredited U.S. primary and secondary schools for up to three years, subject to possible extensions.

Under Section 212(e) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, certain J-1 visa holders must fulfill a cumulative two-year physical presence requirement in their home country before becoming eligible for specified

U.S. immigration benefits, unless they obtain an approved waiver.

Gacer also explained the Philippine EVP framework, the responsibilities of the inter-agency Philippine EVP Committee, and the conditions governing the issuance of No Objection Statements (NOS) for participants seeking waivers of the residency requirement.

The seminar brought together about 100 Filipino teachers processed by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for the 2026–2027 academic year. Held at the CPS Garfield Park Offices Gymnasium, the orientation provided participants with information on their legal responsibilities, rights, and available government services while in the United States.

Philippine Consul General Melanie Diano delivered the opening remarks, while Atty. Eileen Momblanco of the Filipino-American Lawyers Association of Chicago discussed the legal rights of exchange visitors.

Representatives from the Pag-IBIG Fund and Social Security System (SSS), together with Consul Melvin Almongera, also provided information on social protection programs and government services available to Filipino educators overseas.

As secretariat of the Philippine EVP Committee, the CFO coordinates with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies to implement the Philippine EVP framework, including pre-departure orientation, and registration of exchange participants.

Beyond ensuring compliance with exchange program requirements, the CFO encourages Filipino educators to share the knowledge and experience gained abroad with their communities in the Philippines. These efforts support the broader goal of strengthening the economic, political, and cultural ties of Non-Resident Filipinos (NRFs) with their home country.

The initiative also supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision to make migration a choice rather than a necessity by promoting informed international mobility, professional development, and opportunities for Filipinos to contribute to national development.

About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), an agency under the Office of the President established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, is mandated to promote the interests, well-being, and continued engagement of Filipinos who have established permanent or long-term lives abroad.

Distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which primarily serves Overseas Filipino Workers and other temporary labor migrants, the CFO works particularly with permanent and long-term migrants, expatriates, dual citizens, marriage migrants, their descendants, and people of Filipino descent—all of whom we collectively refer to as Non-Resident Filipinos or NRFs.

The Commission works to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural ties of NRFs to the Philippines while creating opportunities for them to remain connected with and contribute their knowledge, experience, networks, and resources to the country’s development.

For more information, please contact Atty. Jhade Quiamco of the Office of the Executive Director at jcquiamco@cfo.gov.ph.