Should I Resign?

What's the Process?

After getting the US Embassy Approval, the next step is to register with the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO).

One of the requirements to secure a CFO sticker is to submit clearance from your previous employer.

Please check this link to know more about the requirements of the CFO.

It takes about a week or less to process if you have complete documents. When you have the CFO sticker in place, then you should be ready to go. If not, then that will be your bottleneck.

Generally, if a teacher resigns after visa approval, it takes about 2-4 weeks to get clearance from the DepEd Central Office.

You also need to consider the following FACTORS.

1. Late Arrivals

Please see the latest guidelines from the US Department of State:

"This is a reminder that for the upcoming 2022-23 academic year, the Department expects any exceptional delay not to exceed an October program start date. Sponsors with exchange teachers that are unable to start their exchange programs by October 2022 must postpone the exchange visitor's program start date to the Fall of the 2023-2024 academic year."

2. Last minute flights are EXPENSIVE!

3. Your school district's schedule of licensed teachers' 1st day of work or the students' 1st day of school.

Your school district is expecting you to be there on time, but they are also some things they do not have control over. Hopefully, you don't come in too late that they rescind your job offer.

But if they do, you can always reach out to your visa sponsor for another option, most probably, a transfer to another school district in the same state or another state.

As teachers, you know the importance of the first day of school, but there are things that you have no control over too, so it is what it is.

4. Social Security Issues

You should receive your SSN card within two weeks; if they have all your documents to process your application. It may take two additional weeks to receive your card if there are issues. To know more, click here.

This is important to consider because not all school districts allow teachers to teach without an actual social security card.

And waiting could mean no income yet.

5. Application of Teaching License Issue

The application and issuance of your teaching license can also be an issue. Some school districts may not allow you to teach without it.

And it could mean a delay in salary.

6. You are permitted to fly to the US, at most 30 days, before your J1 visa start date.

So, should you resign before the US Embassy approves your visa or not?

Think about the following questions, then decide.

When is your US Embassy schedule?
Do you anticipate running late with the CFO process?
Are you willing to take the risk?
Is your heart ready to resign early and face unemployment or stoppage of years of service, if worse comes to worst?

Teachers, your choices have a price that you have to pay.

How far are you willing to go?

Follow your heart and be accountable for your decision.

God bless!