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Question regarding J1 Visa Waiver and Change/Adjustment of Status

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline

Thanks for the information! That is very encouraging. I am also in the same boat as you, in the sense that my hardship basis was exceptional hardship for US citizen spouse. I am a Physician engaged in graduate medical education. I actually submitted my DS-3035 in 11/2014 and all my documents were received on 12/18/2014. We delayed our application for I612 until I received my J1 Extension to 6/30/2016 to allow enough time to apply for adjustment of status and be approved, as I have to continue with another medical fellowship starting 7/2016.

I will be filing I-130 / I-485 as soon as this process is approved. What things do you think we should prepare in anticipation for this that could take some time and can be done while we are waiting? Should we file after we get a "favorable" status on the DOS website or just wait till USCIS finalizes the process?

Hi there,

I am a post grad researcher and came here with some government funding, so that is why I could not obtain my J-1 waiver based on no objection. I filed hardship based on my USC child. My program ends July 31st, but I have a job offer with the same company. I am hoping I will be done or at least have new EAD by then.

In anticipation of AOS, the first thing I recommend is do your medical and complete form I-693. You want to make sure that all your vaccines are in order, and also some civil surgeons may take weeks to complete your paper work. Line up your sponsors if you will need a sponsor for affidavit of support. Obtain your translations for all non-English documents. Although this may not be a big deal, but if your birth certificate was registered more than two years after you were born, then, you may want to get affidavits from your parents explaining why and also an earliest available document showing your date of birth and parentage (it can be a school certificate, baptism card or hospital document) .Get all the paper work ready for filing. Are you using an attorney or you will do it yourself?

As far as filing as soon as you get your favorable recommendations, I am kind of a person who like to play it safe, so I waited. However, some people have done it without issues. You would not be denied because of this, they may just request you to bring an approved I-612 at the interview. Since your background check have already been done by USCIS, you will not wait for long after favorable recommendation to receive approval by USCIS.

Adjusting from J-1 Visa

*********J-1 waiver timeline***********************

10/15/2014: filed I-612 with USCIS, and DS-3035 with DOS
10/22/2014: alien reg. number changed
10/30/2014: Dos received my DS-3035 application(posted info online)
12/05/2014: USCIS requested non USCIS advisory opinion
12/10/2014: DOS received I-613 from USCIS
01/16/2015: Favorable recommendation send to USCIS
01/26/2015: USCIS approved my hardship case
02/01/2015: Received hard copy I-612 approval notice

**************AOS timeline*************************

02/27/2015: Filed AOS ( I-130/I-485/I765)

03/04/2015: Received

03/06/2015: Finger print fee accepted

03/13/2015: Received NO1 hard copy( I-130/I-485/I765)

04/11/2015: Received Biometrics Notice---April 24

04/13/2015: Early walk-in biometrics successful

05/12/2015: EAD approved

05/19/2015: EAD card mailed

05/20/2015: EAD delivered

08/21/2015: I-485 interview notice( scheduled 09/24/2015)

09/24/2015: I-485/I-130 interview( approved)

09/30/2015: Greencard ordered for production

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jordan
Timeline

Hi there,

I am a post grad researcher and came here with some government funding, so that is why I could not obtain my J-1 waiver based on no objection. I filed hardship based on my USC child. My program ends July 31st, but I have a job offer with the same company. I am hoping I will be done or at least have new EAD by then.

In anticipation of AOS, the first thing I recommend is do your medical and complete form I-693. You want to make sure that all your vaccines are in order, and also some civil surgeons may take weeks to complete your paper work. Line up your sponsors if you will need a sponsor for affidavit of support. Obtain your translations for all non-English documents. Although this may not be a big deal, but if your birth certificate was registered more than two years after you were born, then, you may want to get affidavits from your parents explaining why and also an earliest available document showing your date of birth and parentage (it can be a school certificate, baptism card or hospital document) .Get all the paper work ready for filing. Are you using an attorney or you will do it yourself?

As far as filing as soon as you get your favorable recommendations, I am kind of a person who like to play it safe, so I waited. However, some people have done it without issues. You would not be denied because of this, they may just request you to bring an approved I-612 at the interview. Since your background check have already been done by USCIS, you will not wait for long after favorable recommendation to receive approval by USCIS.

Thanks for the info! How often does the DOS deny a hardship waiver when the USCIS refers it to them after finding exceptional hardship?

Edited by medicalguy

N-400 Naturalization acpplication

 

 

9/9/2018: 90 day window early application opened. (3 year rule)

9/9/2018: N-400 Application submitted ONLINE. Estimated case completion: November 2019 (14 months).

9/10/2018: NOA

9/15/2018:Scheduled for Biometrics appointment. Scheduled for 10/1/2018

10/1/2018: Biometrics completed. 

4/11/2019: Scheduled for Interview.

5/20/2019: Interview day, APPROVED!

5/30/2019: Oath Ceremony. Officially a US citizen! Time to Vote :D

 

AOS / AP / EAD

 

7/22/2015: Mailed I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765

7/28/2015: Received electronic notification that USCIS has received my case and they are forwarding it to national benefits center.

8/1/2015: Received Hard copy of NOA of all 4 forms by mail.

8/6/2015: Received Biometrics appointment in mail, date 8/20

8/20/2015: Biometrics completed.

8/31/2015: Case updated to Interview scheduled for 10/1/2015

9/1/2015: Received interview letter hardcopy by mail

9/28/2015: EAD / AP Card in production

10/1/2015: Interview completed, unfortunately will need further review...

10/3/2015: Recieved EAD / AP combo card in mail

11/16/2015: Completed first Infopass. J1 file still pending from DOS

12/9/2015: I485 / I130 approved. I-485 updated to "New Card is being produced"!!!

12/14/2015: Received I130/I485 approval / Welcome letter

12/15/2015: Received Green Card in mail!!!!

 

J1 Exceptional Hardship Waiver Timeline:

 

12/18/2014: Form DS-3035 was received by the DOS

11/2014-2/2015: We collected letters of support from Family

2/15/2015: Last DS-2019 was received.

2/27/2015: Sent I-612 + Affidavit and supporting documents (This was sent to California Service Center)

3/4/2015: USCIS received I-612 and sent Form I-797C notice of action in mail which I received later on.

4/9/2015: USCIS requested another non-USCIS advisory opinion for Form I-612

4/14/2015: From I-612 and I-613 were received by the DOS

5/6/2015: DOS: Post input: received,

6/27/2015: DOS decision turned to Favorable recommendation, Recommendation sent on 6/26

7/2/2015: USCIS approved I-612 application online

7/9/2015: Received Hard copy approval in mail

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline

Thanks for the info! How often does the DOS deny a hardship waiver when the USCIS refers it to them after finding exceptional hardship?

A lot of USAID and Fulbright funding recipients have been denied. Also one can be denied if DOS medical review division determines that medical condition of the USC can be well taken care of in the J-1 visa holder’s native country. However, you have competed the biggest hurdle of your life; getting USCIS determine you have a hardship case. I would say, if you do not have any of the above issues there is 99% chance of approval at this point.

Adjusting from J-1 Visa

*********J-1 waiver timeline***********************

10/15/2014: filed I-612 with USCIS, and DS-3035 with DOS
10/22/2014: alien reg. number changed
10/30/2014: Dos received my DS-3035 application(posted info online)
12/05/2014: USCIS requested non USCIS advisory opinion
12/10/2014: DOS received I-613 from USCIS
01/16/2015: Favorable recommendation send to USCIS
01/26/2015: USCIS approved my hardship case
02/01/2015: Received hard copy I-612 approval notice

**************AOS timeline*************************

02/27/2015: Filed AOS ( I-130/I-485/I765)

03/04/2015: Received

03/06/2015: Finger print fee accepted

03/13/2015: Received NO1 hard copy( I-130/I-485/I765)

04/11/2015: Received Biometrics Notice---April 24

04/13/2015: Early walk-in biometrics successful

05/12/2015: EAD approved

05/19/2015: EAD card mailed

05/20/2015: EAD delivered

08/21/2015: I-485 interview notice( scheduled 09/24/2015)

09/24/2015: I-485/I-130 interview( approved)

09/30/2015: Greencard ordered for production

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jordan
Timeline

A lot of USAID and Fulbright funding recipients have been denied. Also one can be denied if DOS medical review division determines that medical condition of the USC can be well taken care of in the J-1 visa holder’s native country. However, you have competed the biggest hurdle of your life; getting USCIS determine you have a hardship case. I would say, if you do not have any of the above issues there is 99% chance of approval at this point.

Thanks. You are extremely knowledgeable for an applicant, almost thought you were a immigration attorney. I am an Alien Physician, neither a fullbright nor US AID, and the grounds for my wife not returning to my J1 country is being a dangerous area for her, rather than just medical condition. Hopefully that makes DOS process straight forward.

I hate to hijack this thread, but I have one more question. I have been legally married to my wife on 8/12/2013. So by 8/12/2015 2 years should have passed. If we start our I-130 / I-485 application before 8/12, would I be given an IR-1 or CR-1 at the time of approval? In other words, what determines conditional vs unconditional permanent residency, and if it is not the application time, at what stage during this process is this determination made? Before the interview, or after the interview, if there is even going to be an interview?

Edited by medicalguy

N-400 Naturalization acpplication

 

 

9/9/2018: 90 day window early application opened. (3 year rule)

9/9/2018: N-400 Application submitted ONLINE. Estimated case completion: November 2019 (14 months).

9/10/2018: NOA

9/15/2018:Scheduled for Biometrics appointment. Scheduled for 10/1/2018

10/1/2018: Biometrics completed. 

4/11/2019: Scheduled for Interview.

5/20/2019: Interview day, APPROVED!

5/30/2019: Oath Ceremony. Officially a US citizen! Time to Vote :D

 

AOS / AP / EAD

 

7/22/2015: Mailed I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765

7/28/2015: Received electronic notification that USCIS has received my case and they are forwarding it to national benefits center.

8/1/2015: Received Hard copy of NOA of all 4 forms by mail.

8/6/2015: Received Biometrics appointment in mail, date 8/20

8/20/2015: Biometrics completed.

8/31/2015: Case updated to Interview scheduled for 10/1/2015

9/1/2015: Received interview letter hardcopy by mail

9/28/2015: EAD / AP Card in production

10/1/2015: Interview completed, unfortunately will need further review...

10/3/2015: Recieved EAD / AP combo card in mail

11/16/2015: Completed first Infopass. J1 file still pending from DOS

12/9/2015: I485 / I130 approved. I-485 updated to "New Card is being produced"!!!

12/14/2015: Received I130/I485 approval / Welcome letter

12/15/2015: Received Green Card in mail!!!!

 

J1 Exceptional Hardship Waiver Timeline:

 

12/18/2014: Form DS-3035 was received by the DOS

11/2014-2/2015: We collected letters of support from Family

2/15/2015: Last DS-2019 was received.

2/27/2015: Sent I-612 + Affidavit and supporting documents (This was sent to California Service Center)

3/4/2015: USCIS received I-612 and sent Form I-797C notice of action in mail which I received later on.

4/9/2015: USCIS requested another non-USCIS advisory opinion for Form I-612

4/14/2015: From I-612 and I-613 were received by the DOS

5/6/2015: DOS: Post input: received,

6/27/2015: DOS decision turned to Favorable recommendation, Recommendation sent on 6/26

7/2/2015: USCIS approved I-612 application online

7/9/2015: Received Hard copy approval in mail

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline

Thanks. You are extremely knowledgeable for an applicant, almost thought you were a immigration attorney. I am an Alien Physician, neither a fullbright nor US AID, and the grounds for my wife not returning to my J1 country is being a dangerous area for her, rather than just medical condition. Hopefully that makes DOS process straight forward.

I hate to hijack this thread, but I have one more question. I have been legally married to my wife on 8/12/2013. So by 8/12/2015 2 years should have passed. If we start our I-130 / I-485 application before 8/12, would I be given an IR-1 or CR-1 at the time of approval? In other words, what determines conditional vs unconditional permanent residency, and if it is not the application time, at what stage during this process is this determination made? Before the interview, or after the interview, if there is even going to be an interview?

Thanks @medicalguy.That's a huge compliment. I am lay person with no legal background whatsoever, however, I filed my own J-1 hardship waiver. So during the course, I did a lot of research. You will received IR-1…there is no need to worry about conditional residency if your marriage is 2 years old at the time of green card approval( basically at the interview time).

Adjusting from J-1 Visa

*********J-1 waiver timeline***********************

10/15/2014: filed I-612 with USCIS, and DS-3035 with DOS
10/22/2014: alien reg. number changed
10/30/2014: Dos received my DS-3035 application(posted info online)
12/05/2014: USCIS requested non USCIS advisory opinion
12/10/2014: DOS received I-613 from USCIS
01/16/2015: Favorable recommendation send to USCIS
01/26/2015: USCIS approved my hardship case
02/01/2015: Received hard copy I-612 approval notice

**************AOS timeline*************************

02/27/2015: Filed AOS ( I-130/I-485/I765)

03/04/2015: Received

03/06/2015: Finger print fee accepted

03/13/2015: Received NO1 hard copy( I-130/I-485/I765)

04/11/2015: Received Biometrics Notice---April 24

04/13/2015: Early walk-in biometrics successful

05/12/2015: EAD approved

05/19/2015: EAD card mailed

05/20/2015: EAD delivered

08/21/2015: I-485 interview notice( scheduled 09/24/2015)

09/24/2015: I-485/I-130 interview( approved)

09/30/2015: Greencard ordered for production

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Filed: Country: Brazil
Timeline

Saw the favorable recommendation this morning! Woot.

May 29th, 2015 - Sent AOS package

June 1, 2015 - Package received by USCIS

June 4, 2015 - Biometrics Fee Accepted

June 20, 2015 - Biometrics Appointment Letter Received

June 30, 2015 - Biometrics Appointment

August 6, 2015 - I-131 approved

August 6, 2015 - Your card was ordered

August 7, 2015 - I-765 approved

August 20, 2015 - EAD received

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline

Great! Congratulations!

Saw the favorable recommendation this morning! Woot.

Adjustment of Status Timeline from J1 Visa

05/13/2015 - Sent I-485/I-130/I-765/I-131 to USCIS.

05/18/2015 - Received I-797 NOA with Receipt Numbers.

05/25/2015 - Received Biometrics appointment letter

06/10/2015 - Biometrics Appointment done

06/15/2015 - Received RFE letter dated 6/9/15

07/08/2015 - Sent reply to RFE

07/14/2015 - USCIS confirmed receipt of our reply to RFE

07/25/2015 - I-131 AP approved

07/27/2015 - I-765 EAD approved

08/04/2015 - USCIS sent EAD/AP

08/05/2015 - Received EAD/AP approval notice
08/14/2015 - Received EAD/AP card

12/03/2015 - Interview scheduled for January 8, 2016

01/08/2016 - Interview. I-485 AOS approved

01/10/2016 - I-485 and I-130 approval notice mailed

01/12/2016 - 'New Card' was mailed

01/15/2016 - Received Green Card.

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  • 5 months later...

Hello All,

In March 2015 my J-1 waiver (I-612) application was received by USCIS. My waiver application is based on exceptional hardship to my US Citizen spouse. From all the forums I had read online, I got the impression that it was best to file my case with the USCIS first and let them determine exceptional hardship. If and when USCIS makes favorable recommendation, then I could go ahead and file DS-3035 with the DOS. However , more recently my case status on USCIS says the following " USCIS has requested a non-USCIS advisory opinion on your case and is awaiting response. Your case is on hold until then."

I have no idea what this means? Does this mean that the case has been sent to the DOS? Should I now file with DOS? But I don't know what the USCIS recommendation is ...Please if you know anything, help me clarify.

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  • 1 month later...
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Iraq
Timeline

A lot of USAID and Fulbright funding recipients have been denied. Also one can be denied if DOS medical review division determines that medical condition of the USC can be well taken care of in the J-1 visa holder’s native country. However, you have competed the biggest hurdle of your life; getting USCIS determine you have a hardship case. I would say, if you do not have any of the above issues there is 99% chance of approval at this point.

I am not a full bright student but i came in an exchange program from iraq and this program was funded by the U.S Department of state ECA/EC

USCIS forward my papers to DOS and DOS sent sponsor views on NOV 16th 2015. Is there any chance that the U.S department of state will send a favorable recommendation on my behalf ? or there is no chance ?

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Iraq
Timeline

Hello All,

In March 2015 my J-1 waiver (I-612) application was received by USCIS. My waiver application is based on exceptional hardship to my US Citizen spouse. From all the forums I had read online, I got the impression that it was best to file my case with the USCIS first and let them determine exceptional hardship. If and when USCIS makes favorable recommendation, then I could go ahead and file DS-3035 with the DOS. However , more recently my case status on USCIS says the following " USCIS has requested a non-USCIS advisory opinion on your case and is awaiting response. Your case is on hold until then."

I have no idea what this means? Does this mean that the case has been sent to the DOS? Should I now file with DOS? But I don't know what the USCIS recommendation is ...Please if you know anything, help me clarify.

I Had a similar case to yours.

This means that you need to file your DS application through the DOS. ITs an online application that you can do.

best of luck

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Older thread, with a more recent hijack post and replies to it, is now closed to further comment.

Those with recent questions should please start a thread dedicated to those queries.

VJ Moderation

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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