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Has anyone received any j1 waivers recently (like within the pass 3 weeks?)

19 hours ago, Andyandy said:

Thank you !!!!!!! I had notified them of my address change, but they actually still sent my waiver to my previous address !! Thanks so much for the tip, it was a life saver ! Annina85 I hope it could help you too ! 

You're welcome. May I ask how long did it take from USCIS sending the 797 to you getting the waiver approved? (which date was on the mailed letter).

On ‎10‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 2:34 PM, Andyandy said:

Hi, I am pretty desperate, below is my timeline. I haven't heard from USCIS and when I call them they can not find my application....what do you suggest me to do ?? Thanks !

 

Hey Andyandy seems its seem quite some time(about 4 months since the letter was sent), are you in the US (if so did you change your address and can you get the mail from the old address if you have).  When you call USCIS did you try calling both Vermont and California? I would also get my senator or congressmen involved at this time. Its very possible that your waiver has been approved but you aren't receiving the mail. goodluck

10 hours ago, j1waiver2018 said:

They may require it or not. Not all applicants are subject to background checks or biometric services. From their form I-612 Instructions: "USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application, petition, or request. After USCIS receives your application and ensures it is complete, we will inform you in writing if you need to attend a biometric services appointment."

Thank you I appreciate you taking the time to respond

Does all I-612 j1 waiver form undergo background check with the USCIS or only some applicants?

On ‎10‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 11:39 AM, fabi_c said:

Hi! 

Just to update you, I received the USICS approval on my mail last Friday, October 12th. 

In the end my timeline was like this:

1. DOS took 11 weeks 

2. USICS received my docs from DOS on Sept. 26th

3. Received approval from USICS on Oct. 12th.

 

PS.: USICS online status not updated yet!! 

hello fabi_c seems USCIS approved your waiver quickly. Did you get any help from Senators/Congressman, did you expedite it or file for h1b premium processing the same time with just the DOS approval? I'm on a similar timeline as you and wondering when I should start expecting anything. (for me its only been 2 weeks so far so still very early).

Also I realize from others that the USCIS online log in may not be as updated but does calling and inquiring give the most updates info? (will the they see if a case was approved right away or are they also delayed)? Thank you for your help and congrats!

maybe I am not fully understanding of the procedure I received DOS recommendations (after 2 weeks of completed app) and it was fwd to USCIS. I emailed DOS and they replied that my recommendation was sent to Vermont processing center.  So what exactly happens at this point. Is USCIS going to give a j1 waiver recommendation and H1b petition separately? I thought that the USCIS gives a I-797 form and I present that form to the embassy in my country for stamping (i'm out of the US and using consulate process). Does my lawyer decide where my application is sent? I thought that the DOS automatically send it themselves.  If possible can anyone clarify the USCIS step for obtaining a j1 waiver and getting an h1b visa. thank you

Are you sure the H1B petition was filed at Vermont? Aren't you filing the waiver petition first?

My case is similar to yours. My employer is a qualifying cap exempt institution, entity or organization. But at the east coast. So, if it was a matter of location, my case would be filed at Vermont. I'm still waiting for the DOS recommendation, then proceeding to UCSIS waiver petition and my plan was to file a H1B premium processing petition together with the waiver one. Then I read the news about the extinction of the premium processing for those cases and then I wonder myself if it was possible to file it in California. I know it's possible to transfer between SCs but I just don't know if our cases apply. I did some research and found this on Quora https://www.quora.com/How-does-one-decide-on-which-USCIS-service-center-application-for-H1B-transfer-or-otherwise-needs-to-be-sent-to. The reply sent this link https://www.uscis.gov/i-129-addresses. And according to this later link "H-1B petitions that are exempt from the cap because the employer is cap exempt or because the beneficiary will be employed at a qualifying cap exempt institution, entity or organization. All cap exempt petitions, including extensions with the same employer and no change in job duties, must be filed with the California Service Center." 

So I am puzzled!! I would recommend you go and talk to the department in your institution responsible for filing the H1B petition and ask them if it's possible to file it at California. if you learn anything about it, come and share it because I also want to know! I'm going to talk to my office in 2 weeks or so and see want can be arranged about it.

Edited 40 minutes ago by j1waiver2018

36 minutes ago, j1waiver2018 said:

Seems I do not qualify as my employer is cap exempt BUT filed at the Vermont center. How are the filing centers that the waivers go to decided? is it the nearest center and is there anyway to request a transfer from one center to the other in order to undergo premium processing? I guess I will have to try expedite as an option.

 

Hi,
According to this website here https://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-extends-and-expands-suspension-premium-processing-h-1b-petitions-reduce-delays, beginning Sep. 11, 2018 suspension of H1B premium processing expanded to include additional H1B petitions. 

The suspension does not apply to:

1. Cap-exempt petitions that are filed exclusively at the California Service Center because the employer is cap exempt or because the beneficiary will be employed at a qualifying cap exempt institution, entity, or organization; or
2. Those petitions filed exclusively at the Nebraska Service Center by an employer requesting a “Continuation of previously approved employment without change with the same employer” (Box b. on Part 2, Question 2, Page 2 of the current Form I-129) with a concurrent request to:
   1. Notify the office in Part 4 so each beneficiary can obtain a visa or be admitted. (Box on Part 2, Question 4, Page 2 of the current Form I-129); or
   2. Extend the stay of each beneficiary because the beneficiary now holds this status. (Box c. on Part 2, Question 4, Page 2 of the current Form I-129).
      
      So first, Institutions and Employers are cap-exempt, not employees, or scientists, or physicians. If the Institution or Employer(s) that are hiring you are cap-exempt, then your case is cap-exempt. Second, was your petition filed before Sep. 11 2018? And by petition I mean H1B premium processing petition, not the waiver case? In fact, waiver and H1B premium processing petition *can* be filed together. If so, you don't have to worry. Now, if your employer is not cap-exempt, or you haven't filed a petition yet, and you're not filing it at the California Service Center, OR your case is not a continuation case filed at Nebraska, then you can not file for premium processing. Just read above. More information you can find on the website.
      
      Good luck!

Hey guys I'm new here. I have a Conrad 30 j1 physician waiver which was recently approved by the DOS and sent to USCIS -Vermont (yet to receive the USCIS NOA).  My question is, are j1 waiver physicians cap exempt employee still eligible for premium processing ?

Hey guys I'm new here. I have a Conrad 30 j1 physician waiver which was recently approved by the DOS and sent to USCIS -Vermont (yet to receive the USCIS NOA).  My question is, are j1 waiver physicians cap exempt employee still eligible for premium processing ?