Amoyar_Dever

@qwopqwop @Rianna @Rimssk

DoS issued FR, and electronically forwarded the case to Vermont Service Center on May 12, 2022. No "Receipt Notice" or "Receipt Number" as of today. Contacted the USCIS representative. He couldn't locate my case.  He submitted the "Service Request", and informed to wait for 30 days. Don't understand why it requires so much time

@konrad89 @maybeariadne

Can you get No Objection Statement (NOS) from your home country as well as from the country who financed your study/ exchange program? 

I studied (PhD) and got my J visa stamped in the country other than my home country. But my exchange program in US was financed neither of them. While applying for the waiver I managed to get NOS from both countries (home country and the country where I studied PhD, and got J visa stamped). Department of State (DoS) issued me FR but don't know which NOS they used.  I guess having NOS from your home country and the country who financed your exchange program wouldn't hurt. It will take some time upfront but save you lot of time later (if DoS ask NOS from the country who financed your exchange program. 

Good luck!

1 hour ago, pales said:

Congratulations!!  Could I ask how the congressperson process went for you? I got in touch with their secretary, she told me that she sent my case to the caseworker team, but it has been 13 days that I haven't heard from them. Is that normal? Did they work close with you? 

What date all your docs were marked as "received" on the waiver website? The congressman I contacted told that they can't do much within 16 weeks from the docs "received" date. 

27 minutes ago, asmacan said:

This is terrible what they are doing to us 

22 minutes ago, qwopqwop said:

I'm still waiting for an update too (September filing, received Jan 11)

DoS says the applications are processed in first-in first-out queue. But, I don't think that's true. Don't know why they are giving such a hard time to some applicants. It's so frustrating..

@TOC @asmacan All my docs were marked as "received" on the portal on Feb 10. I'm waiting since then for the update.   

1 minute ago, madovi said:

I sent all my documents on November 13th. My embassy sent the NOS on Nov 15th. They marked as received all documents on March 21.... 

Several/ all applicants whose docs were marked as "received" in Jan 2022 received decision in March/ early April. I hope now it's time for Feb 2022 applicants. Hopin to get decision by early May. Fingers crossed! 

7 minutes ago, madovi said:

Any update on your case? 

All my docs were marked as received on J waiver portal on Feb 10, 2022. No any further update as of today. What about you? Looks like you are new and it was your first post on the forum  

1 hour ago, palvi07 said:

Hi All, 

 

Update on my application: I got favorable recommendation on April 8, 2022. Now waiting for USCIS response. 

 

Here is my timeline: 

September 23, 2022: Application received by DoS

January 18, 2022: Status updated on the website as Pending

April 8, 2022: Favourable Recommendation

 

I did requested Congressperson to help in March. I believe that helped.

 

Thank you all for sharing your updates and experiences. It really helped me in this process. All the best!!

Congratulations!

1 hour ago, WGLKID said:

Yes, end of March. But Im with a different problem these days. When I chatted with Emma, they did not see my application. But my I797C says they got the application on April 01, 2022. Looks like there are several unique issues..

That's amazing. Congrats.

I guess we are on the same timeline but I haven't received as of today. Could you please share your timeline, if possible?

@WGLKID you received DoS waiver too?

2 hours ago, Todd B said:

Hey all. Unfortunately, after around ten months of waiting, we received a not favorable recommendation in the category of "No Objection."

 

Still, I'd like to share our timeline for you all that are waiting for a response. Here it is--I wish you all better luck in your journey!

 

Did you know your sponsor views were favorable or unfavorable?

I remember that you was going to submit congressional inquiry. What date it was submitted? Do you think it played any role (positive/negative) in decision making?

2 hours ago, Todd B said:

Hey all. Unfortunately, after around ten months of waiting, we received a not favorable recommendation in the category of "No Objection."

 

Still, I'd like to share our timeline for you all that are waiting for a response. Here it is--I wish you all better luck in your journey!

 

So sad  But thanks for sharing.

Who was your sponsor? 

49 minutes ago, qwopqwop said:

Application sent mid-Sept 2021

NOS sent early Oct 2021

NOS re-sent late Jan 2022 because it was missing (?)

All docs appear as received as of January 11 2022 (with the NOS backdated -- added to tracker on Mar 1 after I emailed to ask about it)

 

Shouldn't need to have sponsor views, it was fully a self funded internship. But at this point I don't know... it feels like anything can happen. I just wish they gave me an ETA so I can give my future H-1B employer an estimated start date.

Thanks for sharing. 

Several applicants whose file was complete (all docs, including NOS, marked as "received" on tracker) received FR in March. I hope you will receive yours too soon. Good luck!

4 hours ago, qwopqwop said:

Does anybody know if generating a new Statement of Reason makes it take longer to process? Looking back I didn't fully explain my situation in the Statement of Reason and I wonder if that's why it's taking so long. I am thinking about sending them a new one.

What is your timeline? I think NOS from home country, and favorable sponsor views (if required) are more important than Statement of Reason.

1 minute ago, S9471 said:

i can only assume that it depends on many factors, like when an application was deemed complete or last reviewed by someone, or maybe there is a stack of "straightforward" and "needs detailed review" cases - i've seen results be very much all over the place in terms of timing.

Makes sense. Thanks for educating me on this aspect. 

5 minutes ago, S9471 said:

There is no queue - they process applications on their own discretion.

Ohh.. then what's that "first in first out" thing DoS/WRD write in their email response?

8 minutes ago, rianno said:

NIH also. So, just to clarify you haven't gotten an update on the system saying they've sent a request to NIH and NIH hasn't reached out to you either? 

Thanks for sharing! The amount of time this waiver takes is unbelievable. 

Good to see one more NIHer. 

- System doesn't indicate that request for sponsor views has been sent

- NIH hasn't reached out to me as of now.

I'm short on time so asked DIS to initiate the process of issuing NOS (employment verification etc.) but they denied to do so. They are waiting for the OFFICIAL REQUEST from DoS/WRD.

Please keep posted about your case updates.

8 minutes ago, rianno said:

Hello, 

I've been a lurker on this forum since about February. I first submitted documents Nov 13th, cheque cashed Nov 17th and NOS sent early Dec. My documents finally were updated last Tuesday and the NOS yesterday. 

 

 

I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how long it takes until they request for sponsor views? I've gone back a bit through this thread and I've seen one that didn't have views sent until several months later! 

Thanks

Who is your sponsor?

My sponsor is NIH. I'm waiting to receive request for sponsor views since Feb 10.

39 minutes ago, Pillowchis said:

When I made an email inquiry the autoreplay was they are having a system maintainance from 10:00-2:00 until Apr 29. Im still waiting for a reply coming from a representative. My friends who filed No Objection they were denied and theIr decision was received within the time frame. Even I wanted to go back to work to help my husband we can not do anything just to wait.

What is the basis of your waiver application- NOS or Hardship? When your application was received by Waiver Review Division at DC?

Do you know why the NOS-based waiver of your friend(s) was denied? Was their J program funded by US government or home country? Was your friend(s) Fullbright Fellow?

6 hours ago, español1974 said:

Dear fellow travelers,

I have received the FR.

 

Thank you all for your contributions and timelines. I hope you all achieve your goals.

 

That's really good news, and thanks for sharing. 

BTW, how you managed to jump the queue? Date wise we several applicants were before you. But none of us have decision as of now.  

I don't think these preliminary steps which come under the jurisdiction of Department of Labor (DoL) can be expedited. I'm pretty sure your employer can expedite second step (filing H1B petition) by paying more fees. 

On 4/3/2022 at 8:29 PM, asmacan said:

 

This is good news for you, i have no information about it, can you give a little detail for starting H1-B process without getting formal J1-waiver

? i may ask to my program also about it, thank you

Your employer can begin H1B preliminary steps- prevailing wage determination, and submitting a Labor Condition Application (LCA). These preliminary steps are longest are not dependent on waiver. 

2 hours ago, RP26 said:

We had submitted all documents to DoS on April 2021. As per the DoS process, we have submitted the old DS 2019. In the main process time, I got the extension of the J1 with the new DS 2019. We have not submitted our new DS 2019 hardcopy to DoS. is there any problem in the future?

Not sure about sending new DS-2019. But I guess WRD would request if it comes to their attention. 

What is the basis of your waiver application? Was you funded by US government of your home country?  Several applicants (NOS-based) till Jan 2022 already received decision.