Wyboxcx

Just US citizen, No kids

Yes. In my case USCIS was really brutal. Made me wait 10 months before issuing a ridiculous RFE asking me to submit documents I already sent with my initial application. Then they waited until it was exactly one year to forward it to DOS. honestly waiting 1,5 years at DOS stage is too much. You definitely need to sue them to get your decision. I was prepared to sue them. I know it is expensive but as a matter of principle they should not be doing this. Some people say “ oh well a waiver is a privilege not a right”. While it is true it’s up to DOS to grant it, they must decide within a reasonable amount of time. That is the law. Excessive delays are happening because these governments bureaucrats are not being challenged to follow the law. as for the letter of representation, I am not sure. I guess it’s a different way to register form G-28 in their system.

Thank you. I was so nervous and prepared for a NFR honestly. But I was so sick and tired of the word “pending” that I wanted a decision, any decision at this point. I will never understand why they make us wait between Sponsor views received and Final recommendation. But who knows, I am glad this nightmare is finally over and I can focus on other things. Good luck everyone! i will stay on the forum for a while to offer help if it’s needed.

The time has come for me to share this with you and hopefully give you some hope in this seemingly never ending nightmare. After what felt like eternity, my hardship waiver was approved yesterday. I was Fulbright and received US government funding. I tried to expedite and DOS didn’t respond. I was eligible for both persecution and hardship and didn’t know that you can’t apply for both so I did, but the hardship waiver ended up being decided faster. It was crucial to combine factors from both grounds for the waiver to win the case. You can see my timeline here .

USCIS is issuing RFEs for hardships all the time these days. Even when the case is very strong and sometimes they ask for documents you already submitted. It’s their way of delaying your case even more and taking more time . Just send them what they asked

I feel you 100 %. I wonder if they gather a number of cases with government funding and deliberate over them during the same meeting, or if each case is decided separately.

It’s honestly ridiculous. This process has traumatized me. I just want a decision. Any decision at this point!!

Unfortunately cases with government funding are still pending from May 2023…

I am currently waiting on the final recommendation. Also Fulbright and the DOS received my sponsor views back on March 10. Thank you for sharing your timeline!

Congratulations. That’s awesome!! You must be very relieved. Just a question: how long did you wait between Sponsor views received and the recommendation?

They have become far more common than most people will make you believe these days. The truth is no one knows how DOS makes such decisions as their process is a black box.

This is heartbreaking

Yeah I saw it’s back and was hoping for a status update but it’s still stuck on pending 😭

Is the J-1 visa waiver status website working for you guys? I just tried to check my status and it is not showing anything. I tried to see if there is any scheduled update announcement but didn’t see anything. Just want to make sure it’s not just me?

Yes. More than a month now. I would understand it since I am Fulbright. However, I literally just saw someone else’s case who was on Fulbright get a decision in less than a month from the date they requested sponsor views. While I am still waiting. I don’t get it. They need to be consistent

Nope. Still waiting. I never hated the word “pending” more in my life

Hey what happened with your case? Did you get a favorable recommendation? I am currently in the same stage.

Your attorney is very optimistic. I-612 is taking 15,5 months now. When I applied in 2022 It took exactly 12 months to hear back from them. Good luck!

Did you finally reach the sponsor views requested stage?

Why did they wait 5 months to send sponsor views?!

Hi! I am now at the sponsor views requested stage. Also a Fulbrighter. Could you please share your complete timeline? Especially how long the sponsor views stage took? Thank you and congratulations on your approval!

How do you know this? Is there any reference to this in either USCIS or DOS manuals? If so, could you share a link?

Did they request sponsor views for your case?

See kids, Lawsuits and Writ of Madamus do work and they do have an effect.

So much for “ we process cases on a first come, first serve basis” 😑