2018 J1 WAIVER TIMELINE

[AOS2021 9]

3 hours ago, OVO said:

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

It goes like this, you send your case to DOS. DOS analyses your case and decide if you should have or not have a Waiver. But they are not the people that give you the waiver, they only recommend your case favorably to USCIS. USCIS is the real people that will concede  you a waiver or not.

So, once DOS analyses your case if they think you should have a waiver they send a recommendation letter to USCIS. They also send a copy to your home. Once USCIS receives this letter they will open your case and let you know the number and give you a NOA. Once they grant you a waiver, then your employer can proceed to file your H1B petition.

[Lucia_F 0]

On 10/4/2018 at 11:03 PM, MarianG said:

Hi guys!

 

Any new recommendation from DOS? I don't see any approval for NOS received in August/Sep??  It would be great for us to know any current recommendations.

 

Thanks

 

I receved my NOS on 08/02/2018,  I didn't receved any reccomandation from DOS yet, and is almost 10 weeks that I'm waiting for it. I e-mailed them last week, to ask some information about my case, and they replay to me saying that they cannot guaratee that the recomandations will arive by a particular date. So I'm still waiting!

 

All the august NOS are in my some situations, or is there someone  that has already receved a DOS reccomandation??

 

 

Edited October 10, 2018 by Lucia_F

[NIWjunkie 11]

Hi folks, DOS just received my NOS. So, I am following the trends and posting my timeline.

 

As far as I've seen everybody else's cases I believe it takes more than 2 months to the DOS to send the recommendation to USCIS. Once I am in the process of getting a green card through consular processing (EB2-NIW approved and currently filling up DS-216 forms), do you guys believe there is any way I might expedite this process?

 

Just wondering because of as soon as I send the DS-216 I think the consulate will schedule my interview, but I cannot go to the interview without the J1-waiver handy.

 

Anybody going through a similar situation?

[fabi_c 3]

On 10/10/2018 at 3:44 AM, Lucia_F said:

I receved my NOS on 08/02/2018,  I didn't receved any reccomandation from DOS yet, and is almost 10 weeks that I'm waiting for it. I e-mailed them last week, to ask some information about my case, and they replay to me saying that they cannot guaratee that the recomandations will arive by a particular date. So I'm still waiting!

 

All the august NOS are in my some situations, or is there someone  that has already receved a DOS reccomandation??

 

 

It took 11 weeks, after the NOS was uploaded, for me to receive the answer from the DOS. All you can do is wait... =/

[fabi_c 3]

3 hours ago, NIWjunkie said:

Hi folks, DOS just received my NOS. So, I am following the trends and posting my timeline.

 

As far as I've seen everybody else's cases I believe it takes more than 2 months to the DOS to send the recommendation to USCIS. Once I am in the process of getting a green card through consular processing (EB2-NIW approved and currently filling up DS-216 forms), do you guys believe there is any way I might expedite this process?

 

Just wondering because of as soon as I send the DS-216 I think the consulate will schedule my interview, but I cannot go to the interview without the J1-waiver handy.

 

Anybody going through a similar situation?

As far as I know, there is nothing you can do to expedite that. And be aware that after the DOS sends the recommendation, you still have to wait for the USICS to aprove the waiver. It took 11 weeks, after the NOS was uploaded, for me to receive the favorable recommendation from the DOS. I am still waiting for the USICS, 2 weeks now. 

[NIWjunkie 11]

2 minutes ago, fabi_c said:

As far as I know, there is nothing you can do to expedite that. And be aware that after the DOS sends the recommendation, you still have to wait for the USICS to aprove the waiver. It took 11 weeks, after the NOS was uploaded, for me to receive the favorable recommendation from the DOS. I am still waiting for the USICS, 2 weeks now. 

Thanks for letting me know about it. That's gonna help me to have an idea about when I expect to move forward with my forms and therefore have my interview scheduled. I also would appreciate if you could update us on your case's information once you have USCIS accepting DOS recommendation. Best of luck to you!

[fs2439 46]

6 hours ago, NIWjunkie said:

Hi folks, DOS just received my NOS. So, I am following the trends and posting my timeline.

 

As far as I've seen everybody else's cases I believe it takes more than 2 months to the DOS to send the recommendation to USCIS. Once I am in the process of getting a green card through consular processing (EB2-NIW approved and currently filling up DS-216 forms), do you guys believe there is any way I might expedite this process?

 

Just wondering because of as soon as I send the DS-216 I think the consulate will schedule my interview, but I cannot go to the interview without the J1-waiver handy.

 

Anybody going through a similar situation?

For me -

1. dos took 4 weeks

2. Uscis reveived my docs from dos on Sept 4

3. status - waiting but it's not urgent.

 

Others have received this much more quickly. I don't know if they prioritize cases or if it's a matter  of luck. Does anyone know?

 

Btw, could you also share your now timeline with us? Thanks

Edited October 12, 2018 by fs2439

[AOS2021 9]

14 hours ago, NIWjunkie said:

Hi folks, DOS just received my NOS. So, I am following the trends and posting my timeline.

 

As far as I've seen everybody else's cases I believe it takes more than 2 months to the DOS to send the recommendation to USCIS. Once I am in the process of getting a green card through consular processing (EB2-NIW approved and currently filling up DS-216 forms), do you guys believe there is any way I might expedite this process?

 

Just wondering because of as soon as I send the DS-216 I think the consulate will schedule my interview, but I cannot go to the interview without the J1-waiver handy.

 

Anybody going through a similar situation?

Mine also got uploaded. We have a similar timeline.

Concerning the DOS, nothing can be done to expedite the process. But once it gets to USCIS, an expedite request can be made based on some criteria. Check them here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/expedite-criteria

[Gleo 1]

Hello guys! This is my DOS timeline. It took more than 10 weeks to get the favorable recommendation. My home country is Romania. Good luck to everyone!

[Sunny_20 2]

Hi everyone! just wanted to share my timeline with you (NOS basis):

 

DOS sent FAV recom: 23 August

USCIS accepted: 28 August

USCIS approved: 5 October

Approval notice Received in mail: 12 October

 

The USCIS online status has not yet been updated!

Good luck to all of you.

[fabi_c 3]

On 10/12/2018 at 3:29 PM, NIWjunkie said:

Thanks for letting me know about it. That's gonna help me to have an idea about when I expect to move forward with my forms and therefore have my interview scheduled. I also would appreciate if you could update us on your case's information once you have USCIS accepting DOS recommendation. Best of luck to you!

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!! 

Edited October 15, 2018 by fabi_c

[NIWjunkie 11]

10 minutes ago, 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!! 

Congrats Fabi! That's such great news! Glad everything went smoothly in your case. Good luck on your next goals!!!

[fabi_c 3]

18 minutes ago, NIWjunkie said:

Congrats Fabi! That's such great news! Glad everything went smoothly in your case. Good luck on your next goals!!!

Thanks! 

Best of luck to you!

 

[fs2439 46]

2 hours ago, 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!! 

Thanks Fabi! Did it not update yet in either of the two platforms? Thank you! congratulations

[fabi_c 3]

26 minutes ago, fs2439 said:

Thanks Fabi! Did it not update yet in either of the two platforms? Thank you! congratulations

Hi! Thanks!

DOS already appears that has sent a favorable recommendation. 

USICS still appears "Case received"

Good luck to you!!