2018 J1 WAIVER TIMELINE

[Elvin 1]

33 minutes ago, DS5535-Jeddah-O1A said:

I donot understand, I submitted two envelopes and both will be used by USCIS ? In that case, DOS will use their own envelope to send the recommendation? 

I just got the fovarable recommendation paper from DOS with the one of these envelopes that I sent. So there is only one left for USCIS.

[Rafa2018 0]

18 hours ago, plasma said:

I've received my favorable recommendation Nov 7 but no updates from USCIS so far. Any luck in the last month for anyone here?

I’ve received the Favorable Recommendation in the mail, Nov 19th. On USCIS website it says they’ve received my form I-612 on November 8, 2018. Nothing has changed since then (a month latter!). Please keep me posted on your timeline. 

[Rafa2018 0]

On 12/8/2018 at 1:27 PM, j1waiver2018 said:

I never called anybody. I'm not in a hurry, and everything is taking the expected time so far. I haven't received the NOA by mail yet, but it is also expected that some take longer, because I've been following some cases that this happened, plus the USPS wasn't working on Wednesday for a day of mourning. Anyway, I think my NOA might arrive next week and I'm ok with that.

BUT, I also read this: "I did. My NOA1 letter took forever to arrive because they sent it to my address in Brazil and the postal service sucks, so I eventually called them to get my case number, they had had my case for like a week. It got approved a few days after I got the case number. They sent the NOA2 to the US address. It took 16 days total from Received to Approved.

 

Edit: make sure you check the new website because they often won't update the old one. My case still shows as Received on the old system." 

Somebody called them and got their number. It worked for this specific person. That's why I suggested it.

What’s the new system? Not https://egov.uscis.gov?

[Rafa2018 0]

On 11/30/2018 at 1:32 PM, j1waiver2018 said:

Yes. You should receive by mail a NOA (notification of action) letting you know that a case file was open in USCIS with your name. Also, a number will be assigned to your case. This letter, from what I've been reading, will take 5-7 days to arrive if you're in the US. With the case number, go to this website https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ and create a new account. You will be able to follow your case file updates. Just keep in mind that USCIS is very slow updating the website, so there are plenty of cases out there of people that received their final waiver by mail and the website never updated their cases.

But if you don't receive the letter for any reason, you should call USCIS and ask for your case number.

5-7 days?! It’s been a month for me!!

[Rafa2018 0]

On 12/4/2018 at 12:40 AM, MarianG said:

 

Here's an update. I just received i-797 approval notice from USCIS. My timeline:

 

All forms received by DOS: Sep 10

NOS received by DOS: Sep 19, 2018

DOS recommendation: Nov 8, 2018 

USCIS received: Nov 14, 2018

USCIS approved: Nov 28, 2018

 

Good luck to you all. This forum has been great help. Be patient! I have never contacted neither DOS nor USCIS. Just wait and wait!

Could you let me know where your I-612 was processed? (VT or CA?) Mine was received in VT on Nov 8th and I’m still waiting to be processed! 

Thanks

[AOS2021 9]

1 minute ago, Rafa2018 said:

5-7 days?! It’s been a month for me!!

the website: https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

So you did not receive the notice of action from USCIS, only the favorable recommendation that took 12 days to arrive in the mail, right?

My comments are based on previous cases, in this thread for instance. But, clearly, this can change since you and others - me included - haven't received their NOA in that time.

DOS sent my favorable recommendation on Nov 28 but I haven't received the letter yet. Nor the NOA from USCIS.

[Rafa2018 0]

Just now, j1waiver2018 said:

the website: https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

So you did not receive the notice of action from USCIS, only the favorable recommendation that took 12 days to arrive in the mail, right?

My comments are based on previous cases, in this thread for instance. But, clearly, this can change since you and others - me included - haven't received their NOA in that time.

DOS sent my favorable recommendation on Nov 28 but I haven't received the letter yet. Nor the NOA from USCIS.

I have received the NOA on Nov 19th. When login in USCIS’s webpage I see that they have received my I-612 on Nov 8th. I haven’t received the final USCIS approval yet...nor have I had any update on its webpage.

[AOS2021 9]

Just now, Rafa2018 said:

I have received the NOA on Nov 19th. When login in USCIS’s webpage I see that they have received my I-612 on Nov 8th. I haven’t received the final USCIS approval yet...nor have I had any update on its webpage.

Oh. So you shouldn't worry much. They received your recommendation (good), they put in the system and you received your NOA (which is great!). The website is not very reliable, since there are cases of people receiving their waivers in the mail and in the website it's saying only that the case was received.

If you are worried, you can call USCIS, give your receipt number and ask for an update. But I sincerely don't think there is something wrong. Some cases take 2 weeks, some cases take 2 months. I don't know why.

[Rafa2018 0]

1 hour ago, j1waiver2018 said:

Oh. So you shouldn't worry much. They received your recommendation (good), they put in the system and you received your NOA (which is great!). The website is not very reliable, since there are cases of people receiving their waivers in the mail and in the website it's saying only that the case was received.

If you are worried, you can call USCIS, give your receipt number and ask for an update. But I sincerely don't think there is something wrong. Some cases take 2 weeks, some cases take 2 months. I don't know why.

On their website the information is very vague. It says processing could take 1 week to 6 months. I have called and it wasn’t very helpful as they only have access to the same website info that we have access to. 

I’m worried  because my employer is waiting on me since September! 

[AOS2021 9]

16 minutes ago, Rafa2018 said:

On their website the information is very vague. It says processing could take 1 week to 6 months. I have called and it wasn’t very helpful as they only have access to the same website info that we have access to. 

I’m worried  because my employer is waiting on me since September! 

I see. I'm sorry to hear.

Have you tried to follow your case with this app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/case-tracker-for-uscis/id921827126?mt=8 There's a version for android too: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saldous.usciscasetracker&hl=en_US

Since I don't have a case number yet  I haven't use it. But I heard some good things about it. Maybe it shows more updates?

I wish I could be more helpful. Good luck!

[jen283 0]

Hi guys,

 

A newbie here. I received a fellowship from my home country government, and i am applying for a waiver based on No Objection statement. DOS has received all the documents on October 3, but I still haven't got any recommendation. Does anyone know why it can be delayed? It's already been over 10 weeks, and I am getting a bit frustrated.

 

Thanks a lot! 

[AOS2021 9]

10 hours ago, jen283 said:

Hi guys,

 

A newbie here. I received a fellowship from my home country government, and i am applying for a waiver based on No Objection statement. DOS has received all the documents on October 3, but I still haven't got any recommendation. Does anyone know why it can be delayed? It's already been over 10 weeks, and I am getting a bit frustrated.

 

Thanks a lot! 

10 weeks since the day they received the NOS from your embassy?

It's unusual, it usually takes 6-8 weeks, but not unheard of. For some it took more than 13 weeks. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do but contact DOS and ask for updates or if there's anything missing. Good luck!

[jugowar 0]

9 weeks and 2 days for me and I am still waiting to hear from DoS. Could this delay be because I have applied from within the US and am currently still in the middle of my J1 visit for which I ask for a waiver?

[AOS2021 9]

19 minutes ago, jugowar said:

9 weeks and 2 days for me and I am still waiting to hear from DoS. Could this delay be because I have applied from within the US and am currently still in the middle of my J1 visit for which I ask for a waiver?

I doubt it. I'm also in the US and my J1 will expire in a year or so.  It took me 7 weeks from the day they acknowledge my NOS. I think it has more to do with the holidays/ period of the year and the person that will take care of your case.

[jen283 0]

6 hours ago, j1waiver2018 said:

10 weeks since the day they received the NOS from your embassy?

It's unusual, it usually takes 6-8 weeks, but not unheard of. For some it took more than 13 weeks. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do but contact DOS and ask for updates or if there's anything missing. Good luck!

Thank you - yes, all the documents except NOS received September 18, and NOS on October 3. I already sent them an inquiry and they replied that they cannot guarantee that it will be processed by a particular date...