2019 J1 WAIVER TIMELINE - New Applicants

[Hardship waiver 20]

Hello waiver nation!

 

I hope I can get a valuable input on something I have been worrying about. I applied for J1 waiver based on hardship to a US spouse. Uscis sent their recommendation to DoS and I am still waiting on the next step. My lawyer sold the idea to me that getting approval from Uscis is way harder than DoS and claimed that the hardest step is over. However, I can’t help but worry about the sponsor’s views since I came on Fulbright. My home country is Syria and Fulbright has suspended all its relationships with the country since 2013. I really want to hear from you yall. Thank you and all the best to everyone here. I can feel everyone’s pain and anxiety.

[melmasry 0]

just a question regarding not favorable recommendation from DOS, is USCIS always follow DOS recommendation.

[YOUNGLUNYA 0]

On 5/9/2021 at 4:54 PM, YOUNGLUNYA said:

Can any one tell me whats the different between sponsor's view requested and sponsor's view sent? 

 

 

Item	Action	Date
Request for Sponsor Views	Sent	May, 07 2021
Sponsor Views	Requested	March, 28 2021
No Objection Statement	Received	October, 14 2020
Passport Data Page	Received	September, 23 2020
Fee	Received	September, 22 2020
Form DS-3035	Received	September, 22 2020
Form DS-2019	Received	September, 22 2020
Statement Of Reason	Received	September, 22 2020

 

 Hi guy, below is my most updated Waiver status. Why is the 'request for sponsors view' not showing anymore? Is this how it should be displaying after the DOS got sponsors view?

 

Department of State Advisory Opinion Finding: Favorable Recommendation

Item	Action	Date
Recommendation	Sent	June, 08 2021
No Objection Statement	Received	October, 14 2020
Passport Data Page	Received	September, 23 2020
Fee	Received	September, 22 2020
Form DS-3035	Received	September, 22 2020
Form DS-2019	Received	September, 22 2020
Statement Of Reason	Received	September, 22 2020

[YOUNGLUNYA 0]

On 5/15/2020 at 2:12 AM, brhacker said:

I want to share some good news, I just checked the DOS website and looks like I got a favorable recommendation. Previously my application was on “sponsor views request” stage and I noticed 2 days ago it was gone. How can I check my case with USCIS? What should I ask them in order to get the case number? Here is my timeline. 

Hi there, I have the same experience, I just got a FR four days ago. Do you remember how long did it take for you to get the final document from USCIS?

With thanks.

[fetom 7]

20 minutes ago, YOUNGLUNYA said:

Hi there, I have the same experience, I just got a FR four days ago. Do you remember how long did it take for you to get the final document from USCIS?

With thanks.

I got the FR in the mail a week after changing the status on the website, and the USCIS waiver came 2 days after that. 

[Hardship waiver 20]

43 minutes ago, YOUNGLUNYA said:

Hi there, I have the same experience, I just got a FR four days ago. Do you remember how long did it take for you to get the final document from USCIS?

With thanks.

Hi! Unrelated to your question but how long did it take them to update your change of address? I sent mine almost two months ago and it is still not showing on the page. Thank you!

[AtlanticOcean 0]

12 hours ago, Hardship waiver said:

Hi! Unrelated to your question but how long did it take them to update your change of address? I sent mine almost two months ago and it is still not showing on the page. Thank you!

I also did submit change of address and it showed up surprisingly fast within maybe 3 weeks on the website. In your case I would write them an email and ask if they received it.

[V.T. 4]

Hello everyone,
Does anyone have any experience with 10+ months wait/processing times?
I submitted my application in September 2020. The Department of State website showed documents received in October 2020.

It's been a 10 month wait, and I am getting kinda worried...
Please share your thoughts/experiences!

[Veronikac 15]

3 minutes ago, V.T. said:

Hello everyone,
Does anyone have any experience with 10+ months wait/processing times?
I submitted my application in September 2020. The Department of State website showed documents received in October 2020.

It's been a 10 month wait, and I am getting kinda worried...
Please share your thoughts/experiences!

10 months is pretty long waiting time. Can you see on the DOS website that they received everything what is needed - also the no-objection letter from your embassy if your case in no-objection? Do you have any government funding involvement in your case? My case took around 8 months back in 2020 but I was funded by the U.S. government which make it more complicated and sponsor views needed to be requested at that time.

[V.T. 4]

4 minutes ago, Veronikac said:

10 months is pretty long waiting time. Can you see on the DOS website that they received everything what is needed - also the no-objection letter from your embassy if your case in no-objection? Do you have any government funding involvement in your case? My case took around 8 months back in 2020 but I was funded by the U.S. government which make it more complicated and sponsor views needed to be requested at that time.

Hey, thanks for the insight! I believe I submitted everything needing to be submitted.
This is what I see when I check my status.

[Veronikac 15]

10 minutes ago, V.T. said:

Hey, thanks for the insight! I believe I submitted everything needing to be submitted.
This is what I see when I check my status.

You are right, it looks like they have everything needed. Did you try to contact DOS? You can maybe push them a little bit by sending email to the available email address. Also you could contact your senator or congressman to ask for help with your case if you are currently in the U.S. They are usually able to help when dealing with USCIS but I believe that they can contact DOS as well. 

Edited August 12, 2021 by Veronikac
misspell

[V.T. 4]

4 minutes ago, Veronikac said:

You are right, it looks like they have everything needed. Did you try to contact DOS? You can maybe push them a little bit by sending email to the available email address. Also you could contact your senator or congressman to ask for help with your case if you are currently in the U.S. They are usually able to help when dealing with USCIS but I believe that they can contact DOS as well. 

I reached out to the DOS - they basically just told me to wait.

Yes, I am in the US, and I did reach out to a congressman about 10 days ago. They reached out to the DOS about my case.
Waiting, and hoping to hear back from them.

Freaking out a little bit...
 

[Hardship waiver 20]

34 minutes ago, V.T. said:

Hello everyone,
Does anyone have any experience with 10+ months wait/processing times?
I submitted my application in September 2020. The Department of State website showed documents received in October 2020.

It's been a 10 month wait, and I am getting kinda worried...
Please share your thoughts/experiences!

I am in the same boat. I have been waiting for nine months now. Application was ready to be processed in November 2020.

[Hardship waiver 20]

Hi! Is it normal that DoS hasn’t been responding to my emails? My case has been pending for 9 months now. They haven’t been responding to several congressional inquiries. Why can’t they even respond with a generic note, at least to senators’ requests. 

[V.T. 4]

13 hours ago, Hardship waiver said:

Hi! Is it normal that DoS hasn’t been responding to my emails? My case has been pending for 9 months now. They haven’t been responding to several congressional inquiries. Why can’t they even respond with a generic note, at least to senators’ requests. 

Hey. It's been frustrating for me too :/
Their responses are often generic (not very useful), and come 2-3 weeks later. I thought it was strange too, that's why I reached out on this forum.
Even my immigration attorney seems to be at a loss as to what to do next (after seeking congressional help). 
It's just a waiting game at this point...