2019 J1 WAIVER TIMELINE - New Applicants

[JWaiver_2019 21]

5 hours ago, Jai1 said:

With the new 2019 estimates on processing time for J1 no objection, I thought I will post the timeline for my application. Note that I started my application during shutdown, and some delays in status updates could be because of it.

 

1) Sent documents to DoS using USPS -- Dec 24th, 2018

2) Documents received at St. Louis, MO on Dec 27th, 2018 as per USPS tracking.

3) Cheque cashed on 3rd Jan, 2019 as I found out from my bank.

4) Status finally updated in DoS webpage on Jan 22nd, 2019. 

5) NOC received by DoS on Jan 24th, 2019.  But I received a copy of the letter from my embassy on Jan 7th, 2019.

6) Favorable recommendation on Mar 7th, 2019

 

So it took about 6 weeks from DoS receiving NOC, and about 10 weeks from when I sent the documents.

Thanks Jai1 for sharing your experience and congratulations!

My timelines are similar to you but with delays and may be this is due to US govt funding in my case.

May I know if you received government funding from any side (your country or US government)?

My assumption is that you didn't receive any funding and case was straight forward for DOS. 

[JWaiver_2019 21]

15 minutes ago, Kr1234 said:

Hi everyone

 

Me too applied for J1 waiver under no objection category and I wanted to share my status so far....

 

I sent the DS 3035 application package on Jan 31st 2019 through USPS priority mail and the package got delivered on Feb 3 2019.

I also sent the package to houston embassy on Jan 30th through fedex and it got delivered on 1st Feb 2019 and i picked up the package (copy of the NOS forwarded to DC embassy) from local fedex location on 7th Feb 2019

I got the copy of NOC statement forwarded to DOS from DC embassy on 15th February 2019 

My status was updated (documents received ) in DOS website on 15th february 2019

I am aware of the new processing timings, but Im worried whether DOS missed my NOC and I badly need this waiver as soon as possible as I wanted to take break and change to H4 visa and move to my husband place, as me and my husband are living separately.

  Still waiting for the NOS received update in DOS website😩 . Anybody in my situation and sharing the same timeline with me? Thoughts and updates on your case are  appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Kr1234!

 

In my case I sent documents on Dec 26th  (received on Dec 28) and DOS updated on website on February 11th.

Regarding NOS, it was updated exactly after 5 weeks; NOS was sent to DOS by my Embassy on January 20th and status updated on DOS website around February 24th. I hope yours will be updated soon. You need to wait at least one month to get NOS status update .. Some lucky people got status updated earlier and I believe it depends from case to case. My case is US govt funding based so I assume this could be one of reasons of delay in my situation. I hope this will help you.

[Kr1234 4]

Thanks JWaiver_2019. I did not receive any US government funding, hopefully within week or two my status will be updated 

[JWaiver_2019 21]

Just now, Kr1234 said:

Thanks JWaiver_2019. I did not receive any US government funding, hopefully within week or two my status will be updated 

So your case looks straight and simple to me. Yes, I hope it will be updated next week ideally otherwise no later than the following week!

[Jai1 3]

4 hours ago, JWaiver_2019 said:

Thanks Jai1 for sharing your experience and congratulations!

My timelines are similar to you but with delays and may be this is due to US govt funding in my case.

May I know if you received government funding from any side (your country or US government)?

My assumption is that you didn't receive any funding and case was straight forward for DOS. 

Yes, it was a staight forward case without any complication of govt funding.  I got a bit worried looking at the 12-16 week as the new estimate. Since I got it in the usual 6 week period, perhaps the new timeline is an over estimation. 

[JWaiver_2019 21]

On 3/8/2019 at 5:56 PM, Jai1 said:

Yes, it was a staight forward case without any complication of govt funding.  I got a bit worried looking at the 12-16 week as the new estimate. Since I got it in the usual 6 week period, perhaps the new timeline is an over estimation. 

Thanks for sharing experience Jai1!

We would like to see some more updates from other applicants to better understand what is happening with recent delays and hope they were related to govt shutdown backlog and now situation is getting better.

As per past timelines, usually situations were more complex when US/home government funding was involved. But we appreciate that you have shared your experience for other applicants! We wish you get your USCIS decision soon as well!

[MimPH 5]

1 hour ago, JWaiver_2019 said:

Thanks for sharing experience Jai1!

We would like to see some more updates from other applicants to better understand what is happening with recent delays and hope they were related to govt shutdown backlog and now situation is getting better.

As per past timelines, usually situations were more complex when US/home government funding was involved. But we appreciate that you have shared your experience for other applicants! We wish you get your USCIS decision soon as well!

DOS received my NOS on Feb.5th. Exactly 4weeks after, they changed the date to Feb.12 which will add more waiting weeks. Yes, awful. 

[JWaiver_2019 21]

13 hours ago, MimPH said:

DOS received my NOS on Feb.5th. Exactly 4weeks after, they changed the date to Feb.12 which will add more waiting weeks. Yes, awful. 

This is weird! I am not an expert but believe that they update NOS status date based on the day they open case not the day when they received documents since we have enough good evidence that documents were received by DOS well before time and they updated receiving dates quite different than the original ones. So may be the same thing happened and they updated your dates .. This is my opinion, facts may be different. But I hope at least your application go smoothly with fast response.

Is there any government funding involved in your case? or two waivers? since your case looks little complex from your timeline and that you also hired attorney. I am just interested to learn, but disregard it if you don't wanna share!

[MimPH 5]

1 hour ago, JWaiver_2019 said:

This is weird! I am not an expert but believe that they update NOS status date based on the day they open case not the day when they received documents since we have enough good evidence that documents were received by DOS well before time and they updated receiving dates quite different than the original ones. So may be the same thing happened and they updated your dates .. This is my opinion, facts may be different. But I hope at least your application go smoothly with fast response.

Is there any government funding involved in your case? or two waivers? since your case looks little complex from your timeline and that you also hired attorney. I am just interested to learn, but disregard it if you don't wanna share!

I know right. 😞 well, my case is very simple. I do not have any government funding. I am a J1 visa holder came in the US and married my then-fiancee who is a USC. I finished my 3yr Exchange Culture program in good standing. My visa sponsor is offering another 2yrs of J1visa but I declined due to the fact that my waiver is on the process. I cannot adjust my status yet for Im waiting for the FR from the DOS. 

[JWaiver_2019 21]

4 hours ago, MimPH said:

I know right. 😞 well, my case is very simple. I do not have any government funding. I am a J1 visa holder came in the US and married my then-fiancee who is a USC. I finished my 3yr Exchange Culture program in good standing. My visa sponsor is offering another 2yrs of J1visa but I declined due to the fact that my waiver is on the process. I cannot adjust my status yet for Im waiting for the FR from the DOS. 

Agree with you, shouldn't be complicated in this situation. I thought based on timeline if you had some complex background. Thanks for sharing contextual information. So you shouldn't be much worried, hopefully you will get your recommendation within old 6-8 weeks timeline!

[Sam86 0]

On 3/8/2019 at 12:24 PM, Kr1234 said:

Hi everyone

 

Me too applied for J1 waiver under no objection category and I wanted to share my status so far....

 

I sent the DS 3035 application package on Jan 31st 2019 through USPS priority mail and the package got delivered on Feb 3 2019.

I also sent the package to houston embassy on Jan 30th through fedex and it got delivered on 1st Feb 2019 and i picked up the package (copy of the NOS forwarded to DC embassy) from local fedex location on 7th Feb 2019

I got the copy of NOC statement forwarded to DOS from DC embassy on 15th February 2019 

My status was updated (documents received ) in DOS website on 15th february 2019

I am aware of the new processing timings, but Im worried whether DOS missed my NOC and I badly need this waiver as soon as possible as I wanted to take break and change to H4 visa and move to my husband place, as me and my husband are living separately.

  Still waiting for the NOS received update in DOS website😩 . Anybody in my situation and sharing the same timeline with me? Thoughts and updates on your case are  appreciated. Thanks!

Hello everyone, 

I just started my J1 waiver application under the no objection statement and after reading these posts (in particular the one above), I started panicking a little, so I just want to make sure that I did everything right so far... any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

03/04 Email sent to Italian Embassy in Washington to request " No Objection Statement"

03/09 Package sent to U.S. Department of State (arrived on 03/11, based on USPS tracking)

 

Of course I am not expecting to have any update anytime soon by the DOS...the reason why I am panicking is...I'm living in Houston too...should I've sent something to embassy here? To request the No Objection statement I just followed the instruction on this website https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/informazioni_e_servizi/j-1-waivers.html , in which specify to send an email with the requested documents, nothing by mail.

Probably this is a silly question for most of you, but I just want to be sure. 

Thanks :)

Sam

[Kr1234 4]

33 minutes ago, Sam86 said:

Hello everyone, 

I just started my J1 waiver application under the no objection statement and after reading these posts (in particular the one above), I started panicking a little, so I just want to make sure that I did everything right so far... any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

03/04 Email sent to Italian Embassy in Washington to request " No Objection Statement"

03/09 Package sent to U.S. Department of State (arrived on 03/11, based on USPS tracking)

 

Of course I am not expecting to have any update anytime soon by the DOS...the reason why I am panicking is...I'm living in Houston too...should I've sent something to embassy here? To request the No Objection statement I just followed the instruction on this website https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/informazioni_e_servizi/j-1-waivers.html , in which specify to send an email with the requested documents, nothing by mail.

Probably this is a silly question for most of you, but I just want to be sure. 

Thanks

Sam

Hi sam, I think you are good since Im from India and I followed accordingly. Yours maybe different. 

[Kr1234 4]

On 2/12/2019 at 9:21 AM, JWaiver_2019 said:

Do not estimate any thing based on last year's timeline that put new applicants in panic situation this year: 

This year timelines are comparatively different than last year such as 'documents received' status update time increased from 20 days to 6-7 weeks this year as per recent posts in different threads. So I am summarizing all posts' conclusion here to give new applicants better experience update from new members recently submitted applications to prepare their application packet and send it using efficient mechanism and don't face panicking situation that many of us have faced due to recent shutdown and increased timelines (not related to shutdown). So here is my opinion and timeline based on personal experience and observations in this forum:

 

My timeline:

Application packet was sent to DOS by USPS Priority Mail:                            December 26^th 2018

Packet received (USPS confirmed by email due to issues with tracking):    December 28^th 2018

Embassy received J1Waiver NOC from home country:                                    January 21^st 2019

Embassy sent NOS by mail:                                                                                  January 21^st 2019

Embassy confirmed that documents received by DOS (tracking):                 January 23^rd 2019

DOS updated status – Documents received:                                                     February 11^th 2019

More updates to come as received ……..

 

Issue I have faced using USPS postal services:

• USPS tracking is still showing “Schedule Re-delivery” for tracking number provided for my application packet, whereas upon investigations (based on my request from USPS customer services that involved days of communication), USPS has already sent me email (mid of January 2019) confirming that my packet was delivered on December 28^th 2018 but post office scanned other packet for my tracking by mistake. So my advises are below to avoid some of such situations and other experienced in this forum:

 

Lessons learned for future applicants:

• Sending your application packet: Use courier service Fedex or UPS with guaranteed delivery service + tracking
• Sending Application Fee: Send Cashier’s Check so you could track if it has been cashed easily (please note USPS money order tracking is not easy and takes minimum 30 days with fee. If you have to use money order, then consider Money Gram etc with possibility to track when it is cashed).
• Contacting DOS by email before documents received status update: I sent around 8 emails to DOS email address to get status if they have received my package since there was issue with USPS tracking after waiting for 20 days as per past timeline experience but have not received a single response for any email.
• Contacting DOS by phone before documents received status update: They cannot help with this issue since it is handled by different unit and they can only help after receiving documents (based on one phone call discussion).
• Wait time for documents received status update: According to recent experience shared by applicants on this forum, it is tacking between 4-7 weeks to get status update from date of delivery of documents. So no need to check last year’s timeline for such estimates that may lead to panic situation. For NOS status update, it is taking another
• My personal advice: Try to send documents with guaranteed courier service and cashier’s check to avoid all issues some of us are facing. Check with courier and bank if mail has been delivered and check has been cashed then sit back on chair and check status once a week (ideally weekends) if you can wait.

 

These are my personal opinions based on experience and nothing is official so take you own decision based on our experience using your own wisdom.

 

Please keep all posted with your status updates.

 

 

 

Hi 

  Today i enquired about my No objection statement through email from washington embassy, they have replied  that they have sent my no objection statement through email to DOS on February 15th. Is that okay? Im worried since the DOS has clearly mentioned to sent through post to waiver review division. Any replies regarding this are appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

[Filipi 8]

33 minutes ago, Kr1234 said:

Hi 

  Today i enquired about my No objection statement through email from washington embassy, they have replied  that they have sent my no objection statement through email to DOS on February 15th. Is that okay? Im worried since the DOS has clearly mentioned to sent through post to waiver review division. Any replies regarding this are appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

Hi Kr1234,

 

I was worried as well because my embassy (Brazil) informed they have sent the NOS electronically to DOS. It took about a month to have it updated in the system.

This is my current timeline:

 

So I think you are good. Hope your status updates soon.

 

[Kr1234 4]

Thanks for your reply,  May I know at what date they emailed DOS? My embassy have emailed DOS on 11th Feb 2019.