J1 waiver 2020 NOS update timeline

[KYZ 5]

25 minutes ago, Aramcod said:

Wow, You just scared me. What did they take so long? Did you email them? 

Here is my timeline: This is crazy, I sent them 3 emails so far, every time they kept telling me it takes 16 to 24 weeks, what the heck are they doing? It's so unfair. I wish you and myself luck

Not really sure why, it is so stressful. I hope you’re luckier, it took USCIS 10 months to send the I612 to DOS. I hope your timeline continues to show a short trend... 

I did not email them, as our immigration attorney strongly recommended against it as it could result in negative outcomes. We submitted evidence that I am (was) on the frontline with fight against COVID-19, including first author publications... still nothing 

[vincee 2]

@Mlle_WanderlustMy No objection letter was updated on my timeline since October 28, 2020. Since then it has been pending. Things are pretty slow 😭. I emailed them twice about it, they responded that the processing time is 12-16 weeks and sometimes can take longer.

[Aramcod 0]

1 hour ago, KYZ said:

Not really sure why, it is so stressful. I hope you’re luckier, it took USCIS 10 months to send the I612 to DOS. I hope your timeline continues to show a short trend... 

I did not email them, as our immigration attorney strongly recommended against it as it could result in negative outcomes. We submitted evidence that I am (was) on the frontline with fight against COVID-19, including first author publications... still nothing 

My lawyer advised me against sending them emails too. But I didn't care, i was simply tired of being neglected. In the emails, they told me they would only consider my email and request for expedition if my case was beyond the normal processing time (16 to 24 weeks) which it was not. My case is marriage-based, which I was told would be pretty quick to get the waiver. Guess not! what is your case based on? I think you have been held up for too long and deserve FR asap. 

[KYZ 5]

3 minutes ago, Aramcod said:

My lawyer advised me against sending them emails too. But I didn't care, i was simply tired of being neglected. In the emails, they told me they would only consider my email and request for expedition if my case was beyond the normal processing time (16 to 24 weeks) which it was not. My case is marriage-based, which I was told would be pretty quick to get the waiver. Guess not! what is your case based on? I think you have been held up for too long and deserve FR asap. 

Thanks so much for the info. Mine is based on marriage (GC), and parenthood (toddler son, citizen). I guess I should email them, I feel encouraged now. I’ll give them one more week and inquire. I have job offers lined up, I am a doctor, and tired of just sitting home in this pandemic mess... 

[dm2003 3]

  

8 hours ago, Mlle_Wanderlust said:

Hello

 

I have applied for a J1 waiver and sent all the documents to the Indian Embassy and DoS on 25th November.

USPS shows package was received by DoS on 28th November and money order was cashed on 2nd December 2020

Embassy sent me a NoS on 5th December but even now the DoS website shows no update on my case.

It says no information is available about my case number.

Could  someone please tell me if this is something normal or do they update it as soon as they have cashed the money order?

I emailed the 212waiver address in the first week of December and they said they did not have my application as it is sent to them after the office in St. Louis receives it.

 

 

My package was delivered on November 17, 2020 and then information was shown on the website on Jan 04 and 05 2021.

It takes my package 6 weeks 6 days to be viewable on the DoS website.

Edited January 9, 2021 by dm2003

[Aramcod 0]

4 hours ago, KYZ said:

Thanks so much for the info. Mine is based on marriage (GC), and parenthood (toddler son, citizen). I guess I should email them, I feel encouraged now. I’ll give them one more week and inquire. I have job offers lined up, I am a doctor, and tired of just sitting home in this pandemic mess... 

I totally understand your frustration. Here is how they replied to my last (3rd) email: As you see the word 'hello' is in a different font and size from the rest of the email, which shows their answers are fixed and they just copy and paste it and send it. In my last email, i told them that I got a federal job and they asked me for a proof of citizenship or permanent residence. So I asked them for an expedited processing...

 

But I would highly recommend that you email them. they are professional and answer with respect and it won't make them mad  I'm positive considering your long wait, they would cooperate. 

[Jacobian 9]

Hello,

 

I sent my completed application on October 5th, and it was updated on November 3rd.

My embassy also forwarded the NOS on October 20th, but it still hasn't been updated yet. Email enquiry has not been helpful. Has anyone faced this kind of delay?

 

[SG_J1 4]

@Jacobian. Yes, it takes about 4-6 Weeks during which the DoS maintains that it did not receive the NOS even if it was send by email and should show up immediately. This drove me positively insane and I had the embassy resend my NOS about 5 times. However, after reading in this forum I realise this delay appears to be normal and probably it was not necessary to resend the NOS repeatedly (My embassy was ready to kill me).

[mango11 4]

Hi! Does anyone know if they'll accept cashier's checks/money orders paid by someone else as long as my info is included in the memo? I don't live in the US right now and my country has limited options to make international money orders, so I'm wondering if I can submit a cashiers check made by my partner who still lives in the US.

 

Any info would be appreciated!

[Mlle_Wanderlust 3]

On 1/9/2021 at 12:14 AM, Jacobian said:

Hello,

 

I sent my completed application on October 5th, and it was updated on November 3rd.

My embassy also forwarded the NOS on October 20th, but it still hasn't been updated yet. Email enquiry has not been helpful. Has anyone faced this kind of delay?

 

That was really quick! USPS shows my package was delivered on 28 november and even now the website shows no information on my case.

What email did you use to contact the embassy? All my emails are bouncing back and they don't receive calls either

[melmasry 0]

4 hours ago, Mlle_Wanderlust said:

That was really quick! USPS shows my package was delivered on 28 november and even now the website shows no information on my case.

What email did you use to contact the embassy? All my emails are bouncing back and they don't receive calls either

 

it took my application three and half month for the NOS to appear in my application and as well the emails was not helpful

[Jacobian 9]

On 1/10/2021 at 5:21 AM, SG_J1 said:

@Jacobian. Yes, it takes about 4-6 Weeks during which the DoS maintains that it did not receive the NOS even if it was send by email and should show up immediately. This drove me positively insane and I had the embassy resend my NOS about 5 times. However, after reading in this forum I realise this delay appears to be normal and probably it was not necessary to resend the NOS repeatedly (My embassy was ready to kill me).

@SG_J1  Yeah, I have just gone through that experience. NOS is finally updated. I don't want to sound cynical but I wish there was a better way to know about the NOS' receipt because waiting 3 months for the NOS to show up is stressful, quite frankly.  

[habibti 1]

I am finally done!

 

My timeline:

Application packet was sent to DOS:                                                                  Feb 26th, 2020

DOS updated status – Documents received:                                                    Mar 22th, 2020

 

DOS updated status with NOS – Documents received:                                   Sep 9th, 2020

 

DOS updated status - Favorable Recommendation Sent                                September 24th, 2020

Hard copy of Favorable Recommendation received                                        September 24, 2020

USCIS I612 Application Receipt Notice (I-797C)                                              Never received hardcopy in of the receipt (I called USCIS to get my receipt number)

USCIS I612 Application Approval Notice (I-797)                                              Jan 4th, 2021                      

 

This entire process took close to a year for me. The wait can be painful, but please hang in there! 

[scaice 1]

Hi all! I am still waiting for the final decision from USCIS. I got a favorable recommendation from DoS on November 16th, on no-objection basis. 

 

1. Does anyone know how long is taking for the USCIS to make the final determination? 

2. is there a way to check my status at the USCIS, I haven't received any receipt number. I tried calling several times but without a receipt number they won't give me any information.

3. Do I have to file any additional forms to get the USCIS final recommendation? Or should I wait to get it by mail  (as the one that arrived from the DoS)

 

@hlUSAj1 did you received the final decision by mail?

 

@habibti Congrats on success after your long process! How were you able to get your receipt number at the USCIS, I have called many times and they havent been able to help me. 

 

 

Any help answering any of these questions is much appreciated! 

 

Many thanks!

 

Here is my timeline:

Edited January 12, 2021 by scaice

[hlUSAj1 6]

10 minutes ago, scaice said:

Hi all! I am still waiting for the final decision from USCIS. I got a favorable recommendation from DoS on November 16th, on no-objection basis. 

 

1. Does anyone know how long is taking for the USCIS to make the final determination? 

2. is there a way to check my status at the USCIS, I haven't received any receipt number. I tried calling several times but without a receipt number they won't give me any information.

3. Do I have to file any additional forms to get the USCIS final recommendation? Or should I wait to get it by mail  (as the one that arrived from the DoS)

 

@hlUSAj1 did you received the final decision by mail?

 

@habibti Congrats on success after your long process! How were you able to get your receipt number at the USCIS, I have called many times and they havent been able to help me. 

 

 

Any help answering any of these questions is much appreciated! 

 

Many thanks!

 

Here is my timeline:

I haven’t, I’m still waiting. I asked for a copy of the favorable recommendation letter to the DOS and they sent me a copy to my email but there is no receipt number. I also have no answer from USCIS or received any hard copy from DOS or USCIS by mail.