J1 waiver 2020 NOS update timeline

[dm2003 3]

14 hours ago, Sara77 said:

Hi

 

I recently got my FR update in DoS website. I updated the same in my previous message with my timeline. My question is when can I expect to receive the hardcopy letter from DoS? I have not received receipt from USCIS also. Will I get a receipt and can I check the status of final certificate with that receipt number? Also can we apply for H1B using hardcopy of FR from DoS or I have to wait until USCIS sends the final copy? Please suggest. Thank you.

There are three hard copies:

1) From DoS with FR-letter. From our members here including me, it will be either sent automatically by DoS or by request. My case especially they sent a hard copy and prior to its arrival at my mail box I sent an email and got a pdf-version of FR-letter.

2) After the FR from DoS, the entire case will be transferred to USCIS and wait for their final jurisdiction. DoS has completely no connections and USCIS will send you the RECEIPT NOTICE telling that they received your case from DoS. This one has your case# which you can use to track you case online for status

3) When you see you case has been decided (approved or denied) online using the Case#, you may receive your APPROVAL NOTICE. It takes time (vary by case) to receive in mail box. My case was 7 days (including weekend). My case was processed by Vermont Center.

 

In regard of H1B application,

I am not 100% sure but many do recommend that you can use the FR-letter for H1B application already. Again I am not an attorney and not 100% confident to tell. You can ask the attorney who is taking care of your H1B application, he/she will know.

 

Hope this helps.

Wish everyone luck.

Edited May 11, 2021 by dm2003

[Hardship waiver 20]

Hi! How long does it take DoS to respond to emails? Now it says between 15-20 days (!!!) 

 

Also how long does it take DoS to respond to congressional inquiries? USCIS responded within days. Thank you

[Sara77 0]

3 hours ago, dm2003 said:

There are three hard copies:

1) From DoS with FR-letter. From our members here including me, it will be either sent automatically by DoS or by request. My case especially they sent a hard copy and prior to its arrival at my mail box I sent an email and got a pdf-version of FR-letter.

2) After the FR from DoS, the entire case will be transferred to USCIS and wait for their final jurisdiction. DoS has completely no connections and USCIS will send you the RECEIPT NOTICE telling that they received your case from DoS. This one has your case# which you can use to track you case online for status

3) When you see you case has been decided (approved or denied) online using the Case#, you may receive your APPROVAL NOTICE. It takes time (vary by case) to receive in mail box. My case was 7 days (including weekend). My case was processed by Vermont Center.

 

In regard of H1B application,

I am not 100% sure but many do recommend that you can use the FR-letter for H1B application already. Again I am not an attorney and not 100% confident to tell. You can ask the attorney who is taking care of your H1B application, he/she will know.

 

Hope this helps.

Wish everyone luck.

Thank you so much for the detailed information. I haven't received hardcopies from DoS or USCIS yet. Hoping to receive soon. Regarding H1B, I will check with my international office lawyer.

 

Thank you again.

[HKAD 5]

Dear Members,

 

Has any one lately obtained a favorable recommendation for no objection statement case ? My case along with the no objection certificate was updated on 8th March, 2021. Its been 2 months now and no updates. DOS says the processing time is between 12-16 weeks but I was wondering if I should contact them and ask for an update ?? I saw in the forum that folks have obtained the favorable recommendation within two months or so after the no objection certificate has been updated. Can it really take full 4 months or more to receive the recommendation ? 

 

 

[Sara77 0]

13 hours ago, HKAD said:

Dear Members,

 

Has any one lately obtained a favorable recommendation for no objection statement case ? My case along with the no objection certificate was updated on 8th March, 2021. Its been 2 months now and no updates. DOS says the processing time is between 12-16 weeks but I was wondering if I should contact them and ask for an update ?? I saw in the forum that folks have obtained the favorable recommendation within two months or so after the no objection certificate has been updated. Can it really take full 4 months or more to receive the recommendation ? 

 

 

Hi,

 

I got my FR from DoS on April 30th. My case was pending since January 12th. With DoS you can never predict the timings. For some people they send FR pretty quick for some it takes whole 16 weeks (in my case). I saw in this group, that for many it has taken more than that. I emailed them several times in this 16 weeks wait period, but their standard answer was your application is complete and we are ready to process. So it was not of much use. But I suggest you to mail them and confirm if your application is complete or not, meaning all your documents has arrived or not. In my case, after reading the comments in this group, I contacted my local congressman and asked for their help. It was on April 26th I contacted them, and one of their representative contacted me for some additional documents to talk on my behalf on April 30th. I sent them in the morning and later in the evening the case changed to FR. So, I am not sure that the congressmen intervention speeded the process or I was already in 16th week, so they were obliged to send by that week, so they sent FR. Whatsoever, I got my FR. Case approved in USCIS on May 11th and today i am receiving my hardcopy. I know its a long wait. But we cant do much. I am not a lawyer, but I would give a try by contacting congressmen now (hoping that would expedite the process). But again, I am not sure if it is wise to send before stipulated 16 weeks and doing that would worsen the process. I am sorry I couldn't be of much help.

 

[Hardship waiver 20]

42 minutes ago, Sara77 said:

Hi,

 

I got my FR from DoS on April 30th. My case was pending since January 12th. With DoS you can never predict the timings. For some people they send FR pretty quick for some it takes whole 16 weeks (in my case). I saw in this group, that for many it has taken more than that. I emailed them several times in this 16 weeks wait period, but their standard answer was your application is complete and we are ready to process. So it was not of much use. But I suggest you to mail them and confirm if your application is complete or not, meaning all your documents has arrived or not. In my case, after reading the comments in this group, I contacted my local congressman and asked for their help. It was on April 26th I contacted them, and one of their representative contacted me for some additional documents to talk on my behalf on April 30th. I sent them in the morning and later in the evening the case changed to FR. So, I am not sure that the congressmen intervention speeded the process or I was already in 16th week, so they were obliged to send by that week, so they sent FR. Whatsoever, I got my FR. Case approved in USCIS on May 11th and today i am receiving my hardcopy. I know its a long wait. But we cant do much. I am not a lawyer, but I would give a try by contacting congressmen now (hoping that would expedite the process). But again, I am not sure if it is wise to send before stipulated 16 weeks and doing that would worsen the process. I am sorry I couldn't be of much help.

 

I am glad your wait is over. I, too, requested a Congressman’s help on week 24 (hardship) and I know the Congressman’s office processed it the same day, but it has been two weeks and nothing. 
 

good luck to everyone 

Edited May 14, 2021 by Hardship waiver

[HKAD 5]

Thank you Sara77 and Hardship waiver for your messages. I guess I have to wait and may be around the 13-14 week request them for a status update. In case of no reply, I will contact the local congressman for help. All the best to everyone who are waiting for the FR.

 

 

[Nancy29 0]

Hello Everyone, I need some help

I have a j1 visa and applied for my waiver 3 months ago. Last Friday, May 14th, the website updated that they received my DS-3035 form. I filled this online form three moths ago, I actually think that I saw it on the list of received documents before. Why is it now showing up. Why would it take three months for the DoS to receive an online form when they got all the rest of the paperwork I had to mail months ago. Even the letter of no objection all the way from my country. Does this mean that the countdown for them to review will start from May 14? I know it can take several moths after they received all documents. I know several other people that applied for waivers and The online form ds-3035 was one of the first things that the department of state marked as received. The company that is looking to sponsor me was also not happy about this because it looks like I just filled in the form. Is this a normal thing to happen? Would this delay process for too long? I barely have two months now. 

Any info woulod be great

Thanks!

[MKH 3]

13 hours ago, Nancy29 said:

Hello Everyone, I need some help

I have a j1 visa and applied for my waiver 3 months ago. Last Friday, May 14th, the website updated that they received my DS-3035 form. I filled this online form three moths ago, I actually think that I saw it on the list of received documents before. Why is it now showing up. Why would it take three months for the DoS to receive an online form when they got all the rest of the paperwork I had to mail months ago. Even the letter of no objection all the way from my country. Does this mean that the countdown for them to review will start from May 14? I know it can take several moths after they received all documents. I know several other people that applied for waivers and The online form ds-3035 was one of the first things that the department of state marked as received. The company that is looking to sponsor me was also not happy about this because it looks like I just filled in the form. Is this a normal thing to happen? Would this delay process for too long? I barely have two months now. 

Any info woulod be great

Thanks!

They generally update all the documents except the NOS at a same date(this should be the case as these are all part of single package), but I remember seen similar situation or two like yours in this forum. Yes it take 2-3 months to get the DOS site update from the delivery date to the Lockbox. 

Processing time is greatly varied after this stage( to be on positive note it took mine only 2 weeks), and it would do no harm sending an email with kindly mentioning the  details of your filing date and the dead line of yours.

 

[Ola87 5]

Dear All, 

 

I wrote DoS, and I was told they couldn’t find my application which was sent by my lawyer. So I was asked to send my package. I am a bit confused at this moment - my lawyer made 2 errors in my statement of reason. 
 

1. Do you think I should write another statement of reason as an additional document, and attach it to my email to DoS. I felt the lawyer cut out a lot of my selling points. 
2. Must I copy the lawyer in my response to DoS, as I didn’t tell him I wrote DoS until I got a response from them.
 

Please, help

[Hardship waiver 20]

8 minutes ago, Ola87 said:

Dear All, 

 

I wrote DoS, and I was told they couldn’t find my application which was sent by my lawyer. So I was asked to send my package. I am a bit confused at this moment - my lawyer made 2 errors in my statement of reason. 
 

1. Do you think I should write another statement of reason as an additional document, and attach it to my email to DoS. I felt the lawyer cut out a lot of my selling points. 
2. Must I copy the lawyer in my response to DoS, as I didn’t tell him I wrote DoS until I got a response from them.
 

Please, help

I remember how my lawyer asked me to send one page statement of reason. I am wondering now if that was enough. As confused and worried as you’re now.

[MKH 3]

12 minutes ago, Ola87 said:

Dear All, 

 

I wrote DoS, and I was told they couldn’t find my application which was sent by my lawyer. So I was asked to send my package. I am a bit confused at this moment - my lawyer made 2 errors in my statement of reason. 
 

1. Do you think I should write another statement of reason as an additional document, and attach it to my email to DoS. I felt the lawyer cut out a lot of my selling points. 
2. Must I copy the lawyer in my response to DoS, as I didn’t tell him I wrote DoS until I got a response from them.
 

Please, help

This is the same response I got  when I contacted them for the same reason., and sent them the details of my payment and scanned application as instructed. The next day DOS site got updated with document receipt, but I think  this was a coincidence as they normally take at least a week to process a email. This was confirmed as this Monday I received my FR in the  self addressed envelope included in my original package. BTW I did not have a lawyer.

 

PS

I wrote this above to point out that your package maybe still be found  and if there is no absolute need  to  change your Statement of reason  not to do that and stick to the original.

 

Edited May 19, 2021 by MKH

[Ola87 5]

can I add a page letter to support my application - 

do you think it will cause any harm. What do I have to loose if I did ? 

[Ola87 5]

9 minutes ago, MKH said:

This is the same response I got  when I contacted them for the same reason., and sent them the details of my payment and scanned application as instructed. The next day DOS site got updated with document receipt, but I think  this was a coincidence as they normally take at least a week to process a email. This was confirmed as this Monday I received my FR in the  self addressed envelope included in my original package. BTW I did not have a lawyer.

 

PS

I wrote this above to point out that your package maybe still be found  and if there is no absolute need  to  change your Statement of reason  not to do that and stick to the original.

 

Thanks, 

I am not planning to change my original Statement of Reason. I just wanna attach another one pager to the email - probably naming it 'additional info'. 

I feel its more authentic than what the lawyer wrote 

[ash7376 1]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for further information about timelines for USCIS I-612 recommendations/outcomes at the Vermont Service Center (for a NOS)?

 

Thanks.