J1 Hardship Waiver 2021-2022 Timeline

[Amr1983 1]

On 7/27/2024 at 8:53 PM, Sabina Bart said:

Hi guys, has anyone experienced this- Got FR from DOS back on May 8, 2024 and still USCIS says I am not in the system and DOS claims they forwarded everything to the USCIS and also sent a copy of I-613 to me. Anyways, it’s been over 2 months about to be 3 nothing. I did apply for I-485 before as I was out of status and needed to have something while this I-612 was still processing… I know I shouldn’t have done it but I had no choice because of my status. They denied my I-485 couple of days ago claiming they never got anything on I-612 even though DOS forwarded everything. I have no idea what to do. I will probably not probably I will have to reopen the case with I-290B because applying for new I-485 is gonna be expensive and it’s a 2 year waiting now. I wonder if I can for now show my DOS Fr, I keep bugging USCIS and even did multiple inquiries and started another one yesterday with a congresswoman. It’s ridiculous how this system screws up everyone. I am trying to prove that the denial was erroneous because I have already DOS’s approval. 

Did you received your final USCIS approval? I hope everything went well with your AOS

[worrieduser 3]

Anyone still waiting to hear back? My case suddenly disappeared from the DOS website today but they still haven't received my 612 😭

[metehan 3]

A miracle has happened, hard to believe. 22 months of USICS processing with 2 RFE's, and DOS approval in 2.5 months. Looks like things have started changing. Thank you everybody in this forum for all your help, hope this misery ends as soon as possible for all of us.

[nindiya09 0]

On 10/21/2024 at 7:04 PM, metehan said:

A miracle has happened, hard to believe. 22 months of USICS processing with 2 RFE's, and DOS approval in 2.5 months. Looks like things have started changing. Thank you everybody in this forum for all your help, hope this misery ends as soon as possible for all of us.

 

Hello! I recently got favorable recommendation as well, got in on October 1st. It has been over a month but I have not heard anything from USCIS and my status did not change there. Did you get USCIS approval yet? What can we do if we have not heard anything from USCIS after DOS approval?

[lennikov 36]

Dear Community, it's been a while. I wanted to provide an update on my timeline from a Favorable Recommendation in April this year to my current situation of the adjustment of status.  It took me several months to assemble all the documents to file the adjustment of status; I had to re-issue my marriage certificate due to a minor mistake we did not notice years ago and complete health appointments for STDs, transmittable diseases, and overall health. The point of interest is that you will need many vaccines, most of which are available for free from CVS, with most health insurance coverage. However, if you do this vaccine on the day of the appointment, your insurance will not cover it and will go 100% from your pocket. The immigration health appointment staff may not necessarily be forthcoming regarding this aspect unless you ask them directly. So, it is best to get the list of the vaccines you are missing and get them from CVS or your PCP. Finally, I filed for the position on September 5th of this year. I filed I-485 for myself and my wife, I-131 for travel authorization, and I-765 for work authorization. On October 25th, I reviewed my fingerprint appointment. A few weeks later, my work and travel authorization was approved, and I received a combo card allowing me to work in the US without restrictions and travel in and out of the country. The filing fees and other unrelated expenses have depleted my resources, so even though I can travel now, I don't expect any international travel in the next couple of years. My wife only received work authorization; her travel authorization is still pending after fingerprint collection. While green card review certainly takes its time, it is incomparable with the hell of 3 years of waiting for an I-612 waiver, and you get benefits along the way with work and travel authorizations. I'll update you on the final outcome and if I will be required for the green card interview. Here is some advice for those waiting for their waiver: If you want to save time, prepare your green card submission package in advance. It makes sense to do it after a positive recommendation. If rejected, the document effort would be useless, but preparing the green card submission can save you several months as you can file within weeks you receive the I-612 approval letter as soon as you finish your health appointment and receive the sealed package with your health information. 

[nindiya09 0]

18 hours ago, lennikov said:

Dear Community, it's been a while. I wanted to provide an update on my timeline from a Favorable Recommendation in April this year to my current situation of the adjustment of status.  It took me several months to assemble all the documents to file the adjustment of status; I had to re-issue my marriage certificate due to a minor mistake we did not notice years ago and complete health appointments for STDs, transmittable diseases, and overall health. The point of interest is that you will need many vaccines, most of which are available for free from CVS, with most health insurance coverage. However, if you do this vaccine on the day of the appointment, your insurance will not cover it and will go 100% from your pocket. The immigration health appointment staff may not necessarily be forthcoming regarding this aspect unless you ask them directly. So, it is best to get the list of the vaccines you are missing and get them from CVS or your PCP. Finally, I filed for the position on September 5th of this year. I filed I-485 for myself and my wife, I-131 for travel authorization, and I-765 for work authorization. On October 25th, I reviewed my fingerprint appointment. A few weeks later, my work and travel authorization was approved, and I received a combo card allowing me to work in the US without restrictions and travel in and out of the country. The filing fees and other unrelated expenses have depleted my resources, so even though I can travel now, I don't expect any international travel in the next couple of years. My wife only received work authorization; her travel authorization is still pending after fingerprint collection. While green card review certainly takes its time, it is incomparable with the hell of 3 years of waiting for an I-612 waiver, and you get benefits along the way with work and travel authorizations. I'll update you on the final outcome and if I will be required for the green card interview. Here is some advice for those waiting for their waiver: If you want to save time, prepare your green card submission package in advance. It makes sense to do it after a positive recommendation. If rejected, the document effort would be useless, but preparing the green card submission can save you several months as you can file within weeks you receive the I-612 approval letter as soon as you finish your health appointment and receive the sealed package with your health information. 

Thank you so much for sharing your timeline and all this information is very useful. I got DOS favorable recommendation on October 1st, but until today I have not received the USCIS decision. My lawyer said that I could start the process with the AOS, but I'm hesitant to start until I receive a final letter from USCIS. Now, nowing that it takes several months based on your experiences to file of AOS, should I start the process now? Thank you.

[Kel-Thuzad 0]

After 455 days today my case was sent from USCIS to DoS (I think??). How much time would it take from there? And where do I track it now?

[nindiya09 0]

On 11/19/2024 at 10:14 AM, Kel-Thuzad said:

After 455 days today my case was sent from USCIS to DoS (I think??). How much time would it take from there? And where do I track it now?

My case got to DOS in January 2024 and I got a FR on October 1st, 2024 so about 10 month at DOS. I got DOS scholarship but not fulbright.