J1 Hardship Waiver 2021-2022 Timeline

[Hardship LM 1]

4 minutes ago, ErinK said:

unfortunately it's an automated response. I got the exact same response. I then requested an expedited processing based on humanitarian need that they rejected within a day. Not even enough time to go through the documents I sent them. My case is really urgent based on the opinions from two lawyers and the congress person who was trying to help us. It's literally the matter of life and death. It's all auto reply unfortunately. You don't lose anything by asking for expedited processing though. 

 

Yeah my lawyer tried twice to expedite the process, but same as you they denied it within minutes without reading my documents.  

I'm sorry you're going thru a life/death situation.  We are all super stressed out, I wish there was something else we could do like create a viral twitter thread or something to get the president's attention lol 

[ErinK 35]

Just now, Hardship LM said:

 

Yeah my lawyer tried twice to expedite the process, but same as you they denied it within minutes without reading my documents.  

I'm sorry you're going thru a life/death situation.  We are all super stressed out, I wish there was something else we could do like create a viral twitter thread or something to get the president's attention lol 

It's really stressful. And to know that they only have 300 of these cases a year and they are still this slow is really maddening. I even wrote to Biden but got an auto reply that had nothing to do with my case!!! Like literally they have a software that picks up a word in your email and send you one of the auto replies that they have. If you write to the White House and your letter has the word "covid" in it for example, they send you a letter thanking you for you thoughts on COVID no matter what else your letter says. Same for hardship, unemployment, health,... 

 

I hope they just pick up the pace and process our cases. 

[Pillowchis 6]

1 hour ago, Hardship LM said:

Helo!

I did my first congressional inquiry. This is what the DOS responded... Is this a general automatic response? I don't want to feel hopeful if it's just an automatic response to everybody.   Thanks for reading me. 

 

 

 

Thank you for contacting 212(e) Waiver Congressional Inquiries.

 

The Waiver Review Division is working to process "####" case. Processing times for waiver recommendations by the Department of State, Waiver Review Division vary depending on the basis under which the applicant requests a waiver of the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.  The processing time of nine to twelve months is an estimated timeframe and sometimes can take longer.  When all documents have been received, the processing time starts to run and the requests are taken in order of receipt.  Once a recommendation has been made, "####" case will be electronically forwarded to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) California Service Center (CSC) where  "####" J-1 waiver eligibility will be determined.  We assure you that the request will be processed as soon as possible.  "####" may continue to monitor the status of the request by going to https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov/ and using case number "####".

 

The Waiver Review Division does have an expedited processing track, but it is reserved only for those cases in which there is a significant humanitarian need or in which there exists a clear and significant U.S. government interest.  Should this office/the applicant feel this case meets one or both of these criteria, please send an email outlining the circumstances and clearly request expedited processing.

 

We hope that this information proves helpful. 

 

Regards,

 

 

Waiver Review Division

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

 

 

I received the same email coming from a senator when I seek for his assistance. 

[Pillowchis 6]

8 hours ago, ErinK said:

It's really stressful. And to know that they only have 300 of these cases a year and they are still this slow is really maddening. I even wrote to Biden but got an auto reply that had nothing to do with my case!!! Like literally they have a software that picks up a word in your email and send you one of the auto replies that they have. If you write to the White House and your letter has the word "covid" in it for example, they send you a letter thanking you for you thoughts on COVID no matter what else your letter says. Same for hardship, unemployment, health,... 

 

I hope they just pick up the pace and process our cases. 

Yes, it is stressful and it triggers my anxiety. My next plan is to email the Pres but I think its not my option anymore because of what you mentioned. I just hope DOS will have a more systematic procedures to handle cases specifically hardship. Wondering why hardship is taking so long? 

[Lilly999 5]

Hardship waiver timeline

application submitted sep 21

forward to DOS Feb 2022 (no RFE) 

FR august 2022 

[PeterW 17]

Congrantulation!!!!!!!

My case was also forwarded from USCIS to DOS at Feb 2022. And DOS received it at Apr. Now, it is still pending. It is so painful for wait. Your approval gave me hope! Did you request expedited process and WRD approved your request and accelerated your case?

Thanks！

[Lilly999 5]

22 minutes ago, PeterW said:

Congrantulation!!!!!!!

My case was also forwarded from USCIS to DOS at Feb 2022. And DOS received it at Apr. Now, it is still pending. It is so painful for wait. Your approval gave me hope! Did you request expedited process and WRD approved your request and accelerated your case?

Thanks！

No I did not expedite but I did not have govt. funding. My case was received by DOS in early March. Hang in there! I have heard of many approvals recently and hopefully yours will come soon.

[ErinK 35]

19 hours ago, Lilly999 said:

Hardship waiver timeline

application submitted sep 21

forward to DOS Feb 2022 (no RFE) 

FR august 2022 

Congrats! Such good news. Gave all of us some hope. Does having governmental funding usually means faster processing? 

[ErinK 35]

2 hours ago, ErinK said:

Congrats! Such good news. Gave all of us some hope. Does having governmental funding usually means faster processing? 

meant "not having governmental funding"

[Lilly999 5]

24 minutes ago, ErinK said:

meant "not having governmental funding"

Yes from what I heard. 

[PeterW 17]

11 hours ago, Lilly999 said:

No I did not expedite but I did not have govt. funding. My case was received by DOS in early March. Hang in there! I have heard of many approvals recently and hopefully yours will come soon.

Thank you so much! Does the government funding mean US government funding? I don't have US goverment funding either. Hopefully I will have the recommendation soon🙏

[ErinK 35]

On 8/20/2022 at 10:31 PM, Lilly999 said:

Hardship waiver timeline

application submitted sep 21

forward to DOS Feb 2022 (no RFE) 

FR august 2022 

Can you keep us updated on when USCIS receives the DoS's FR and how long they take to send you the waiver? Best of luck with everything and hope the rest of your immigration journey goes very smoothly

Edited August 22, 2022 by ErinK

[MayurSh 0]

15 hours ago, ErinK said:

Can you keep us updated on when USCIS receives the DoS's FR and how long they take to send you the waiver? Best of luck with everything and hope the rest of your immigration journey goes very smoothly

Congratulations!! Please keep us updated regarding the timeline to USCIS and I-485 status. Thanks much.

[Lilly999 5]

17 hours ago, ErinK said:

Can you keep us updated on when USCIS receives the DoS's FR and how long they take to send you the waiver? Best of luck with everything and hope the rest of your immigration journey goes very smoothly

Thank you! I have not received the notice yet. My lawyer says it takes about a month after approval for uscis to send the final notice 

[PeterW 17]

On 6/21/2022 at 10:02 AM, MayurSh said:

 

My J-1 Hardship timeline: 

Submitted to USCIS 10/2020

Transferred to DOS 08/2021

I-612/613: Updated 05/2022

Still waiting for the response. 

Hello, it seems that some cases DOS received at March 2022 have been FR. How is your case going now? May I ask when your J will expire? Thank you!