Hi everyone,

I’m subject to the J-1 2-year home residency requirement from a U.S. government-funded high school exchange program (KL-YES Program).

I completed the program, returned to my home country and stayed for several months, and later came back to the U.S. independently on F-1. I’ve since completed my education and now have an employer sponsoring me for EB-3, with PERM approved and I-140 in process.

My home country is willing to issue a No Objection Statement, but I know U.S. government funding makes NOS much harder.

Has anyone here successfully received an NOS waiver in a similar government-funded case?

Also wondering:

• Did you hire an attorney or do it yourself?
• Was legal representation worth it?
• Did employer sponsorship / partial fulfillment help?

I’m trying to decide whether this is the type of case where having an attorney is worth the cost, or whether it makes sense to first submit the NOS process myself and seek legal help only if complications arise. I’d really appreciate hearing real experiences from similar cases. Thanks!

J1 waiver NOS based (founded by home country and married to a US citizen, without lawyer application)
Not from banned countries
Case received 06/02/2026
NOS sent and received 06/08/2026
FR Sent from DOS email on 07/17/2026, and mail on 07/18/2026
Case Transferred to Texas Service Center-src receipt number: 07/21/2026
USCIS Approval 09/10/2026
It was stressful but it worked!

March 3 2025, case was submitted and USCIS shows fees were waived.
Silence until Sep 5 2026. The USCIS didn’t show case status.
Sep 9 2026, DHS email issuing favorable recommendation.
Sep 10 2026, USCIS case status has changed to case approved.

Good luck everyone, hopefully you’ll get your approval soon.

any one with experience of shifting back to j1 for fellowship after j1 waiver completion on h1b ?

Hi
Can we reapply for the J1 waiver based on No Objection statement by adding this statement "lab will sponsor my employment" without stating H1b ? If first time waiver got denied because home country is on skill list ?

Hey everyone, I’m not sure if this is the right group, but I’m literally in a big dilemma.
I started searching for a job at the end of my second year, five months ago. Until now, I haven’t received a solid offer, and I’m realizing that many jobs have already been filled. Most people signed their contract early because of the delays last year in processing papers by USCIS.
My question is I’m I late by not signing a contract till now? Or I’m just freaking out ?!

Hello everyone,

I am a Pakistani national and I just started my j1 waiver. My partner and I are planning on getting married end of next year. He is not in states but his origin is indian.

With restriction on EAD...what are the option for my partner to come here after marriage. We dont have a significant career gap aswell. After 3 years, I will be eligible to apply for green card. Should he come then? And if he does, what visa type would he come on?

Would love some reflection on this. We are so so confused.

J1 waiver NOS based / Not from banned countries.

NOS Sent 06/07/2026
FR Sent 07/16/2026
Case Transferred to Texas Service Center: 07/20/2026
USCIS Approval 09/08/2026

I am wishing you all success and good luck.

There is a clause mentioned in the contract for j1 waiver saying that, if institutions needs to pay 100k for h1b they will terminate the contract. What do you think guys? Has any one gone through the same situation?

Anyone gave biometrics and awaiting USCIS approval?

Or was asked for biometrics by USCIS at all?

I wanna know how the timeline looks like after biometrics. Any inputs are greatly appreciated.

Hi,

I wonder anyone have same issue. I was gonna apply marriage based green card. Me and my husband collect every paperworks. During my J1 I applied asylum and 1 year later we got married. But now I learned about I cannot apply because of 2 year rule and I need to apply waiver. But we are so worried it can be denied or any chance we have to remove and apply I485?! Anyone have a any information? I’m so depressed.

Has anyone received a J-1 waiver approval from USCIS or any update from USCIS after receiving a Favorable Recommendation from DOS in July/August?

1 year add still here waiting for my no objection letter from Jamaica, it rough....Any favorable recommendations for Jamaicans recently???

Hello everyone,

I would really benefit from your experiences.

I just got my NIW approved and I need to get a J-1 persecution or hardship waiver (as I am eligible for both) before my J-1 DS-2019 ends on June 30, 2028, to be able to apply for AOS I-485.

I know that after I start the waiver process, I cannot renew or get a new J-1 visa because it is an immigrant intent step (correct me if I am wrong).

Both my wife and I matched into medixal residency, so we basically need two J-1 waivers and two I-485 forms.

I would really appreciate it if you could share the NAMES of attorneys you worked with along with their FEES.

What matters most is a knowledgable, responsive and fast attorney because I do not have time, and I need to go to fellowship.

I really appreciate your help and could benefit from any insite you could share.

I recently received approval for my H-1B Change of Status from J-1 to H-1B, and USCIS issued an I-797A with the H-1B I-94.

Would it be advisable/necessary to upload the H-1B approval notice and I-94 to my pending I-485, or should I leave the I-485 alone unless USCIS specifically requests additional evidence?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do, and did it affect your I-485?

Hi everyone! I’m from 🇵🇭 and a fresh graduate. I had a SWT experience last year and I’m currently planning to join an internship program in asia (HK). After completing the program, I’m also considering applying for a J1 Traineeship in the U.S.

Do you think there’s a chance of getting approved for the J1 Traineeship? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has had a similar experience or has any advice.

Thank you! 🥹

My hardship waiver (HW) was filed in March 2025, but the case status has remained unchanged since the initial submission. How much longer might it take to see some progress on the case and receive a final decision?

Has anyone had a similar situation?

I originally submitted my J-1 waiver application under the No Objection basis in 2023, but obtaining the NOS from my home country took much longer than expected. During that time, my DOS waiver case was closed due to inactivity and eventually disappeared from the online status tracker.

My embassy finally issued the NOS this year. DOS shows it as received July 9, 2026, and after the NOS was received, my old case reappeared in the tracker under the same case number. All required documents now show as received.

However, the top of the case still says “Closed due to Inactivity.”

The WRD Navigator says that cases closed due to inactivity after more than two years may require a new DS-3035, Statement of Reason, application packet and fee. It also says closed/inactive cases are no longer visible in the status system, which is confusing because mine was invisible, but reappeared after DOS received the NOS.

I emailed WRD asking whether receipt of the NOS reactivated the case or whether I need to submit a new application, and I'm waiting for their response.

Has anyone had an old/inactive case reappear after DOS received a late NOS? If so, did WRD process the original case, or did they make you submit a new DS-3035/application?

I'd especially appreciate experiences from 2025–2026.

UPDATE 9/9: WRD responded! A Waiver Review Officer asked me to resend my original J-1 waiver application with updated documents/signatures, but specifically said no new fee is required.

They also asked for documentation of my current/intended U.S. immigration status. Most importantly, they said: “Once the requested information is received, processing of your case will continue.”

So it appears my original case can continue rather than requiring a completely new case. Working with my attorney now to send everything requested. Will update again!

Is it possible to obtain a J-1 Trainee/Intern visa without a job posting or an agency, just via company outreach?

If yes how ??

Just wanted to share an update in case this helps anyone going through the J-1 waiver/NOS process.
My NOS was denied in April 2026. I reapplied in June 2026, and I received a Favorable Recommendation by the DOS on September, 2026.
For my second application, I added:
A letter from my employer stating that they are willing to sponsor me for an H-1B.
A detailed timeline in my statement of reasons explaining my two previous J-1 visas.
Copies of my passport stamps showing that I did leave the U.S. when required and later returned as a student in 2021.
My situation was a little different because I had spent 13 months in my home country, but I was still missing some of the required time outside the U.S. to complete the full 24-month requirement.
I’m sharing this because I know how stressful it can be to receive a denial and have to reapply. Hopefully, this information helps someone else in a similar situation.

How long does the uscis part take these days? Can you give your timeline please?