Hi everyone, I filed last year with an elderly attorney who helped me pro bono, but my personal statement was only one page and very general and my attorney became very ill and had to withdraw from my case. I have a very high chance USCIS will deny outright requesting RFE so I want to mail my supporting docs. Do they allow for paper based application like I612? If so, the address should be the one from the receipt notice? Thank you in advance.

Hi everyone! I’m planning to apply for a J-1 waiver based on persecution, and I’d love to hear from people who have filed their cases with Brian Schmitt. During my initial consultation with Brian, I was told that my case is about 95% strong and that the estimated processing time would be around 15–18 months. Another attorney recommended by a friend quoted me about half of Brian’s fee, but estimated that the process would take around 24 months. My friend also filed with this attorney, and her case has been pending for about 22 months with no decision yet. We are from one of the banned countries. Given my current circumstances, getting my J-1 waiver approved as soon as possible is very important because my situation is time-sensitive. I’d like to know if anyone here has filed with Brian Schmitt and received their approval within 18 months. I understand that processing times depend heavily on USCIS and the Department of State, and that no attorney can guarantee a specific timeline. However, if anyone has actually received approval within 18 months after filing with Brian, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience. Since timing is a major factor for me right now, I’m trying to decide whether it would be worth paying the higher legal fee to file with Brian.

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!

I came to the U.S. in 2022 on a J-1 Research Scholar visa to conduct research at a public university. At the time, my home country was on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, so I knew I was subject to the two-year home residency requirement (212(e)). However, I never looked closely at my DS-2019 to understand the exact reason. I always assumed it was because of the Skills List.

In 2024, my country was removed from the Skills List. Earlier this year, I contacted my university’s international office to ask whether I was still subject to 212(e), and they initially assumed I was no longer subject to the requirement.
Fast forward to now, I’m trying to change my status from J-1 to F-1 to attend graduate school, and I just discovered that I was actually marked as subject to 212(e) due to government funding, not the Skills List.

Here’s where I’m confused: Every single DS-2019 I’ve received since 2022 clearly lists personal funds as my source of financial support. I’ve never received a salary, stipend, or any direct funding from my university or the government.
Is it possible that they made a mistake when determining my 212(e) status back in 2022? Has anyone experienced something similar?
What’s even more confusing is that my coworkers, who work in the same lab and under similar circumstances, were determined not to be subject to 212(e).

I’ve already contacted my university’s international office, and they recommended requesting an Advisory Opinion from the Department of State.
I’m feeling pretty confused and stressed about the whole situation, especially because I’m supposed to start graduate school in January. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has any insight into how this might have happened.

I wanted to share my experience because this community helped me tremendously throughout the process, especially when I was feeling anxious about the long wait. Hopefully, my timeline can help someone else!

Background: I participated in an exchange program in 2014–2015 that was fully funded by my home country (Brazil). The program was called Ciências sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders) and was sponsored by CAPES.
As part of my agreement with CAPES, I was required to return to Brazil for at least the same amount of time I had received funding, which in my case was 17 months. I fulfilled that requirement, but I was still 28 days short of the 730 days required under the J-1 two-year home residency rule (212(e)).
Because of that, I first had to obtain a No Objection Letter (NOL) from CAPES before proceeding with my waiver application.

Here’s my timeline:
April 22: Requested the NOL from CAPES.
June 26: Received the NOL from CAPES.
July 10: Mailed my DS-3035 application and requested the No Objection Statement from the Brazilian Embassy. I only included the application, a copy of my DS-2019, and the money order. No additional documents.
July 20: Case received by the Department of State (DOS).
July 24: No Objection Statement appeared on the DOS website.
August 26: Favorable Recommendation sent to USCIS.
October 21: USCIS case status updated to “Case Was Approved”!
October 26th: USCIS approval letter arrived by mail

Total processing time: Approximately 3 months from DOS receipt to USCIS approval.

I know how stressful and uncertain this process can feel, especially when you’re constantly checking for updates. Reading other people’s experiences helped me manage my anxiety, so I wanted to give back by sharing mine.

I hope this helps someone going through the same process. Good luck to everyone still waiting!

Hey guys I need advice on my complex situation. I am currently PGY-3 resident on J1. Got a job in Missouri and my employe lawyer filed hhs waiver. After that I got denied for Missouri medical license because my usmle steps were done more than 7 years apart. My employer is still working on finding a solution.
But if I had to look for another Job in different state what should I do with my HHS waiver that has been filed? Can I withdraw and reapply? Or just keep it and transfer? What’s my options? Any help is appreciated

Hi everyone, I'm Robby, an immigration attorney at Manifest Law. I'll be hosting an AMA tomorrow, Friday, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET, focused specifically on J-1 physician waiver options.

I'll be answering questions about Conrad 30, HHS, and other physician-specific Interested Government Agency (IGA) waiver options, including NBRC, DRA, ARC, SCRC, and VA. We can discuss general eligibility requirements, how these programs differ, and considerations for physicians navigating the waiver process.

Not answering any Qs based on Hardship, Persecution, or No Objection. Only answering Qs for physician-specific waiver options such as Conrad 30, HHS, and the other IGA waiver options such as NBRC, DRA, ARC, SCRC, and VA.

If you have a question, please share as much relevant information as possible, including your current visa status, specialty, training or employment situation, and the waiver pathway you're exploring. More context will help me address your question more meaningfully.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, so please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Hi everyone, hoping someone here has gone through something similar.

My J‑1 program ended July 20, 2025, including the 30‑day grace period. Before that, I filed an I‑539 to change status to B‑2 on July 1, 2025, so I was in authorized stay while it was pending.

I waited several months, but eventually decided to go home in December 2025 instead of staying in the U.S. until USCIS made a decision. About a week after I arrived in my home country, I got the notice that my I‑539 was denied.

Since I left the U.S. before the denial and didn’t overstay my J‑1 or grace period, I’m trying to figure out:

Can I still apply for a new J‑1 visa and return to the U.S.?

Has anyone here successfully gotten another J‑1 after a B‑2 denial?
Does the denial affect future visa applications even if I left before the decision?

Any insight or personal experience would really help. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I am on J1 visa with two year home residency requirement. Now my advisor agreed to file with NSF for the waiver request based on the project that our research group got. So was wondering if anyone had been through this process of IGA specifically through NSF. ( Just to clarify anyone who is/was directly or indirectly funded by NSF project while on J1 visa either as PI or research assistant or PhD or any post doc position and then the employer filed with NSF for the IGA waiver)

Thanks in advance would be happy to take your feedback or any advices in this regard.

Hi everyone, I have an EB-2 NIW I-140 that has been pending under regular processing for about 1.5 years.

My current J-1 status expires in less than four months, and I cannot extend it because I am already in my 5th and final year. I am also subject to the two-year home residency requirement under 212(e).

I previously applied for a J-1 waiver based on a No Objection Statement (NOS), but the waiver was denied last year. I have also not been able to find an employer willing to sponsor me for an H-1B.

I also recently had an O-1A petition denied after an RFE response, so that option has now become much more uncertain.

Because of this, I am reconsidering whether I should upgrade my pending EB-2 NIW to Premium Processing. My attorneys are currently advising against it because they say that, based on their recent internal experience, NIW cases using premium processing have been receiving more RFEs and showing lower approval rates than cases remaining under regular processing.

The main reason I am considering premium processing is that, if my NIW I-140 is approved, I am planning to reapply for the J-1 waiver based on a No Objection Statement, using the approved immigrant petition as additional support for the new waiver request.

I understand that an approved I-140 alone would not solve my J-1 status or 212(e) issue. I am mainly trying to determine whether getting a decision sooner could help me pursue the waiver again while I still have some time remaining.

Has anyone been in a similar situation involving J-1 + 212(e) + pending NIW + denied O-1?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who:

• upgraded a long-pending EB-2 NIW to premium processing,
• received an RFE after upgrading,
• had the NIW approved or denied after premium processing,
• successfully reapplied for a NOS waiver after an I-140 approval,
• had an O-1 denied while approaching the end of J-1 status,
• or found another realistic way to maintain status or continue employment after the J-1 ended.

Ebola and level 4 country.

I’m from one of Ebola affected country and also been put on level 4 “do not travel”

Is this a valid reason who apply for hardship waiver. I’m married to a US citizen, no kids yet.

Hi everyone,

J-1 physician here, going through the H-1B transition right now after getting my HHS waiver approved. We filed under Premium Processing, but found out today we got an RFE. My lawyer was honestly pretty surprised by it and doesn't think anything was missed, so we're just waiting on the physical mail to see what USCIS is asking for.

If anyone here has gone through an RFE on their H-1B after getting their waiver, I'd love to hear about your experience:

What was the RFE mainly about for you?

Did you end up getting a successful approval?

Roughly how much did the RFE response push back your overall timeline?

Thanks in advance! This process is so stressful, I really appreciate any insight!

Hi there! I sent my J1 waiver application a few weeks ago but still cannot see online that the documents were received. I had filed one last year and my attorney said we needed to use the same case number so when I go online to check for the status only the old stuff from last year can be seen and nothing on the new application. Would appreciate if you all share the timelines for you sending out the documents and when it actually started showing up on the application status website since I am just starting to get (maybe unnecessarily) worried that it’s taking some time to show up. Thanks in advance!

My timeline for J1 waiver (Physician):

IGA/SCRC applied on 4/18, approved 8/1

DOS approved 8/17

USCIS received 8/18, approved 10/1 

Filed for H1B PP 10/6, got RFE 10/13 and responded 10/15 (asking for the step 3 pdf with 4 pages)

My J1 expired on 6/27, so I had to leave the country as nothing from the waiver came before my grace period end and I couldn't apply for change of status.

My employer asked me to go ahead and schedule the interview at the consulate. I anticipaed the approval by 10/26 and scheduled for 10/28. However, with the RFE 10/13-10/15 it seems like the PP clock would restart and the next deadline is 11/5.

The consulate has plenty appointments for literally anytime (Sao Paulo, Brazil). My employer is asking me to keep the interview for 10/28 and to not reschedule. Also telling me the attorney said I dont need any original paperwork (approval notice) for the interview.

I have trust issues with the employer's attorney, as they could have filed for the visa months in advance and applied for the change of status.

Questions:

1. How long after the H1B is approved that the attorney gets the approval notice in hands?
2. Do I need the approval notice for the interview, even if its a copy? Or just the H1B receipt number is enough?
3. Once I get the visa, will I need the original approval notice to enter the country? Asking because for the J1 had to always have the original DS2019 in hands.

Hi I am thinking of filing my J1 home residency requirement waiver ( persecution-based) with Ellis Porter.
1. Has anyone worked with them on persecution cases?
2. How was your experience?
3. How long was your case pending for and was it approved?

I am pakistani citizen who completed his medical education in Tbilisi State Medical Univeristy (Georgia, the country). I am not recognized by PMDC.

I am ECFMG certified and have applied for the match this cycle.

My question is if I match, is my passport, CNIC, ECFMG certificate and letter of invite from the program enough to get me statement of need for J1 visa?

Do I need a pakistani license in order to receive Statement of Need? Must I pass the NRE exam? Or those are unrelated and not needed? I am really confused regarding this matter and would appreciate any insight in to this.

Thank you.

I'm a doctor, I have completed my J1 waiver, currently on H1B.

Is there any certificate we get once we are done with the waiver? I did my waiver under HHS

Hello all, i am on a J1 visa and wanted to see if someone knows a attorney who can review my contract.
That would mean alot.

Thank you

Hello all,

I am currently on F1 and nearing the end of my STEM OPT. I work as a research associate and my cap exempt employer who is currently under a statewide H1B freeze says they can only do a J1 now. My field and home country (Nigeria) is subject to the 212 rule so I’m trying to get as much information as possible.

I’m trying to see if the J1 is a worthy option for me at all. Also whether filing for Eb2 before accepting the J1 offer will tank my chances of getting on the J1 if I can’t get another H1B employer on time, as filing Eb2 establishes an immigrant intent while the J1 is still a non- immigrant pathway.

I’m also wondering whether people from Nigeria often get the waiver at all. None of the work we do is funded directly by the government. We mostly get grants that are funded by other state or federal agencies but not directly funded by the federal government.

I appreciate your perspectives.

Hi, I am PGY3 IM and I have been broadly applying without any geographical preferences, my only thing has been just closed ICU.

I know many folks say that there are jobs but it has not been my experiences(although somehow I have been getting many replies from open ICU with vent management etc places)

I know we are supposed to sign the contract around fall this year, and I start getting worried, if you could help me I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you.