Beginning March 31, 2000, the State Department revised the J-1 waiver process,
resulting in dramatically different procedures. Listed below are detailed instructions
on how to process any 212(e)-based waiver.
STEP 1)
To apply for a J-1 Waiver Recommendation, applicants must complete
a J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application, including the J-1 Visa Waiver
Review Application (also known as the Data Sheet), two self-addressed,
stamped, legal-size envelopes (SASE) and a processing fee of US$230
per application in the form of a cashier's check or money order
payable to the U.S. State Department and mail it to:
(Courier Service)
US
Department of State
Waiver Review Division
Box 952137
1005 Convention
Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101-1200 (Regular
Service) US
Department of State
Waiver Review Division
P. O. Box 952137
St. Louis,
MO 63195-2137
Please include
the applicant's following information on the cashier's check or
money order:
- Name
- Date and
Place of Birth
To print out
the J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application, please click
here.
STEP 2)
Once the Waiver Review Division has received the applicant's J-1
Visa Waiver Review Application, additional instructions will be
sent along with the applicant's assigned case number. The
instructions will include a list of oustanding documents that must
be submited in order to complete the application. After the applicant
has received the applicant's assigned case number, the applicant
must write the case number on all submitted documentation as well
as on the outside envelopes of all future correspondence.
If the applicant does not comply with these instructions, the submitted
documents will be returned back to the applicant.
STEP 3)
Applicant should submit all requested documents to the State Department.
Some documents, such as the "No Objection" statement must
be submitted directly to the Waiver Review Division by the Home
Country's Embassy. The applicant should request that the Embassy
write the case number on the "No Objection" statement
as well as on the outside of the envelope.
It
is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the file is complete. You can
check the application's status by calling (202) 663-1600. Applicant must know
the case number in order to obtain the case status.
STEP 4)
Once it has reviewed the complete file, the Waiver Review Division
will forward its recommendation directly to the USCIS. The applicant
will receive a copy of the recommendation at the address provided
on the applicant's J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application. If the application
is denied, however, he or she will be directly notified.
For more information about J-1 visa, please
refer to the following links:
Description
Work for Non-Sponser Employer
Duration
Extension
Benefits
Limitations
J-1 Waiver
IGA
IGA Waiver
IGA Listing
Green Card
New Process
Services that We Provide
Frequently Asked Questions about J-1/J-2
Visa
Frequently Asked Questions about
J-1 two-year rule
Frequently Asked Questions about J-1
Waiver
Example of No Objection
Attorney's Fees
Articles & News on J-1
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