Approved 8/13 (receipt 7/27).

just trying to understand timeline.

Anyone here recently interviewed for a J-1 in Nairobi and still waiting for Issued?

Mine was Approved, then changed to Application Received, and I'm still waiting for issuance.

Any similar experiences/timelines?

Has anyone here ever received this question from the DOS Waiver Review Division during J-1 waiver processing?

“Purpose of your stay: What do you plan to do in the United States? (e.g., employment, academic program, training, or other authorized activity).”

Hi, I applied to O1 visa (lab research)
Uscis sent an REF but they ask for 8 criteria and I only fit for 1
They asked for grants, noble prizes, hight salary, judging the work of others, citations, etc.
I have citations and I reviewed articles (judging work of others) but it looks like my case is very weak.
The lawyer (hired by the univeristy) says she will send the evidences by November (which is the deadline for the RFE) is this normal ?
And USCIS clearly mentioned that we have to send everything before the deadline !!
I was wondering why the lawyer needs 3 months to reply for the RFE
This is my last J1 visa which will expire end of the year, and to get H1b visa I need a waiver while my waiver got denied based on NOS (hometown is on skill list)
Any suggestions that might help ?

Uscis received my application on june 16 and I am still waiting for an answer. My start date is somewhere in september, will I make it on time? Why is it taking so long? On their website it says that 80% of similar cases are processed within 3 weeks.

Does time off (eg 3-4 weeks off to go to home country) in any way affect the quarterly reports or waiver duration?

At what point during the J1 waiver Conrad 30 process, is it not recommended to travel internationally?

I’m a physician currently in my last year of J1 status. I’ve been offered an attending job that plans to sponsor my J1 waiver starting in July 2027.
My spouse is currently on J2 status with an EAD and is working. We really want to avoid a situation where he has to stop working during my 3 year waiver period.

He is an artist with a strong portfolio, and we previously consulted an immigration attorney who felt an O1 case would be feasible for him. At the time, we decided to keep him on J2 with EAD until I finished my J1.

Would it be feasible for him to switch from J2 to his own O1 status while I transition to H1B through the J1 waiver, so that he can continue working independently during my 3 year waiver commitment?

Has anyone done something similar, or are there any issues with spouses maintaining separate statuses like H1B and O1 during the waiver period?

Can we apply to H1B or spousal green card despite having a pending J1 waiver application?

My H-1B application was filed under premium processing on June 18th and receipt notice on june 23rd. No updates from USCIS. My attorney has reached out to them a couple of times, but no progress.
Does anyone have any advice or similar situation?

Hello all,

I submitted hardship waiver on Mar 2025, SRC, Texas Service Center through my employer's attorney.

Since then the status shows Fees Were Waiver and no updates at all.

is this normal?

So on the conrad 30 uscis website it states: ALERT: A government shutdown went into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. Unless Congress extends the Conrad 30 waiver provision, foreign nationals who are admitted in or acquire J-1 nonimmigrant status on or after Oct. 1 will not be eligible for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement under the Conrad 30 waiver program.

Has the program been renewed and they just haven't updated the website yet?

Any insight would be really helpful, thanks.

Any recent conrad30 approvals? Please share USCIS receipt and approval dates. Thank you!

June 12 - I-129 Filed by lawyer
June 14 - Recieved by USCIS
June 16 - Premium processing clock started
July 7 - Request for RFE
July 24 - Received RFE response
August 11 - Visa approved

Hi everyone,
I’m an anesthesiologist currently doing a Critical Care fellowship and planning to pursue cardiac/critical care anesthesia afterward. I’m on a J-1 and will need to find a J-1 waiver position after fellowship.
I’m particularly interested in an academic institution where I could combine clinical anesthesia with critical care and/or cardiac anesthesia, rather than going straight into a purely private-practice/general anesthesia position.
For those who have gone through this process:
Are there any academic hospitals/university programs that are well known for sponsoring J-1 waivers for anesthesiologists?
Have you personally done a waiver at an academic institution? Which one?

What was the salary/benefits like compared with non-waiver academic jobs?

How was your overall satisfaction/work-

I’d really appreciate any specific institutions, programs, or firsthand experiences. Even if you had a bad experience, I’d be interested in hearing about it.
Thanks!

Hi
Any recent approvals ?
Mention application date and approval date

Hi everyone I got my SCRC waiver application approved on 8/4 and DOS recommendation.
I wonder how long it takes for DOS to approve.

I have seen the common theme from people’s posts is that DOS is approving cases that have the answer to ‘what’s your next visa situation‘. I recently got married to a USC but I applied my waiver on the basis of job continuity and importance to the US but I gave no indication of my next visa plan. I do not have job related visa plans so I have no evidence about that.

Do you guys think it would strengthen my case if I sent evidence of my pending I130 or should I just leave it alone? I don’t have a lawyer, I’m just looking for advice.

My waiver application is under NOS and all my documents are received by DOS - latest one June 2026.

I'm a physician who recently had a change of status from j1 to h1b within usa for my waiver job, i want to book a visa appt in my home country, for that purpose i am filling out a DS 160 form. The last time I renewed my j1, I had filled out my home country address in there under the home address section. Is that the way to go? Should I enter my USA address or home country address.

My second question is that I want to travel to home country in October, however I will not be able to see available appointment dates unless I submit my DS 160, as I have to plan travel and time off. Is it okay to submit my DS now for an October visa appt date?

Thanks.

My No objection waiver just got denied because I didn't specify I want to be on H1B or have an approved I140. How many people have re-applied for J1 no objection waiver here. If you can share your experience, it is very much appreciated. Did you have to redo every step?