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J-1 Waivers

No Objection Statement as a Basis for Waiver Recommendation

Your home country’s government may provide a No Objection Statement through its embassy in Washington, DC. This statement, sent directly to the Waiver Review Division, must confirm that your government has no objection to you not fulfilling the two-year home-country physical presence requirement and to the possibility of you obtaining lawful permanent residency in the United States.

Alternatively, a designated ministry within your home government can issue the No Objection Statement and send it to the U.S. Chief of Mission, Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in that country. The U.S. Embassy will then forward it to the Waiver Review Division for further processing.

Important Note: U.S. law prohibits foreign medical physicians who obtained a J-1 visa on or after January 10, 1977, for graduate medical education or training from using this waiver option. For more details, refer to U.S. Laws, Reference Number 1.

Business Immigration Categories

  • EB-1-1 – Individuals of extraordinary ability in arts, sciences, athletics, education, or business.
  • EB-1-2 – Outstanding professors and researchers.
  • EB-1-3 – Multinational executives and managers.
  • EB-2 – Professionals with advanced degrees (Master’s degree or equivalent). Applicants must complete the labor certification process.
  • EB-2 (NIW) – Individuals whose skills have national significance. No labor certification required.
  • EB-3 – Skilled workers, subject to labor certification.
  • EB-4 – Religious workers and ministers.
  • EB-5 – Investors who must invest at least $500,000 in a targeted investment area or $1 million in a non-targeted area.

Non-Immigrant Visas

  • B1/B2 – Visitors for business or pleasure.
  • H-1B – Temporary workers in specialty occupations with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
  • L-1 – Managers of multinational companies and specialized knowledge workers.
  • E-1/E-2 – Investor nationals from countries with U.S. treaties.
  • E-3 – Specialty occupation professionals from Australia.
  • TN – Special visa for nationals of Canada and Mexico under NAFTA.
  • K-1 – Fiancé(e) visa.
  • F-1 – Student visa.
  • H-2B – Temporary workers in non-specialty occupations.
  • H-3 – Trainee visa.
  • J-1 – Exchange visitor visa for scholars, medical residents, professors, researchers, specialists, and trainees.
  • R-1 – Religious worker visa (ordained and non-ordained).
  • O-1 – Extraordinary ability visa for arts, sciences, athletics, education, or business.
  • P-1/P-3 – Visas for athletes, artists, and entertainers.

Family

  • Family-Based Petitions – Petitions submitted by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to bring family members to the U.S.
  • Adjustment of Status – The process of changing one’s immigration status to become a lawful permanent resident while remaining in the U.S.

Other

  • Removal Proceedings – Legal processes to determine whether an individual should be removed or deported from the U.S.
  • Immigration Bond – A bond paid to secure the release of an individual from detention while they await immigration hearings.
  • DOL Audits – Audits conducted by the Department of Labor to ensure compliance with labor and immigration laws.
  • Provisional Waivers – A waiver allowing certain individuals to remain in the U.S. while their immigration issues are resolved.
  • Dream Act – Legislation that provides a pathway to legal status for undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
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