CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement / Over 21-year-old dependent child

NATIONALITY: Malaysian

LOCATION: Lincoln, NE

Our client is a citizen of Malaysia who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in 1990.  She came with her step-father who came on a J-1 Visa for his research program in the United States. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, meaning they had to go back to their home country for two-years before they can apply for permanent residency or some non-immigrant visa such as the H, L, and O visas.

After our client came to the United States, she remained here beyond the expiration of her authorized period of stay. She completed her secondary schools and pursued her graduate program in the United States as well.

He turned 21 in 1997. Nonetheless, she did not know of the waiver process, and just stayed in the United States without any legal status.

Our client married her current U.S. citizen husband in August 2015. She would like to get a waiver because she can get a green card based on her U.S. citizen husband’s I-130 petition. However, because of her two-year foreign residency requirement, our client cannot change her status in the United States without the fulfillment of requirement or the waiver.

Although J-2 dependents cannot independently apply for a waiver, in cases where a J-2 child reaches 21, the Waiver Review Division may consider requests for waivers on behalf of the J-2 dependent.  The Department of State’s policy allows for that process in instances where the J-2 dependent obtains a divorce form the J-1 principal, the J-1 principal dies, or in cases where the J-2 dependent turns 21, which is our client’s case. In fact, our client turned 21 in 1997.

Our firm was retained to do her J-2 waiver in August 2016. On August 5, 2016, the J-2 Waiver application (Form DS-3035 and supporting documents) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client reached the age of 21 and was not a dependent of a J-1 visa holder anymore.  Eventually, on August 26, 2016, the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver.  On November 4, 2016, the USCIS issued an I-612 approval notice for our client’s waiver request.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement Post-Divorce
NATIONALITY: Egypt
LOCATION: North Carolina

Our client is a citizen of Egypt who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in February 2010.  He came with his wife who held a J-1 Visa as a researcher.  Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.

Unfortunately, while they were residing in the United States, his marriage did not work out well. Eventually, he got divorced from his ex-wife.  Before he divorced with his ex-wife, he changed his status from J-2 to F-1. However, he was still subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.  Our client pursued his Ph.D. degree in the United States, and intends to file the I-140 NIW Self-Petition with adjustment of status application. Nevertheless, he could not file adjustment of status in the U.S. and changed his status to other non-immigrant visa in the United States because of the 2 year foreign residency requirement.

In August of this year, our client contacted our office. He retained our firm to do his J-2 waiver. On August 11, 2016 the J-2 Waiver (DS-3035) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client was divorced from the J-1 visa holder.  Eventually, on August 29, 2016, the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver. Finally, the USCIS issued I-612 waiver approval notice on October 17, 2016.  Now, our client can file an adjustment of status application (I-485) along with his NIW I-140 self-petition for his green card with a waiver.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement Post-Divorce
NATIONALITY: Kenyan
LOCATION: Las Vegas, NV

Our client is a citizen of Kenya who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in 2007.  She came with her husband who held a J-1 Visa as a Ph.D student.  Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.

Unfortunately, while they are residing in the United States, her marriage did not work out well. Eventually, she got divorced from her ex-husband.  Thereafter, she lost her J-2 status in the United States; but she was still subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.  Later in July 2015, she married her U.S. Citizen husband.  He intends to file I-130 petition for her, but she could not file adjustment of status in the U.S. and change her status to other non-immigrant visa in the United States because of the 2 year foreign residency requirement.

In August of this year, our client contacted our office. She retained our firm to do her J-2 waiver on August 8, 2016. On August 11, 2016 the J-2 Waiver (DS-3035) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client was divorced from the J-1 visa holder.  Eventually, on August 29, 2016, the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver. Finally, the USCIS issued I-612 waiver approval notice on September 21, 2016.  Now, our client’s U.S. citizen husband can file I-130 petition for our client and our client can file an adjustment of status application (I-485) for her green card with a waiver.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement / Over 21-year-old dependent child

NATIONALITY: Iranian

LOCATION: Georgia

Our client is a citizen of Iran who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in October 2006.  He came with his father who came on a J-1 Visa for his research program in the United States. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, meaning they had to go back to their home country for two-years before they can apply for permanent residency or some non-immigrant visa such as the H, L, and O visas.

After our client came to the United States, he has remained in the United States beyond the expiration of his authorized stay period.  He turned 21 in 2011.  Later, our client married his current U.S. citizen wife in September 2015. He would like to get a waiver because he can get a green card based on his U.S. citizen wife’s I-130 petition. However, because of his two-year foreign residency requirement, our client cannot change his status in the United States without the fulfillment of  the requirement or a waiver.

Although J-2 dependents cannot independently apply for a waiver, in cases where a J-2 child reaches 21, the Waiver Review Division may consider requests for waivers on behalf of the J-2 dependent.  The Department of State’s policy allows for that process in instances where the J-2 dependent obtains a divorce form the J-1 principal, the J-1 principal dies, or in cases where the J-2 dependent turns 21, which is our client’s case. In fact, our client turned 21 in 2011.

Our firm was retained to do his J-2 waiver, and on May 26, 2016, the J-2 Waiver application (Form DS-3035 and supporting documents) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client reached the age of 21 and was not a dependent of a J-1 visa holder anymore.  Eventually, on June 20, 2016, the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver.  On July 7, 2016, the USCIS issued an I-612 approval notice for our client’s waiver request.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement / Over 21-year-old dependent child

NATIONALITY: Kenyan

LOCATION: Wyoming

Our client is a citizen of Kenya who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in December 2001.  He came with his mother who came on a J-1 Visa for her research program in the United States. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, meaning they had to go back to their home country for two-years before they can apply for permanent residency or some non-immigrant visa such as the H, L, and O visas.

After his mother’s J-1 program was done, our client remained in the United States.

He turned 21 in 2008. He would like to get a waiver because he has a U.S. citizen fiancé who will file an I-130 for him after their marriage. However, because of his two-year foreign residency requirement, our client cannot adjust his status in the United States without fulfilling the waiver requirement.

Although J-2 dependents cannot independently apply for a waiver, in cases where a J-2 child reaches 21, the Waiver Review Division may consider requests for waivers on behalf of the J-2 dependent.  The Department of State’s policy allows for that process in instances where the J-2 dependent obtains a divorce form the J-1 principal, the J-1 principal dies, or in cases where the J-2 dependent turns 21, which is our client’s case. In fact, our client turned 21 in July 2008.

Our firm was retained to do his J-2 waiver, and on May 4, 2016, the J-2 Waiver application (Form DS-3035 and supporting documents) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client reached the age of 21 and was not a dependent of a J-1 visa holder anymore.  Eventually, on June 23, 2016, the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver.  On July 7, 2016, the USCIS issued an I-612 approval notice for our client’s waiver request.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement Post-Divorce

NATIONALITY: Chinese

LOCATION: Cleveland, OH

Our client is a Chinese Citizen who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in 2008. He came with his wife who held a J-1 Visa as a researcher. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.

Unfortunately, their marriage did not work out and he eventually got divorced from his ex-wife. He was still subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, and he would like to change his status in the United States. Until he gets a waiver of the 2-year foreign residency requirement, he cannot change his status in the United States.

He contacted our office, and our firm was retained to do his J-2 waiver on October 14, 2015.

On November 6, 2015 the J-2 Waiver Application along with the Form DS-3035 was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client was divorced from the J-1 visa holder.

On November 30, 2015, the DOS sent a recommendation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for our client be granted a waiver. On December 23, 2015, the USCIS issued the I-612 waiver approval.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement / Over 21-year-old dependent child

NATIONALITY: Thai

LOCATION: Dallas Texas

Our client is a citizen of Thailand who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in 1990.  He came with his father who came on a J-1 Visa for his research program in the United States. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, meaning they had to go back to their home country for two-years before they can apply for permanent residency or some non-immigrant visa such as the H, L, and O visas.

He has remained her ever since. He completed his elementary and secondary school and finished his bachelor and graduate programs in the United States as well. He did not know about his overstay until he became a late teenager.

He turned 21 in 2005. Nonetheless, he did not know of the waiver process, lost his I-94 ,and did not have J-2 related documents besides the J-2 visa stamp on his old passport. Later, he became a beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and got his work permit.

Our client married his current U.S. citizen wife in October 2012. He would like to get a waiver because he can get a green card based on his U.S. citizen wife’s I-130 petition. However, because of his two-year foreign residency requirement, our client cannot change his status in the United States without fulfilling the requirement or the waiver.

Although J-2 dependents cannot independently apply for a waiver, in cases where a J-2 child reaches 21, the Waiver Review Division may consider requests for waivers on behalf of the J-2 dependent.  The Department of State’s policy allows for that process in instances where the J-2 dependent obtains a divorce form the J-1 principal, the J-1 principal dies, or in cases where the J-2 dependent turns 21, which is our client’s case. In fact, our client turned 21 in 2005.

Our firm was retained to do his J-2 waiver and replacement of his I-94. We first filed an I-102 application to USCIS on June 12, 2015 in order to obtain his I-94 record replacement. The USCIS issued his replacement I-94 on September 21, 2015. Thereafter, on September 25, 2015, the J-2 Waiver application (Form DS-3035 and supporting documents) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client reached the age of 21 and was not a dependent of a J-1 visa holder anymore.  Eventually, on October 14, 2015 the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver.  On October 25, 2015, the USCIS issued an I-612 approval notice for our client’s waiver request.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement Post-Divorce

NATIONALITY: Taiwanese

LOCATION: San Jose, California

Our client is a Taiwanese Citizen who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in 2010. She came with her husband who held a J-1 Visa as a Ph.D. student. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.

Unfortunately, their marriage did not work out and she eventually got divorced from her ex-husband. She was still subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, and she would like to change her status in the United States. Until she gets a waiver of the 2-year foreign residency requirement, she cannot change her status in the United States.

She contacted our office, and our firm was retained to do her J-2 waiver on August 28, 2015.

On September 1, 2015 the J-2 Waiver Application along with Form DS-3035 was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client was divorced from the J-1 visa holder.

On October 9, 2015, the DOS sent a recommendation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for our client be granted a waiver. On November 4, 2015, the USCIS issued the I-612 waiver approval.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement / Over 21-year-old dependent child

NATIONALITY: Chinese

LOCATION: Atlanta, GA

Our client was a citizen of China who came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in September 2007.  She came with her mother who came on a J-1 Visa for her research program in the United States. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement, meaning they had to go back to their home country for two-years before they can apply for permanent residency or some non-immigrant visa such as the H, L, and O visas.

After our client came to the United States, she completed her high school and was admitted to a University to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She went back to China and got her F-1 student visa at the U.S. Embassy in China and came back to the United States on her F-1 student visa.

She turned 21 in 2012. She now has a U.S. citizen fiancé and they plan to get married soon. Once they get married, her fiancé (will be her husband) will file an I-130 petition for her and she will file her I-485 adjustment of status application. However, because of her two-year foreign residency requirement, our client cannot adjust her status without the fulfillment of the 2-year requirement or the waiver.

Although J-2 dependents cannot independently apply for a waiver, in cases where a J-2 child reaches 21, the Waiver Review Division may consider requests for waivers on behalf of the J-2 dependent.  The Department of State’s policy allows for that process in instances where the J-2 dependent obtains a divorce form the J-1 principal, the J-1 principal dies, or in cases where the J-2 dependent turns 21, which is our client’s case. In fact, our client turned 21 in January 2012.

Our firm was retained to do her J-2 waiver, and on September 16, 2015, the J-2 Waiver application (Form DS-3035 and supporting documents) was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client reached the age of 21 and was not a dependent of a J-1 visa holder anymore.  Eventually, on October 8, 2015 the DOS recommended to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that our client be granted a waiver.  On November 6, 2015, the USCIS issued an I-612 approval notice for our client’s waiver request.

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CASE: J-2 Waiver of Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement Post-Divorce

NATIONALITY: Vietnamese

LOCATION: Michigan

Our client is a citizen of Vietnam who initially came to the U.S. on a J-2 Visa in January 2012. She came with her ex-husband who held a J-1 Visa as a Ph.D. student. Both were subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement.

Unfortunately, their marriage did not work out and she eventually got divorced from her ex-husband.  Our client has a U.S. citizen fiancé who was willing to file an I-130 for our client after their marriage, but our client will not be able to file an adjustment of status application without the waiver of the two-year foreign residency requirement.

She contacted our office, and our firm was retained for her J-2 waiver.  On July 22, 2015 the J-2 Waiver was filed to the Department of State. We also sent a request to the DOS to be an interested government agency and recommend this waiver based on the fact that our client was divorced from the J-1 visa holder.

On August 21, 2015, the DOS sent a recommendation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for our client be granted a waiver. On September 24, 2015, the USCIS issued the I-612 waiver approval.

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