N400-J1-J1waiver-10yr Green card

[Hotaru-Grace]

N400-The timeline

My immigration story and experience from J1-J1waiver- I765- I485 2yr conditional green card-I751 removal of condition-10yr Green card will end with N400 naturalization soon, that is if I study well.

On May 6, 2021, (1 year after applying for 10yr green card) and, 87 days before the anniversary (July 31) of my first green card (2yr conditional GC) I applied online for the N400 -naturalization/citizenship benefit. On May 6, the same day (my husband and I were surprised), we received an electronic notification that the application was received (online application seemed quite easy for the officers to work on the case). We also got an electronic notification that USCIS will use my existing biometrics information on file to process the N400 application on the same day.
On July 9, 2021, I received an email notification and an update within USCIS case status that my interview date has been scheduled. This notification came 22 days before the anniversary of 2yr green card and before the 3yrs of having a green card in general. USCIS will mail the interview notification which will indicate the date and terms of the appointment.
For the N400 we uploaded marriage license, birth certificate (we had our first munchkin-Mar 2021), vehicle titles, registration, and insurances, 3yrs joint tax filing, and 3yrs of joint bank statements.

Reflection
I am grateful and humbled to have had a SMOOOOTH, no contest, no RFIE, No RFE, no lawyer, quick process at every stage of my immigration process. We (my husband enjoys responding too) have shared my journey here on Immihelp with the sole purpose of helping as many as I can to obtain their immigration benefit WITHOUT a lawyer, that is if there is no complication. We have guided several within our friendship circles as well. My husband and I are still willing to guide many who send a message or notification, so please reach out to us as needed.

I will provide an update on my N400 interview/testing experience as it occurs.

Our earlier posts:
https://www.immihelp.com/forum/adjus...-timeline-2020

Our Interview-2018
https://www.immihelp.com/forum/adjus...a-pd-july-2017

[Enub4]

Congrats. Good information in this post and the linked ones.

I know someone that needs a J1 waiver, do you have a link to know more about that and/or what you did? Thanks.

[Hotaru-Grace]

Congrats. Good information in this post and the linked ones.

I know someone that needs a J1 waiver, do you have a link to know more about that and/or what you did? Thanks.

Hello Enub4,

Thank you for reading my posts. I completed the J1 waiver back in 2015, 6 years ago. At that time I didn't know of Immihelp, and I didn't document the list of all the things I submitted (on my own without a lawyer). Here are the websites from which any J1 waiver applicant will get base information on what to submit, fee, and timeline. https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov AND/OR https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.s.../WaiverProcess

The main things I remember is that I had to:

1. (In 2015) prepare two separate packages with duplicate information/documentation-1 for the USCIS office dealing with the J1 waiver request, and the other package for the Jamaican Embassy (applicant's home country) in US.
2. Pack each large envelop with a completed J1 waiver application (DS 3035), check for the fee, letter, with the APPROPRIATE address, requesting the waiver, listing the reason for the request, to the respective US immigration department dealing with J1waiver, copies of all immigration documents: J1 visa, I-94, passport info sheet, birth certificate, job contract-(I think), DS 2019, Sevis Number etc and
3. My Resume/Curriculum vitae as requested by the Jamaican Embassy.

The process as I remember it (things may have changed).

1. I got a I797C receipt from the US Department dealing with one phase of the J1 waiver. This receipt stated that my request was accepted and that I was to log on to a site to check the progress of application.
2. The 2^nd package that was sent to (the immigrant's home embassy within the US), in my case to the Jamaican Embassy, was reviewed and queries were made to my past employers, and local finance institutions in Jamaica (that is a standard check in the J1 waiver process) to verify whether I had financial obligations-such as a student loan, as a guarantor or any work-related bond in my home country.
3. If I had any financial or work obligations, I had to ensure that it was cleared or paid off before I received the no-contest letter from Jamaica through the Jamaican Embassy in US. (Thankfully, I had no hiccups there)
4. Once a no contest letter (no objection letter) was received by the Jamaican Embassy in US it was sent to the US Department dealing with the J1 waiver. The officials then approved the J1 waiver application and issued the approval notice.

The entire J1 waiver application process took 4 months from November 2015-February 2016. Some might take much longer.
Generally, the timing of applying for a J1 waiver is critical to 1. when you receive it. 2 the obligation your employer or employment agency has to their cultural exchange program and 3. the risk of losing job immediately once the waiver is received- this depends on the terms of agreement between the j1 applicant and the agency or employer that granted him or her the benefit to work in the US.

I hope this helps. Best of luck.

[Enub4]

Good info, thank you.

[Hotaru-Grace]

You're welcome Enub4.

[Tezza]

Awesome! Congratulations.

[Hotaru-Grace]

Thank you Tezza!

[Godobo]

It will end in praise , all the best

[Hotaru-Grace]

It will end in praise , all the best

Thank you Godobo. I've been studying and hubby asked me all 100 questions and I ACED them all.