There are three main method by which a foreign national may obtain a J-1 waiver, as follows:

1. The No-Objection Letter (does not apply for physicians who came to the U.S. to undergo residency or fellowship training);

2. The Hardship/Asylum Waiver; and

3. The Interested Governmental Agency Waiver (i.e. Conrad State 30, HHS, ARC, VA…)

The No-Objection Letter. Waivers may be granted if a J-1 visa holder obtains a "no objection" letter from the exchange visitor's country of nationality or last permanent residence. The "no objection" letter is a formal, diplomatic statement from the home country to the State Department stating that the home country has no objection to the waiver of the foreign residency requirement for a particular foreign national. Most foreign embassies in Washington have officials designated to handle these statements. The procedures vary widely from country to country and may take up to a year or more. Note that a "no objection" letter is not a basis for a waiver when the exchange visitor came to the US to receive " graduate medical education or training." If both the USIA and the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) concur, the waiver is granted.

Please contact us for more specific details about obtaining a no-objection letter.