J-1 On a Fulbright Grant

[jayded]

Does anyone have experience with receiving waivers from Fulbright? I have been on a J-1 visa for the last 10 years, initially I came to do my Master's in piano on a Fulbright in 1996. In 1999 I switched sponsors, but remained on a J. I just received an O-1 visa, but I still have the home residency requirement. Has anyone successfully managed to deal with this gracefully? I am married to an American, but my lawyer assures me going for the hardship clause almost never works.
Thanks in advance!

 

[area51]

There's lots of info on the subject in the forums but generally you won't find actual help from people that received the waiver with a Fulbright.
A lot depends on the country you are from and there are many reports of Fulbright's getting waivers the last 2 years when in the past it wasn't common. What area of the world are you from?

Your lawyer is right, the hardship is not going to work, the no-objection waiver is the only one to go after.

Look for posts by LucyMo, who seems to be helpful on this subject.

Does anyone have experience with receiving waivers from Fulbright? I have been on a J-1 visa for the last 10 years, initially I came to do my Master's in piano on a Fulbright in 1996. In 1999 I switched sponsors, but remained on a J. I just received an O-1 visa, but I still have the home residency requirement. Has anyone successfully managed to deal with this gracefully? I am married to an American, but my lawyer assures me going for the hardship clause almost never works.
Thanks in advance!

 

[area51]

there are a few other posts you should check out on this forum
plus I read that LucyMo recommends a yahoo group on HRR
do a search engine search for HRR Waivers Yahoo!Group

plus I just read a post in this forum by one that had a Fulbright and received the waiver. He gave some good advice. You'll have to dig a little for the answers.