Recent content by nemu

In most cases DOS goes with the sponsor views. Read this forum - nikovs story is the only example that I know where DOS ignored sponsor views. I applied for my waiver at the end of my PhD program.

I am not sure about this. I have heard rumors that applying for a waiver shows immigrant intent therefore your non-immigrant status may be in jeopardy. My advice - get your DS extended, then apply for a waiver.

No, that does not sound like a good reason. Find out what privileges J1 grants for your job/education and use that as your motivation. Perhaps F1 prevents you from certain internships/research opportunities and J1 would resolve that? Your future husband is not interesting to INS and my guess...

I would say Ford Foundation.

ACE67 - if you honestly wish only to postpone the time when your wife fulfills the 2 year requirement, your wife can try another student visa. Since you are married she is in a bit of the difficult situation as she will be seen as having an intention to immigrate. Still, worth trying. You...

Well, we all knew when we signed up that there is a 2 year rule and that getting a waiver for Fulbrights almost impossible. Maybe IGA route will work out for you.

Yes, I had Fulbright funding, this is why I post in this thread:) It was MA funding for one year, I got funding for my PhD from the university. I keep repeating again and again, in my opinion, the key to getting a waiver (my case "no objection") is to prove that by staying you are not...

Not sure I understand your question. I did the no-objection, I did not need government agency support. If you are asking about Fulbright (which is the government agency that sponsored me) then yes, they had favorable recommendation for my waiver and DoS made their decision based on what...

I don't have info about IGA, only what I have read on the official website. Maybe your lawyers will be helpful here.

Sorry to hear this. I can understand that this is upsetting. Not sure about any other options. Were you working on your PhD? Do you have a an employer that would be willing to work on O1? Worst case scenario - stay 2 years home and continue working in your discipline, come back to the US...

Just go for the waiver.

I shared as much info as I felt comfortable in the above posts. My argument was that me staying is continuation of Fulbright goals. It all depends upon the specifics of your program goals and your accomplishments.

Well, if you had government sponsorship, this is a quote from an old DoS FAQ page:

in my case it took 21 days for the sponsor to respond. I guess you can try contacting DoS ans asking where they sent the request to so that you can follow up. I do not think there is any harm in trying to call DoS - worst case scenario - you will not get anything useful out of them :) Good luck...

It depends if your country has a local Fulbright Commission, then it should not be difficult to contact them http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright/list.htm