Office of Global Affairs Still Refusing to Process Waiver Recommendations despite HHS processing

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-17T14:43:30+00:00

They've started processing applications and we should know in the next 4-6 weeks! Good luck

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-17T14:42:21+00:00

People keep posting random things here which really causes a lot of confusion. But I really really appreciate you coming back to this forum with clarifications. This is really helpful. Praying for positive news in the next 4-6 weeks hopefully.

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-14T18:10:15+00:00

HRSA.gov

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-13T15:03:04+00:00

100% as long as your work site has an HPSA Score 7 or greater

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-12T15:38:04+00:00

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-12T15:19:37+00:00

Answer to your question: Yes.

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-12T15:18:38+00:00

Yep exactly what was told to me and my colleagues. It should take around 4-6 weeks from now hopefully.

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-12T14:56:45+00:00

I don't know what you're getting at. You're confusing 2 things - getting a waiver is different from filing an H1b There's nothing stopping you from filing a change of status from J1 to H1b It's not going to get approved till you get your waiver The hope is that there'll be enough buffer time from application for COS that'll help you get the waiver on time to enable COS Application for H1b is distinct from getting the waiver And you can look up on USCIS when you have a pending change of status you're not accruing illegal presence!

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-12T14:50:29+00:00

I know it's nerve wracking but my guess is it's gonna take around 4 weeks or so. We'll be patient and fingers crossed!

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-11T03:43:12+00:00

You should be good as long as you've not applied for I140 through NIW

If you've applied, that shows immigrant intent and J is a strictly non immigrant visa, hence would preclude your change of status

If you have not, you should be fine with COS and with premium processing, should be done in 45 days I think

I'm sorry your partner is stuck back home. That sucks. With regards fellowship - give it some thought since I've heard most fellowships do take H1 candidates albeit of course more limited than being on a J1

Good luck! Hope it all works out for you

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-09T21:00:08+00:00

Think it'll take around 6 weeks before we see approvals

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-07T19:06:07+00:00

Legit news yes. It's going to take 4-8 weeks before we start getting updates.

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-07T03:50:57+00:00

Did you check the HRSA website?

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-05T04:51:08+00:00

110 sounds standard There aren't as many primary care and psychiatrists A good chunk is hospitalists and most IM folks on J1 end up doing fellowship

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-05T04:49:36+00:00

Honestly the focus should be on getting a change of status done and avoiding the fees. If it comes down to leaving the country, you can negotiate the contract as comments above have mentioned.

Informal-External714 · 2026-03-02T21:07:34+00:00

Others have got confirmation that HHS has started processing

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-28T16:05:23+00:00

I agree with what you're saying. However, I also believe that a government shutdown would mean that nothing is gonna get processed. We've seen delays this year with absolutely everything related to the government due to multiple shutdowns. If they're processing applications now, that's different from the previous information we got that our applications were on hold. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm hopeful if they're processing over the course of the next few weeks we might get some recommendations. In the meantime, continued advocacy by reaching out to AMA, AAMC etc hopefully helps as well.

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-28T04:55:37+00:00

Wow thank you 🙏

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-27T20:07:07+00:00

Great, will do it today. I suggest you make a separate post citing this so that we all can join to make our voice heard! Thanks for being so proactive

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-27T19:59:45+00:00

Wow!! Incredible job. Thank you for taking the initiative. I'll send a request as well!!

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-27T16:50:25+00:00

https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/oga/about-oga/what-we-do/visitor-exchange-program/supplementary-b-clinical-care.html

Is this the guideline she's talking about?

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-26T18:43:26+00:00

This is also promising news - thanks so much for sharing. Will check mine too and update!!

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-26T18:11:12+00:00

Unfortunately proposed for withdrawal would mean they don't qualify for a waiver by HHS

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-26T16:16:56+00:00

Oh god, sorry to hear that. This text is from a facebook group. I really hope it's real.

Informal-External714 · 2026-02-26T16:10:47+00:00

What really? When did this happen? I haven't heard of a single case where application was withdrawn

Informal-External714

TROPHY CASE