Waivers for J Visas Attorney
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Angela Warren is a San Francisco immigration attorney with over 20 years of experience in obtaining waivers for J visas. Our track record of success includes, but are not limited to:
- Non-objection letters for persons who were on J visas but later married to US citizens
- Government sponsored J-1 Programs
- Persons who will later be persecuted in their home country
A San Francisco immigration attorney like Angela Warren can be a great advantage for people wishing to get a waiver for their J-1 visa and extend their stay in California or the San Francisco Bay Area.
About J-1 Visas
A J-1 visa is part of a program for exchange visitors (people who come to the U.S. to exchange ideas and practices of cultural significance). This classification is authorized for exchange visitors who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training.
To qualify for a J Visa, you can be (but are not limited to):
- Professors or scholars
- Teachers
- Research assistants
- Specialists
- Students
- Nannies and au pairs
- Trainees
- Camp counselors
Read more about how Warren Law Firm can help you obtain a J-1 visa.
What is a J-1 Visa Waiver?
J-1 Exchange Visitors must return to their home-country once every two years. If an Exchange Visitor is unable to return to his or her home-country, they must obtain a waiver approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
The most frequent types of waivers applied for are:
- “No objection” statement from visitor’s home country
- Request from an Interested U.S. government agency
- Claim of persecution in home country
- Claim of exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen, permanent resident spouse or child if J-1 visa holder returns to the home country
- Request from a designated state health agency
Why Would Someone Need a J-1 Visa Waiver?
There are many reasons why an exchange visitor may need or want to stay in the United States after their program has ended. Some of these reasons are:
- The visitor has received a job offer from a U.S. employer
- The visitor wants to apply for a green card
- The visitor wants to remain with family in the United States
- The visitor fears returning to their home country
- The visitor has exceptional skills or knowledge
How to Apply for a J-1 Visa Waiver
Your first step in obtaining a waiver for a J-1 visa is to contact Warren Law Firm to schedule a consultation. By preparing your J-1 visa documentation ahead of time, we can make the most of our consultation together.
Although obtaining a waiver for J visas can be fairly straightforward, using an experienced immigration attorney can help improve your chances of approval. The J-1 Waiver process can vary in time depending on the circumstances but usually takes between four weeks and four months.
To take the first steps in obtaining a J-1 visa waiver, contact Warren Law Firm to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, we’ll talk about all your options – including choices you may not be aware of. (See the following section, “Your Options Other Than J-1 Visa Waivers,” for more information.)
We’ll also discuss the specifics of your case. You’re free to ask questions about whether a J-1 visa waiver is right for you, as well as whether you may qualify for another program that enables you to remain in the United States without applying for a J-1 visa waiver. As with any legal consultation, you’ll also get the opportunity to ask about things like:
- J-1 visa waiver fees
- Immigration attorney’s fees
- Attorney experience and knowledge of J-1 visas and waivers
You can use your consultation time to discuss these and other matters. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions and give you the guidance you need to start moving forward.
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Angela D. Warren
With more than 20 years of immigration and business immigration experience, Angela Warren has helped hundreds of individuals, families and businesses.
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Your Options Other Than J-1 Visa Waivers
If you wish to remain in the United States, you may have other options outside the J-1 visa waiver. You could be eligible to stay in the United States through other employment-based visas such as the H-1B, L-1, or O-1. You may also be eligible for a green card through investment, marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or asylum.
The H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. A specialty occupation is one that requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in a field of human endeavor including, but not limited to, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts. It can be an alternative to a J-1 visa, and make a J-1 visa waiver unnecessary.
The L-1 Visa
The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign workers who have worked for a related company abroad for at least one year to transfer to a related company in the United States. The L-1 visa can also serve as an alternative to a J-1 visa waiver, but only in specific circumstances.
The O-1 Visa
The O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign workers with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field to live and work in the United States. To qualify for an O-1 visa, you must have a record of extraordinary achievement in your field. This can be shown through awards, scholarships, fellowships, publications, judging the work of others, or original scientific or scholarly research. The O-1 visa can be an alternative to a J-1 visa waiver in specific cases.
Asylum
If you are in the United States and fear returning to your home country due to persecution, you may be eligible for asylum. To qualify for asylum, you must show that you have been persecuted or fear persecution in your home country due to your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. If you are granted asylum, you will be allowed to live and work in the United States indefinitely. You won’t need a J-1 visa waiver.
Green Cards Through Investment, Marriage or Other Relationships
You may also be eligible for a green card through investment, marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or other relationships. If any of these apply to you, you won’t need a J-1 visa waiver to remain in the United States. Your attorney can help you determine whether you qualify for a green card (or any other program).
Why It’s Important to Talk to a San Francisco Immigration Attorney Before Applying for a J-1 Visa Waiver
Because you may not need a J-1 visa waiver, such as when you qualify for another type of immigration benefit that allows you to remain in the United States, it makes sense to talk to a San Francisco immigration attorney before you apply. However, even if a J-1 visa waiver is your only option, it’s often best to talk to a lawyer. That’s because the process can be complicated, and a mistake on your application could mean that you’re denied a waiver and have to leave the United States.
At Warren Law Firm, we understand the importance of finding the right solution for your specific situation. We’ll take the time to learn about your unique circumstances and help you decide if a J-1 visa waiver is right for you. We’ll also help you with the application process and make sure that everything is done correctly.
Are You Ready to Talk to an Attorney About Getting a J-1 Visa Waiver?
If you need a J-1 visa waiver, or if you believe you may qualify for another type of immigration benefit, we may be able to help you. Call our office today to set up your consultation with an immigration lawyer in San Francisco. We’ll be glad to answer your questions and give you the legal guidance you need.