r/J1HHSwaiver

Lawyer sent email. Still shows processing on the website. Timeline below.

HHS waiver filed: 11/14/25

HHS approved: 05/05/26

DOS approved: 05/29/26

USCIS waiver receipt: 05/30/26

USCIS waiver approval: 07/29/26

H1B filed: 07/30/26

H1B approval: 08/19/26

Safe to say this has been a true test of my patience. But after 9 months my H1B has finally being conceived. This group helped me stay hopeful the whole way and I truly pray everyone gets their approval soon! Good luck guys!

My J-1 Waiver → H-1B Timeline:

HHS filed: 2/2/2026
HHS approval: 6/4/2026
DOS (State Dept.) approval: 6/15/2026. Applied for H-1B with USCIS shortly after, by end of June
USCIS (SRC) waiver approval: 8/3/2026
H-1B upgraded to premium processing on the day of USCIS approval, approved 8/19/2026

Two things that caused me a lot of stress (sharing in case it helps someone else):

- I did one extra year of training after residency and still got my HHS waiver approved for a hospitalist job. My initial contract start date was within 12 months of finishing residency. I finished residency 6/28/2025, and the contract start date we listed was 6/27/2026 (literally one day inside the window). I ended up not actually starting by that date, but the waiver was still processed and approved. I’ll be starting 8/24/2026.

- I wasn’t eligible for a board extension, so I secured lawful status by making sure my H-1B petition was filed before my DS 2019 end date (before 6/30/2026). A pending H-1B keeps you out of unlawful status. We filed it as regular processing to avoid triggering an RFE, then upgraded to premium processing once we got the USCIS approval, and got the H-1B approved within 15 days.

There was a lot of speculation and conflicting advice about both of these points, and I’m relieved I took the risk and it worked out. Sharing this for anyone going through the same thing.

Thank you for everyone here!! This community helped me a lot!
Good Luck Everyone. 🤍

My attorney says the H-1B can be filed with just the USCIS receipt (not the final waiver approval), and that she's had many cases go through fine this way — some even got H-1B approved before the J-1 waiver itself was finalized. I'm a bit nervous given the recent RFE/NOID guidance on filings without the waiver approval notice in hand.

Questions for anyone who's been through this:

1. Did you file H-1B with just the waiver receipt, or wait for the full approval?
2. If you filed early, did you get an RFE or was it smooth?
3. How far apart (timing-wise) were your J-1 waiver approval and H-1B approval?
4. Can you all share your timeline from DOS favorable recommendation to H-1B approval, and at what stage in that process you actually filed the H-1B?

Trying to get a realistic sense of the risk here. Any timelines or outcomes appreciated — thank you!

Just trying to get a sense of how it’s going for others. This is about actual turnaround times people are seeing with premium processing on H-1B petitions (not the J-1 waiver itself).

View Poll

DOS recommendation May 26.
Uscis still pending.
Applied H1b: got. RFE for pending waiver.

J for board extension will expire in Nov. IF by that time waiver approval doesn’t come (who even knows) what are my options? Can I switch to O visa in time? Will that be consular processing?

I have a question about timeline after your waiver and H1b are approved. Can you start working immediately or do you have to wait for the actual forms to be mailed including the I 94 for your I9 pre employment appointment?

My H1b application is still pending but just checking timeline.

With the appeals court refusing to stay the ruling on the $100K H-1B fee, are companies moving forward with consular processing filings right now? Or are people waiting to see if the government takes it to SCOTUS?

Anyone else from 3rd week of June waiting for USCIS waiver approval?

Hey, guys! Has anyone filed an H-1B and H-4 together, with the H-1B approved but the H-4 still pending? This happened to us, and I’m wondering if anyone has experienced the same. Thanks!

Finally, this application is over. Took total of 6 months.

Submitted to HHS: 2/15
HHS rec: 5/18
DOS rec: 6/10
USCIS waiver approval: 8/5
H1b filed: 6/18
H1b approved: 8/11

My case was approved by DOS on June 15 but USCIS says they can't find my case.

My attorney is trying to reach to congressman and also applied for premium processing while waiting for the receipt number.

Anyone in the same boat or aware of next steps.

Any inputs are highly appreciated 🙏🏻

My H-1B application was filed under premium processing on June 18th and receipt notice on june 23rd. No updates from USCIS. My attorney has reached out to them a couple of times, but no progress.
Does anyone have any advice or similar situation?

Signed Waiver Job January, 2026. Start Date September 2026.

Lawyer applied for HHS waiver, Last week February, 2026

DOS website showed documents received 1st week of March, 2026

HHS requested contract amendment to reflect exemption to no cause termination.

HHS approval: June 15, 2026

DOS approval: June 16, 2026

USCIS received date: June 18

Waiver Approval: August 11, 2026

H1b Premium processing applied in July, approved within 15 business days.

Advice to anyone reading this in future: Sign your waiver jobs early if you can. This process is ultimately a test of your patience , but community supports help a lot. Keep a 3-4 months reserve for your expenses during the waiver process.

Submitted to HHS: 05/08
DOS rec: 6/17
USCIS receipt: 6/18
USCIS transfer to another center: 6/22
USCIS approved: 8/12 ( on website)

Did not file any inquiry/congressional.
Yet to file H1b.

Has anyone been approved recently for June 12-June 15? I’m losing hope at this point :( (Texas center)

If this helps or not my lawyer tried doing an inquiry but USCIS said it’s too early for one and October would be the earliest the lawyer can inquire.

J1 waiver (HHS) approval timeline:

Submitted: 3rd week Jan 2026
HHS approval: June 16
DOS approval: June 17
USCIS receipt date: June 18
Transferred to another office: June 22 (SRC)
H1b premium processing filed: July 28
USCIS waiver approval: Aug 10 (on website nothing received yet)
H1b: awaiting

Hoping for everyone who is waiting to get your approval soon!
Best of luck everyone 😊

For anyone look to see the J1 waiver (HHS) approval timeline:

Submitted: mid Jan 2026
HHS approval: June 1
DOS approval: June 11
USCIS receipt date: June 12
Transferred to another office: June 15 (SRC)
H1b premium processing filed: July 20
USCIS waiver approval: Aug 7
H1b approval: same day, Aug 7

Hoping for everyone who is waiting to get your approval soon!

I feel like most SRC pending are june and EAC may. Im SRC May and feeling real alone lol