Argentina J1 No Objection Statement (NOS) Waiver: Explained

The Argentinian J1 No Objection Statement (NOS) Waiver Process is unique. Every Country has a different process, timeline, eligibility requirement, and documentation requirement. This post will specifically cover Argentina's process.
For starters, there are unrestricted and restricted J1 Professionals. The Restricted Professionals are generally:
- J1 Teacher/Professor/Instructor
- J1 Specialist
- J1 Researcher
- J1 Physician
- J1 Intern/Trainee
- J1 Summer Camp Counselor
- J1 University Student (Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional/Doctoral)
Based on the 2023 Statistics, there are the following Argentinians that arrived to the US in 2023:
- Alien Physician - 7
- Au Pair - 1,091
- Camp Counselor - 265
- Government Visitor - 14
- Intern - 135
- International Visitor - 84
- Professor - 11
- Research Scholar - 169
- Short-Term Scholar - 148
- Specialist - 22
- Student College University - 250
- Student Secondary - 61
- Summer Travel/Work - 4,783
- Teacher - 32
- Trainee - 81
An estimated 7,153 J1 Visa Holders from Argentina for the year 2023.
This explanation will be broken into parts to help better approach the topic of needing a j1 waiver.
Part 1: Why listen to this Aarticle or this Immigration Attorney?
Personally, the Attorney married a J1 Teacher and filed for a No Objection Statement Waiver. So, on a personal level, the Attorney has been in the same shoes as many spouses trying to spend their life with a J1 Professional that was originally required to return home/abroad for 2 years (the 2-year home residency requirement).
Professionally, the law firm assists J1 Professionals on a weekly basis, and has nearly a decade of experience with No Objection Statement Waivers.
The Attorney and Team biographies can be seen here: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/team
Part 2: How can I Clearly Determine whether I am Restricted by the J1 Visa? (aka 212e Specials Skills List or Subject to the 2 year Home Residency Requirement)
With any waiver discussion, determining the need for the waiver is important. Generally, if you are a J1 Professional from Argentina (which why a list of common professions was mentioned above), you are LIKELY SUBJECT. If the J1 Visa and DS-2019 state you are subject, then you are subject. If the J1 Visa and DS-2019 state you are blank or conflicting, then you need an advisory opinion.
A much deeper dive into this subject can be seen in the following posts:
The DOS Waiver Review Division Advisory Opinion: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/when-should-a-j1-j2-perform-a-dos-advisory-opinion
When the DS-2019 is blank (Common Issue): https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/my-ds-2019-is-blank-how-do-i-know-if-i-am-subject-to-the-j1-212e-2-year-home-residency-requirement
Part 3: Why and When do you need the J1 Waiver?
The Purpose of the J1 Waiver is to allow the professional to:
- Acquire permission to NOT return home to Argentina for 2 years, AND
- Be able to seek a different immigration status, such as:
- H Employment Visa
- L Employment Visa
- K Fiance Visa
- Immigrate to the US (acquire Lawful Permanent Residence or Green Card) either through:
- I-485 Adjustment of Status Process or
- DS-260 Consular Process
The Waiver is REQUIRED BEFORE you are able to apply for the above-mentioned immigration statuses. Emphasis on BEFORE, meaning the waiver must be approved by the DOS and USCIS, before DOS and USCIS would allow for a change in immigration status.
Part 4: Waiver Breakdown Overview
The NOS Waiver process is broken into 2 packets and 3 phases.
PHASE 1: Initiating
Packet 1: The DOS DS-3035 Waiver Recommendation Application is an electronic filing that auto-generates the forms, statement of reason, and list of DOS required documents. A Third-Party Barcode Page is created along with a case number. The filing DOES NOT APPEAR in the DOS System until the file is received at DOS with payment. Once a DS-3035 Packet is created, it cannot be edited afterwards.
Packet 2: The Argentinian NOS Application is filed with the Argentinian Embassy. The Embassy Instructions/process can be located here: https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/carta-de-no-objeci%C3%B3n
Phase 2: Processing
Packet 2 might be called packet 2 in the explanation, but it is the first that MUST BE PROCESSED. Argentina must not object, Argentina must create the No Objection Statement, and Argentina must send that statement to the DOS to merge into Packet 1.
Once Packet 1 receives the Argentinian No Objection Statement, that is when the DOS begins processing the DS-3035. The DOS will either request documentation, deny, or issue a favorable recommendation.
Phase 3: Finalizing/Recording in the Government System
If DOS issues a Favorable Recommendation, the file is then submitted to USCIS, USCIS issues an I-612 Receipt Notice, and then USCIS issues an I-612 Approval Notice.
An I-612 Approval Notice is the full completion of the J1 Waiver Process.
Part 5: More Thorough Breakdown of the Embassy Instructions
First, the Embassy Website is found here: https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/carta-de-no-objeci%C3%B3n
Second, the Embassy requires each of the following tasks, which may be overlooked:
- You must request the NOS using the Embassy form attached at the bottom of the above link
- You MUST pay $40 in the form of a Money Order, fully completed, signed, and made payable to: Embassy of the Argentine Republic
- The Form MUST have the Case Number mentioned in part 4
- You MUST attach 1 passport-style photo to the application
- You MUST sign the form before a Notary Public, and the Notary Public places that State's Acknowledgement/Oath Form from the State's Secretary of State
- The Statement in the Form MUST state:
- Eligibility for the No Objection Statement
- Future plan to change US Visa Status
- That you do not owe money to any debtors in the US or in Argentina for the travel to the US and participation in the J Program.
The NOS Application should be mailed to the following address (but be sure to confirm with Google that the address is still correct and the above link, as Embassies can move):
Embassy of Argentina
Att.: Letters of No Objection
1600 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington DC 20009
Part 6: Documents
Our office provides the following recommendation of Documents:
- Birth Certificates for the J1, any children, and spouse
- Translation of Foreign Birth/Marriage/Divorce Certificates, if not in English (recommend Military One Source or Montesino Translation )
- Your Marriage Certificate, if married
- Your Divorce Certificate, if divorced
- Prior Spouse’s Death Certificate, if prior spouse died during marriage
- Any Foreign Passport
- Any US Visas
- Any US Passport (Possible for US Citizen Children and US Citizen Spouse)
- Any US Driver’s License
- I-94 Lawful Entry Record (Found on CBP Website)
- ALL DS-2019 ever issued (for J1/J2) [EMPHASIS ON "ALL"]
- Any Cedula/Matricula Cards
- Resume for the J1
- College Transcripts and Diplomas
- Proof of Licensures
Part 7: Processing Times and When to Start
The Argentinian Embassy Processes the NOS Application within 2-6 weeks on average.
The DOS Processes the DS-3035 AFTER receiving the No Objection Statement within 2-5 months.
USCIS processes and records the I-612 Waiver filing within 1-2 months.
Overall processing time estimates could be: between 3.5 Months to 8.5 Months. however, this is an estimate, and there are chances US Processing could be longer, all the way up to 1 year, or thereabout.
If you are interested in learning more about our law firm J1 Services, we welcome you to visit our website.
Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.









