it depends on the case (j-1 vs. h-1 etc). for my h-1: a total of about $5000
j-1 steps: each state has a dept. of health where there is 1 person designated as the "j-1 manager". he goes by specific zip codes to find out if a place is j-1 waiver eligible. you can get this list from thwe internet ( hpsa.gov )"health professional shortage area", which is different from mental health shortage area or dental health shortage area etc.
there are only 3 organizations/entities in the usa who can do a j-1 waiver: (1) va (2)arc: appalacian regional commission (something like the states whwere the appalacian mountain spans through (3) conrad state 30
i did it by #3; why: va system is extremely slow, being federal; arc is in very specific geographic area; state 30 means: each state in a particular year is eligible to sponsor 30 j-1 waivers (this law renews every 2 years by votes in the congress).
for #3 the hospital/clinic needs to contact the j-1 manager of the state. the first application goes to the us dept of state (condi rice's office). the j-1 manager of the state will submit an application to condi rice that this applicant's j-1 needs to be 'waived' for such n such reasons.
once approved by condi, the state files an i-612 application to the immigration. this is called petition for waiver of the 2 year home residency requirement as assigned by section 212-i, meaning: when you are j-1, you are a foreign exchange visitor: so upon completion of your residency you need to go
back to your country of origin for 2 year during which time you are ineligible to apply for any us visa.
once i-612 is approved, you file for i-129 i.e. h-1b. it is initially given for 3 years and then you renew
it for another 3 years; a total of 6 years, can be extended for another year.
the total cost of all of the above is about $7000.
|
