Hello, I had a J1 (non US government funding program) in 2004 approval by mail and relocated to Canada the same year (2004) and acquired Canadian citizenship (2007).I never enrolled in the program nor participated in the program. I applied for a J1 waiver in 2020 (No objection route in India) and the Govt of India (Min of External Affairs) refused my waiver application stating the applicant has to have a valid Indian passport at the time of J1 waiver application with the Govt of India. I do not fit into the typical categories for J1 waivers. In lieu of recent changes to the policy in 2023 as below https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20231024-ForeignResidenceRequirement.pdf "USCIS will and does consult with the U.S. Department of State on a case-by-case basis when it is impossible for the benefit requestor to satisfy the two-year foreign residence requirement." Is there a way for me to apply for a J1 waiver using the above protocol directly with the US Govt and not engaging the Govt of India.

User's Location: Dallas, Alabama, Canada

Category: Employment-based Green Card