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. 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: J1 Visa (Student Visa)