Hi, my name is Mario and I am from Brazil. I came to US on a J1 Visa and I am also subject to Section 212(e) – return home for two years. When I came here, I was under Fulbright/ASPONA - scholarship. ASPONA, which is a federation of industries in my state, paid for half of my expenses and Fulbright paid for the other half. Under the Scholarship, I got an MBA from an American University. After that, I decided to stay longer and get another master, which I had my sponsorship transferred to this university and I had to work to support myself. At that time, Fulbright Brazil emailed Fulbright US and let them know that I was free to do my own choices and that I did not need their authorization to do anything, once I was not under their sponsorship anymore. I already have a job in US and I am trying to get a two year waiver and change my visa. I’ve talked to people at ASPONA and they've already given me a “Letter of No-Objection”. I’ve talked to Fulbright – Brazil a couple of times and although, they’ve not said “No” to my request, they let me understand that they will hardly provide it to me. I need to get this waiver a.s.a.p and I have been planning to apply for the “No-Objection Category waiver”, although there is info on the US Department of State Web Site saying that the “No Objection” application in Fulbright funded programs are generally denied. I know that I have to have a “Letter of No Objection” from the Brazilian government, but I was thinking that once I have either only one or both letters, things would be easier. Can somebody please tell me if I will be wasting my time using the “No Objection” application? Do you also know any attorneys who have had experience with waiver on Fulbright funded program before? Thanks.

Realistically speaking, due to the Fulbright Funding, there’s very, very little chance that a No Objection waiver would be approved by the Department of State unless your case has truly unique and compelling circumstances.

If you’d like to arrange for an in-person or telephonic consultation with me to further review your case, please contact my office.

Edward Weiner
Attorney at Law

E-mail: E.Weiner@immigration-aux-usa.com
Internet Site: http://www.immigration-aux-usa.com/