Quick summary
#The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for the benefit category they are applying for. For related guidance, see the U.S. Visa Photo Requirements page. For related guidance, see the F-1 Student Visa Checklist page.
J-1: J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Include it with your application package and follow official instructions for submission.
Names, dates of birth, and passport details on other forms Program checklist requirements Supporting documents and translations
Overview (What is Form DS-3035?)
#Form DS-3035 is used to request a waiver of the two-year home-country physical presence requirement for J-1 visa holders. This form must be filed with the Department of State's Waiver Review Division to obtain a waiver recommendation. Applicants pursuing waivers on the basis of exceptional hardship or persecution must also file a Form 612 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is important for applicants to provide comprehensive and accurate information to improve their chances of obtaining a favorable recommendation. Filing DS-3035 does not guarantee approval.
Official portal interface for DS-3035
Source: DS-3035 online portal
Context and workflow
#Processing time for DS-3035 varies by case type and current workload β always check the official Department of State processing time tool.
Why this matters
- This form acts as a cross-check point: details here must match other forms and supporting documents.
- Inconsistencies often trigger returns or follow-up requests because they create uncertainty in the case record.
Where it fits in the workflow
- Initiates the waiver process for related forms visa holders.
- Leads to a recommendation from the Department of State's Waiver Review Division.
Who uses it
The DS-3035 form is intended for J-1 exchange visitors seeking a waiver of the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. This form is filed with the Department of State's Waiver Review Division. Applicants who are pursuing waivers based on exceptional hardship or persecution must also submit Form 612 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Filing the DS-3035 does not guarantee approval, and applicants should ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for their specific waiver category.
When it is used
- J-1: J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Failure prevention (What causes Form DS-3035 rejections?)
#Technical rejections
- Not submitting Form 612 when required.
- Ensure form edition is current
Substantive weaknesses
- Insufficient evidence to support claims of exceptional hardship or persecution.
- Lack of clarity in explaining the need for the waiver.
- To avoid filing without meeting no-objection or other waiver basis: Ensure you have a valid waiver basis (no objection, interest, hardship, persecution).
- To avoid incomplete or missing no-objection statement (when using that basis): Obtain and include embassy no-objection letter per instructions.
- To avoid submitting before completing all federal agency responses: Wait for DOS, DHS, and other agency responses; processing is sequential.
What it asks for (What does Form DS-3035 ask for?)
#- Request a waiver recommendation from the Department of Stateβs Waiver Review Division.
- Your reason for requesting a waiver of the two-year home-country physical presence requirement
- Details of your J-1 exchange program participation
- Applicant identification information
- Supporting documentation inventory
- Eligibility or purpose details
- Declarations and signatures
- Documentation related to: Complete all required sections, sign, and submit with required evidence
Sources for this section
What you need (What do you need for Form DS-3035?)
#- The current edition of DS-3035
- Proof of current immigration status
- Government-issued photo identification
- Passport-style photographs meeting specifications
- Complete all required sections, sign, and submit with required evidence.
Sources for this section
Checklist (What is the Form DS-3035 checklist?)
#- Access the latest DS-3035 form and accompanying instructions directly from the official Department of State website.
- Before you file, carefully review the official instructions for Form DS-3035.
- Gather required supporting documents per the instructions
- Complete all required sections of DS-3035
- Sign, date, and submit DS-3035 with all required supporting evidence
Sources for this section
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing FeeProcessing Times Processing Fee Exchange Visitors Skills List - 2024 Waiver requests from: State Public Health Departments Interested U. | See official schedule |
| Biometrics Services FeeA biometrics fee may be required depending on your category. Check the official fee schedule. | See official schedule |
Can the Form DS-3035 fee be waived?
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
Department of State will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
Department of State fee schedule
Fees change; always verify on Department of State.
Processing times
#- Processing Times Processing Fee Exchange Visitors Skills List - 2024 Waiver requests from: State Public Health Departments Interested U.
- processing times to learn more.
- Processing times differ significantly by eligibility category. Initial applications, renewals, and replacements each go through different adjudication queues, and some categories consistently take longer than others.
- Renewal filings are often processed differently than initial applications. If you are renewing, file well before your current authorization expires β some categories allow you to continue working while the renewal is pending if filed on time.
- The service center assigned to your case affects how long it takes. Department of State distributes filings across multiple centers, and each has different workloads. You cannot choose which center processes your case.
- To check your estimated timeline: visit the official Department of State processing times tool, select your form and eligibility category, and note that the tool shows the filing date of cases currently being worked on β not a countdown from when you filed.
Where to file
#Online filing is available for some categories β verify on the official form page. Otherwise, file by mail to the address in the instructions.
File online
Check the official DS-3035 page to see if online filing is available for your category.
Submit application
Paper filing addresses vary by eligibility category and state of residence. Check the official instructions for the correct filing address.
Filing locations and procedures may change. Always verify on the official Department of State website before submitting.
Key terms
#- Two-year home-country physical presence requirement
- A rule that requires J-1 visa holders to return to their home country for two years after their program.In this form: This requirement applies to certain J-1 visa holders and can be waived by filing Form DS-3035.
Strategy tips
#Mistake severity
#| Mistake type | Severity | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Filing without meeting no-objection or other waiver basis | Rejection | Ensure you have a valid waiver basis (no objection, interest, hardship, persecution). |
| Incomplete or missing no-objection statement (when using that basis) | RFE | Obtain and include embassy no-objection letter per instructions. |
| Submitting before completing all federal agency responses | Delay | Wait for DOS, DHS, and other agency responses; processing is sequential. |
Examples (What are examples for Form DS-3035?)
#- Strong application: An applicant submits the form with all required documents and receives a timely decision.
- Scenario: A software engineer submitted their petition with all supporting documents The case was approved within the standard timeline Prepare all evidence before filing to avoid delays
- An individual found inadmissible due to a prior removal files DS-3035 to request permission to reapply
- An applicant in the J-1 category files DS-3035 as part of their immigration process
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form DS-3035?)
#- Some applicants assume that filing DS-3035 alone is sufficient for all waiver requests, but additional forms like Form 612 may be required for specific cases.
- A waiver is routinely granted if you meet the filing requirements β Waivers are discretionary. You must demonstrate that the qualifying relative would suffer extreme hardship if the waiver is not approved.
- DS-3035 has more than one fee component (e.g. Filing Fee and Biometrics Services Fee); paying only one or paying the wrong amount can result in rejection of the entire filing.
- A fee waiver for DS-3035 is not automatic β only specific qualifying categories are eligible, and a waiver request can be denied while the underlying form is still expected to be filed.
- DS-3035 cannot always be filed in any way β the correct filing method depends on the applicant's category, and using the wrong channel can result in rejection.
- DS-3035 can be rejected before substantive review for technical errors such as βNot submitting Form 612 when required.β
Edge cases and variations
#- If you are asked to submit or update DS-3035, treat it as a package update: check every place the same details appear and keep them consistent.
Scenarios
#A software engineer submitted their petition with all supporting documents
The case was approved within the standard timeline
Prepare all evidence before filing to avoid delays
Key differentiators
#- Unlike Form 612: Form DS-3035 is specifically for requesting a waiver recommendation from the Department of State, while Form 612 is for waivers based on exceptional hardship or persecution.
Why it matters
#What happens after you submit
#- Receive a Receipt Notice (a related form) confirming the application has been received.
- The Department of State reviews the waiver request.
- Receive a recommendation from the Waiver Review Division.
- If recommended, proceed with any additional steps required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Await final decision on the waiver application.
Verification
#This guide is based on official Department of State instructions for DS-3035 and is updated with changes in form editions or filing rules. Always confirm current requirements on the official Department of State website.
Resources
#Free United States planning tools
#Itemize the government fees that go alongside Form DS-3035.
United States eligibility checker
See which United States visas your profile fits before you finalize Form DS-3035.
United States processing times
Get the typical wait time for the visa associated with Form DS-3035.
United States interview practice
Practice United States interview questions if your filing route includes one.