Processing of NOS Application Resumes Under Revised Guidelines and Procedures

The Exchange Visitors Program Committee of the Philippines will resume processing applications for No Objection Statement (NOS) from Filipino J1 Visa Holders starting 25 May 2021. Applications will be processed based on the revised guidelines and procedures as provided by EVP Resolution No. 02-2021 dated 6 April 2021.

Procedurally, EVP Participants who seek to waive their two-year home-country residency, as required by Section 212(e) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, may apply for an NOS from the Philippine Government through the EVP Committee. Unfortunately, the NOS has become a means for Filipino exchange visitors to easily change their immigrant status in the US or extend their stay in the US. This, in turn, prevents them from returning to the Philippines to transfer skills and knowledge acquired during the program. As such, it undermines the objective of the program for Filipinos to participate in educational exchanges in the US in the hope that their newly acquired expertise will contribute to Philippine development.

Under the revised guidelines and procedures on the waiver of the two-year home-country residency requirement for exchange visitors, NOS applicants whose basis of application are among the following will no longer be issued an NOS automatically:

1. The applicant is married to a US citizen or legal permanent resident, or has a minor child who is a US citizen residing in the United States;

2. The applicant is a religious worker (priest, nun, missionary) in a recognized religious denomination; and

3. The applicant has an ailing family member (direct ascendant, descendant, or legal spouse) in the United States, and his/her separation from the latter would cause a severe and direct threat to the life of the same; and

4. The applicant is aged 60 and above.

The number of exchange visitors citing the above-mentioned reasons for application, particularly items 1 and 2, has significantly increased in the last decade. Moreover, NOS applications from J2 visa holders (dependents of exchange visitors) will no longer be processed by the EVP Committee.

The EVP Committee will strictly adhere to and be guided by the integrity and purpose of the EVP, as well as the objective of Philippine participation in the said program, in the issuance of the NOS. Hence, only those applicants whose cases may fall under highly meritorious circumstances, such as, but not limited to, applications from researchers or professionals whose continued stay in the United States will advance the Philippines’ national interest, shall be granted. These researches and studies should be sustainable, suitable to the current priorities of the Philippine government, and will improve the quality of research and development (R&D) in the Philippines.

 

In its deliberations of NOS applications, the EVP Committee will consult concerned government agencies or private institutions, as needed, to determine highly meritorious cases which are consistent with the national interest.

 

For inquiries/clarifications regarding NOS application, you may reach us through e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..