In-Country Filing of Waivers of Certain Grounds of Inadmissibility

On May 23, 2012, USCIS announced that beginning on June 4, 2012, individuals abroad who have applied for certain visas and have been found ineligible by a U.S. Consular Officer, will be able to mail requests to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility to a processing center in the United States.

It is the Service’s goal to process waiver applications more quickly and more efficiently and to ensure consistent adjudication.

The change affects filings for:

Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal
Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, (if filed after a denial of a Form I-601 or Form I-212).

This change in waiver filing and processing should not be confused with the “provisional waiver proposal” set forth by USCIS on Mar. 30, 2012. (see below)