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)