USCIS Revises Form I-601, Application for Waiver
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the revision of Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability. The purpose of this USCIS immigration form is to enable a person who is termed ineligible to be admitted to the United States seek a waiver of certain grounds of inadmissibility.
The revised version of the Form I-601 aims at making it easier for the applicants to complete the form. The new version of the USCIS immigration form includes a list of grounds of inadmissibility. To request a waiver, applicants can mark those that apply to them.
In the previous version, the information about the grounds of inadmissibility was found only in the form’s instructions. But now the revised version of the Form I-601 contains a section for applicants to describe reasons for their inadmissibility.
USCIS also plans to waive the filing fee in certain cases taking into consideration the individual’s inability to pay. The fee waiver is only available to individuals who meet a few conditions listed. For instance, an alien who has valid T or U nonimmigrant status or an approved Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner unable to pay the filing fee is eligible for the waiver.
USCIS plans to accept the earlier edition of this USA immigration form dated 10/30/08 till November 20, 2009. But from November 21, the previous versions of the form will be rejected and only the revised Form I-601 dated 04/06/09 will be accepted.
Individuals residing in the United States and applying for a status as permanent resident can file the Form I-601 with the local office, which has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Individuals not in the United States however, can file the Form I-601 with the American embassy or the consulate where they are applying for the visa.
The revised version of the Form I-601 aims at making it easier for the applicants to complete the form. The new version of the USCIS immigration form includes a list of grounds of inadmissibility. To request a waiver, applicants can mark those that apply to them.
In the previous version, the information about the grounds of inadmissibility was found only in the form’s instructions. But now the revised version of the Form I-601 contains a section for applicants to describe reasons for their inadmissibility.
USCIS also plans to waive the filing fee in certain cases taking into consideration the individual’s inability to pay. The fee waiver is only available to individuals who meet a few conditions listed. For instance, an alien who has valid T or U nonimmigrant status or an approved Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner unable to pay the filing fee is eligible for the waiver.
USCIS plans to accept the earlier edition of this USA immigration form dated 10/30/08 till November 20, 2009. But from November 21, the previous versions of the form will be rejected and only the revised Form I-601 dated 04/06/09 will be accepted.
Individuals residing in the United States and applying for a status as permanent resident can file the Form I-601 with the local office, which has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Individuals not in the United States however, can file the Form I-601 with the American embassy or the consulate where they are applying for the visa.