How to File Form I-601A
The I-601A form, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, is used by immediate relatives to apply for a waiver of the three- and ten-year time bars for unlawful presence, in order to overcome a barrier to obtaining a green card. It is closely related to the form I-601 that is used by any immigrant applying for a waiver of inadmissibility. The form basically appeals to the U.S. government to overlook the fact that the applicant is inadmissible based on past commission of a crime or fraud, or excessive unlawful presence in the U.S.
Steps to File Form I-601A
1. Ensure that you are eligible to use the form. The eligibility criteria are:
- You are the beneficiary of an approved immigrant visa petition classifying you as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen; and
- You have already paid the Department of State immigrant visa processing fee for the case associated with the approved immigrant visa petition.
2. Complete and submit the I-601A form to USCIS.
3. Submit a copy of your fee receipt for your Department of State immigrant visa processing fee. Place the fee receipt on top of the Form I-601A when you submit your application.
4. Mail the package to the appropriate USCIS or U.S. embassy address. Refer to the I-601A instructions to find out where to send your package.
