USCIS Revises Form I-601, Application for Waiver

United States Citizenship and Immigration Servicescases taking into consideration the individual’s
(USCIS) recently announced the revision of Forminability to pay. The fee waiver is only available to
I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds ofindividuals who meet a few conditions listed. For
Excludability. The purpose of this USCIS immigrationinstance, an alien who has valid T or U nonimmigrant
form is to enable a person who is termed ineligible tostatus or an approved Violence Against Women Act
be admitted to the United States seek a waiver of(VAWA) self-petitioner unable to pay the filing fee is
certain grounds of inadmissibility.eligible for the waiver.
The revised version of the Form I-601 aims atUSCIS plans to accept the earlier edition of this USA
making it easier for the applicants to complete theimmigration form dated 10/30/08 till November 20,
form. The new version of the USCIS immigration2009. But from November 21, the previous versions
form includes a list of grounds of inadmissibility. Toof the form will be rejected and only the revised
request a waiver, applicants can mark those thatForm I-601 dated 04/06/09 will be accepted.
apply to them.Individuals residing in the United States and applying
In the previous version, the information about thefor a status as permanent resident can file the Form
grounds of inadmissibility was found only in theI-601 with the local office, which has jurisdiction over
form’s instructions. But now the revised versiontheir place of residence. Individuals not in the United
of the Form I-601 contains a section for applicants toStates however, can file the Form I-601 with the
describe reasons for their inadmissibility.American embassy or the consulate where they are
USCIS also plans to waive the filing fee in certainapplying for the visa.