Formulario I-601

Immigration Waiver I-601

The I-601 is the form to request a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility. It allows people who have been rejected or are inadmissible to obtain an exception to legally enter or remain in the United States.

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What is the I-601 Immigration Waiver?

When a person is declared inadmissible in the USA (due to unlawful presence, misrepresentation, moral crime or other reasons), the I-601 is the formal pardon that can remove that barrier and allow the approval of a visa or permanent residence.

It is processed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and requires demonstrating that inadmissibility would cause extreme and exceptional hardship to an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

What grounds of inadmissibility does it apply to?

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Unlawful presence (3 and 10-year bar)

If you were undocumented for more than 180 days and left the USA, you face a 3 or 10-year bar. The I-601 can remove it.

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Misrepresentation (Fraud or false claim)

If you ever provided false information to an immigration officer or on a government form.

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Crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT)

If convicted of certain crimes that qualify as a crime of moral turpitude under immigration law.

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Drug violations

Certain simple possession convictions for marijuana or other drugs may be waived with the I-601.

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Prior deportation orders

If you had a prior removal order, the I-601A may accompany the re-entry application.

Main requirements

1 Have a qualifying relative (spouse, parent) who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

2 Demonstrate that separation or denial would cause extreme and exceptional hardship to the qualifying relative

3 Complete Form I-601 (Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility)

4 Pay the filing fee (currently $930 USD)

5 Medical, economic, psychological or other evidence of extreme hardship

6 Support letters, affidavits and supporting documents

Step-by-step process

Eligibility evaluation

We determine if you qualify for the waiver and what type of I-601 applies to your specific case.

Evidence gathering

We collect evidence of extreme hardship: medical, psychological, economic, children's school letters, etc.

Form preparation

We complete the I-601 with all required information and the written extreme hardship statement.

Filing with USCIS

We send the complete package to the corresponding USCIS service center.

Follow-up and RFE responses

If additional evidence is requested (RFE), we respond within the required timeframe.

Final decision

USCIS issues its decision. Current processing times are 12 to 36 months.

Costs and processing times

USCIS Fee

$930 USD

Approx. time

12–36 months

Approval rate

~60–70%

Free review

With Catholic Charities

Do you think you qualify for the I-601?

Fill out the form and our team will review your case at no cost.

📋 Request evaluation → See also: I-212 →