USCIS Officially Begins Accepting I-601A Provisional Waivers of Unlawful Presence Today

Contributed by Kim Tremblay, Associate Attorney

In January 2013, the Department of Homeland Security announced the final rules for the I-601A provisional waiver process for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are physically present in the United States.  Starting today, individuals can apply for this waiver while in the United States and then to proceed with their immigrant visa interview abroad once the waiver is approved.

This will allow spouses and children of U.S. citizens to move forward with the immigration process while limiting the time that families are separated.

The waiver is not available to everyone and applicants must follow specific processes before they can apply for a waiver.  Potential applicants should consult with a licensed immigration attorney or an accredited organization before applying for a waiver to ensure that they are indeed eligible and have followed to proper steps.

For More Information on I-601A Provisional Waivers, click here.