What is I-612 waiver?
Emma Martin
Published Feb 24, 2026
What is I-612 waiver?
I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended) J-1 and J-2 visas holders and their families may use this form to apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement.
Who needs to file Form I-612?
Who Needs to File Form I-612? You need to file USCIS Form I-612 if you, having lived in the US on a J-1 visa, seek a waiver based on (i) legitimate fear of persecution if you return home or (ii) exceptional hardship to your US citizen spouse or child.
How Long Does US waiver take?
How long does it take to receive a US entry waiver? The application process for a US entry waiver can take from six to 18 months depending on its complexity.
Is it hard to get a j1 waiver?
If you received funding from your home government or an international organization, or are subject based on the skills list, you may request a waiver for the J-1 home residency requirement. However, it is extremely difficult to get a waiver if you received U.S. government funding.
Why did USCIS transfer my case?
Now and again, USCIS will have to transfer your status to a new office – which means that the old office will no longer have jurisdiction. This is all because the backlog might end up being quite lengthy due to the high demand – prompting some of the cases to be moved from one service center to another.
What is a waiver request?
What is a Waiver Request? A waiver request is a request to be forgiven for an overpayment of benefits because of a financial hardship. Certain federal programs permit claimants who have received an overpayment of benefits to apply for a waiver from repayment if: The claimant was not at fault for the overpayment; and.
How do I document my compliance with the 2 year requirement?
A: You need to compile documentation as proof that you have stayed in your home country for 2 years. Examples of documentation include entry and exit stamps in your passport, lease agreements, employment letters, letters of school attendance, and affidavits from third parties.
Can I visit USA with criminal record?
Under US Immigration law, if you have been arrested at any time, you are required to declare the arrest when applying for a visa. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to the United States visa law. Therefore, even travellers with a spent conviction are required to declare the arrest and/or conviction.
Who needs a waiver to enter the US?
You will need to apply for a US entry waiver if any of the following apply to you: You have been refused entry at the border. You have overstayed your welcome in the US (over 6 months in the country without status) You have worked illegally in the United States.
What happens after J-1 waiver?
Once the J-1 waiver has been approved, the physician has two options: File for the PERM Labor Certification by a U.S. employer, or. File for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) for an EB-2 green card.
How long J-1 waiver takes?
A: According the State Department’s website, a waiver based on a request from a State health agency may take 4 to 6 weeks once all necessary documents have been submitted.
Why is USCIS so slow?
While the current administration has made some useful changes, including noted policies, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the continued slowdown. For example, from March to July 2020, USCIS closed its offices for biometric interviews and appointments, creating a delay, especially for biometric appointments.
What is the i-612 form?
I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended) J-1 and J-2 visas holders and their families may use this form to apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement.
Is there a waiver for foreign residence requirement?
Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212 (e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended) ALERT: USCIS is reverting to the intake process we applied before October 2019 to Form I-589, Form I-612, and Form I-918.
How do I get a waiver from the Department of State?
Specifically, you may apply to the Department of State, Waiver Review Division for a recommendation that USCIS grant a waiver. Your waiver request must be under any one of the five applicable bases in U.S. immigration law. Choose the one basis that you qualify for or applies to your situation.
Can a former exchange visitor get a waiver from USCIS?
There is a provision in U.S. law for a waiver of this requirement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The former exchange visitor must apply for the waiver. The Department of State, Waiver Review Division must recommend the waiver to USCIS.