United States immigration is a complex, multi-agency affair. This leads to many different options for immigrants, many forms and many factors that could affect your eligibility.
The I-601 waiver deals with this eligibility issue. You might need to file it in order to communicate exceptions that apply to your specific case.
What is the I-601 waiver?
As explained by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, form I-601 is an application for waiver of grounds of inadmissibility. Essentially, USCIS may determine that you are inadmissible to enter the county on multiple grounds. This form applies for a waiver of certain of those grounds.
When would you use form I-601?
You would use this form to provide more information about your situation to USCIS. Specifically, you would probably use it to correct an inadmissible status.
Even then, your application for a waiver using I-601 only has a chance to be both effective and necessary in specific situations. However, there is a good chance this form could apply to your immigration goals if they included any of the following:
- Seeking an immigrant-class visa
- Trying to adjust your status
- Seeking some nonimmigrant statuses or immigration benefits
Do I need an I-601?
Some immigrants do not need an I-601. One very strong indication that you do not need one is if you are not inadmissible. You might also want to consider whether the related form I-601A is more appropriate for your situation.
This is one of the more common remedies for certain types of adverse immigration decisions. However, that does not mean that it is the only option available for you — nor does it mean that it is necessarily the best.
