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How to Prepare I-601: Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility

I-601 addresses specific waivable inadmissibility grounds. Identify the government finding, statutory waiver basis, qualifying relative, and discretionary factors first.

Official edition: 01/20/25
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This preparation and review worksheet is not an official USCIS form and cannot be filed.

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Part 1

Applicant Identity, Address, and Case

Enter identity, addresses, and current immigration or consular case information.

Match the passport or official record exactly.

Match the passport or official record exactly.

Leave blank if none.

Include maiden names and every name formally used.

Copy from the passport or birth record and verify month/day/year.

Prefer the English spelling already used on the passport.

List all citizenships requested by the official form.

Leave blank if none; this is not a receipt number.

Leave blank if none.

Include street, unit, city, state/province, postal code, and country.

Follow the form instructions when it is the same as the mailing address.

Include country and area codes.

Use an email address that will remain accessible.

List form, receipt/case number, location, and decision date.

How to prepare Form I-601

Confirm eligibility and filing category first, then match every answer to passports, civil documents, and immigration records.

  1. 1

    Identify the exact INA ground

    Use the refusal, RFE/NOID, or decision rather than a vague denial description.

  2. 2

    Confirm waiver availability and standard

    Different grounds require different relatives, hardship, or statutory elements.

  3. 3

    Build statement and evidence matrix

    Map each claim to source records, expert evidence, and favorable equities.

  4. 4

    Verify the current official edition and filing method

    Reopen the official page on filing day and verify edition, fee, online eligibility, address, and signature rules.

  5. 5

    Transfer to the official form and review every answer

    This site creates a preparation worksheet only. Transfer verified answers to the official PDF or system and add evidence, translations, and signatures.

Common evidence checklist

Evidence varies by category and case. Use this list to prepare, then review the current official instructions before filing.

  • Government inadmissibility finding, refusal, or decision
  • Complete immigration, travel, and case history
  • Qualifying relative status and relationship evidence
  • Medical, financial, caregiving, and education hardship evidence
  • Rehabilitation, accountability, and favorable equities
  • Detailed personal statements and certified translations

Form I-601 FAQs

Can I-601 waive every refusal ground?+

No. Only grounds with an available statutory waiver may be addressed.

Is extreme hardship based on the applicant's hardship?+

It depends on the statute, but the focus is often hardship to a qualifying relative.

Can this worksheet be filed directly?+

No. This is a I-601 preparation worksheet. File only through the current official form or system.

Should AI translate a person's name?+

No. Use the existing passport or official-record spelling. Names and identification numbers are never sent to AI.

Why are fees and addresses not hardcoded?+

Agencies change fees, filing channels, and addresses. Verify them again on the actual filing date.

A free public reference tool. Not legal advice or affiliated with the U.S. government.Verify with official USCIS information
How to Fill Out I-601: Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Guide | HuaRenCa