Form I-612 Application Process: Navigating the Waiver for the Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement

Form I-612 serves as a critical application for individuals seeking relief from the two-year foreign residence requirement. It navigates through the complex immigration landscape toward granting waivers based on extraordinary circumstances.

Purpose of Form I-612

The primary purpose of Form I-612 is to allow the applicant to request a waiver of the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. This requirement is typically applicable to J-1 exchange visitors who are subject to Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional hardship or persecution.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the Form I-612 waiver hinges on specific conditions that the applicant must meet. The applicant must prove that exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or child would result if the applicant complied with the two-year residency requirement. Alternatively, if the applicant can demonstrate that returning to the home country would subject them to persecution based on race, religion, or political opinion, they may also qualify.

The Form I-612 application process for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement involves preparing the necessary documents, adhering to filing procedures, and understanding the processing times.

Required Documents

• Personal Identification: Copy of passport, visa, and Form DS-2019.
• Evidence of Hardship: If claiming exceptional hardship, detailed supporting documentation is necessary.
• Legal Basis for Waiver: Official statements regarding the basis for the waiver, such as fear of persecution.

Filing Procedures

1. Fill Out Form I-612: Complete the form legibly in black ink or electronically.
2. Payment: Include the correct filing fee alongside the application.
3. Submission: File the application to the designated U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office.

Processing Times

• Initial Review: Typically ranges from a few weeks to several months.
• Advisory Opinion: If relevant, the Department of State may require additional time for its issuance.

When applying for an I-612 waiver, applicants must provide compelling reasons under two critical categories: hardship and persecution, and any changes in circumstances since the visa was granted.

Hardship and Persecution Claims

Hardship: An applicant must demonstrate that their departure from the U.S. would cause exceptional hardship to U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident dependents. Persecution: If the applicant can prove a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, they may be granted a waiver.

Change of Circumstances

The applicant must inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if there’s been a significant change in their personal situation or that of their dependents. This could include severe medical problems or a substantial shift in socio-political conditions in their home country.

The legal underpinnings of Form I-612 center on specific United States immigration laws and regulations, which articulate the conditions under which waivers can be granted to certain visa holders seeking relief from the two-year foreign residence requirement.

Relevant Statutes

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 212(e): This is the primary statute that delineates the two-year home-country physical presence requirement for J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents. It establishes the conditions that could subject an individual to this requirement and outlines potential waivers, including the exceptional hardship waiver.

• Exceptional Hardship Waiver: If a J-1 visa holder can demonstrate that their departure from the U.S. would cause exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or child, they may be eligible to apply for this waiver under the provisions of INA Section 212(e).

Regulatory Guidelines

USCIS Form I-612 is utilized to formally request a waiver of the residency requirement based on exceptional hardship or fear of persecution.

• Administrative Procedure: The submission and adjudication process of Form I-612 are guided by regulatory guidelines, ensuring that applicants provide sufficient evidence to support their claims and that decisions are made fairly and according to the law.
• Evidence Requirement: Applicants must provide compelling evidence that their circumstances warrant an exception to the two-year home-country residency requirement because of the severity of the hardship that would be caused to a qualified U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Once an applicant submits Form I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) initiates a multi-step process. The applicant should prepare for a period of waiting and active monitoring.

Receipt and Acknowledgement

Upon submission, USCIS provides a receipt notice confirming that the application has been received. This notice also includes a unique case number which is essential for future reference and tracking.

Case Status Tracking

Applicants can track their case status using the provided case number on USCIS’s online status check system. It’s crucial to regularly monitor this status to stay informed on the progress of the waiver review.

• Go to the USCIS case status online portal.
• Enter the provided case number.
• View the latest status updates.

Responding to Requests for Evidence

USCIS might need additional information to make a decision. In such cases, they will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). It is imperative that the applicant responds to an RFE within the given timeline, usually:

• Supply the requested evidence or documentation requested promptly.
• Failure to respond may result in denial of the waiver.

When an individual submits Form I-612, they can anticipate one of two primary outcomes—approval of the waiver or denial. Each outcome will guide the next steps an applicant can take.

Approval

If the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves the Exceptional Hardship Waiver, the individual is granted relief from the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. Approval means that the applicant can seek legal permanent residence (green card) or change status in the United States without having to satisfy the residence requirement related to their J-1 visa.

Denial and Appeals

In the event of denial, the applicant may seek an appeal of USCIS’s decision. A denial does not preclude one from attempting to obtain a waiver through other means, or from pursuing the two-year foreign residence abroad. Relevant appeals must follow a set protocol, as outlined by immigration laws, and be filed within the specified timeframe after receiving the denial notice.

When applying for Form I-612, applicants have access to a range of support services and essential contact information to help navigate the waiver process.

Support Services

USCIS Website: The official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website is a primary resource offering detailed information on Form I-612. It includes instructions for completing the form and specifics about the waiver process.

Legal Aid Organizations: Non-profit organizations provide guidance and may assist with the preparation of Form I-612. They can clarify the exceptional hardship criteria and help compile necessary documentation.

Contact Information

USCIS Contact Center:

• Phone: 1-800-375-5283
• For the hearing impaired: TTY 1-800-767-1833

Applicants can call for personalized support.

Legal Representation:

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) offers a lawyer search tool for finding immigration attorneys.

An attorney specializes in immigration law can provide legal advice and help with the waiver application process.