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USCISImmigration Status

Official form guide

Form I-193: Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa

Form I-193 is the Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa. It is used when a non‑citizen cannot obtain a passport or visa but needs to travel internationally for urgent humanitarian or public‑interest reasons.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-193 - Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa

Form I-193 is the Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa. It is used when a non‑citizen cannot obtain a passport or visa but needs to travel internationally for urgent humanitarian or public‑interest reasons.

It captures personal data, travel itinerary, reason for the waiver, supporting evidence, and a fee payment.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single missing signature can cause the entire application to be rejected.
  • 2Incorrect fee amount or payment method
  • 3Missing supporting documents
  • 4Wrong mailing address or outdated edition
  • 5Illegible handwriting or missing signatures

Plain English

If you need to leave the U.S. but can’t get a passport or visa in time, you can ask USCIS for a temporary waiver. The form asks why you need to travel, what you’ll do abroad, and how you’ll get back safely.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File the form before your planned departure; there is no fixed deadline, but processing can take weeks, so submit as early as possible.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

interestpaymentobtain

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when you cannot obtain a passport or visa but have urgent travel needs.
  • Do not use for routine travel or when a passport can be obtained.
  • Check Form I-131 if you need a travel document instead of a waiver.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Urgent humanitarian travel

Issued for refugees/asylees

✓ Verify refugee/asylee status first

Form I-131 (Refugee Travel Document)

Travel for law enforcement or military duty

For lawful permanent residents

✓ Confirm LPR status before filing

Form I-131 (Reentry Permit)

Need to replace a lost passport abroad

Only for U.S. citizens

✓ Not applicable to non‑citizens

Form DS-11 (U.S. passport)

Deadline or filing window

USCIS does not set a fixed deadline for I‑193 filings; processing time varies. Submit the form well before your intended departure date to allow for possible requests for additional evidence.

  • —Fee amount | Fixed $250 | Total fee due | Verify current fee on USCIS fee schedule

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Reason for travel

Letter from doctor, court order, or employer · Usually in the requester's file

⚠ Often omitted or vague✕ High
2

Inability to obtain passport/visa

Denial letter or consular statement · From the foreign embassy or U.S. consulate

⚠ Missing date or official stamp✕ Medium
3

Travel itinerary

Flight reservation or travel ticket · Airline confirmation email

⚠ Dates not matching waiver reason✕ Medium
4

Proof of ties to U.S.

Employment letter, lease, or school enrollment · HR or landlord records

⚠ Out‑of‑date documents✕ Low
5

Fee payment proof

Check or money order copy · Bank statement if needed

⚠ Misspelled payee name✕ High

Before you submit

  1. 1Use the latest edition of Form I‑193.
  2. 2All required fields are completed in black ink or typed.
  3. 3Applicant’s signature and date are present.
  4. 4Fee amount matches the current USCIS schedule.
  5. 5Payment method follows the instructions (check or money order).
  6. 6All supporting documents are attached and labeled.
  7. 7Copies of any passport/visa denial letters are included.
  8. 8Travel itinerary matches the stated reason for waiver.
  9. 9Mailing address matches the one in the instructions.
  10. 10Use a trackable mailing service and keep the receipt.
  11. 11Retain a full PDF/photocopy set for your records.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the current I‑193 PDF from USCIS.gov.
  2. 2Complete the form electronically or by hand; avoid corrections.
  3. 3Assemble supporting evidence in the order listed in the instructions.
  4. 4Prepare the filing fee payment (check or money order).
  5. 5Place the form, fee, and evidence in a single envelope.
  6. 6Mail to the USCIS Lockbox address using a trackable service.
  7. 7Record the tracking number and receipt date.
  8. 8Log the 13‑digit receipt number when the I‑797C arrives.

Known limitations

  1. 1USCIS does not publish exact processing times for I‑193.
  2. 2Form instructions may lag behind policy changes; verify with USCIS announcements.
  3. 3No online filing option; only paper submission is accepted.
  4. 4Fee amount can change without notice; always check the latest fee schedule.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name.

Requiredtext
Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
A-Number

Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.

text

Details

1 items

Basis for Application

The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.

Requiredtext

Evidence

1 items

Supporting Documentation

List of documents supporting this application.

Requiredtext

Signatures

2 items

Applicant Signature

Sign under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature
Date of Signature

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
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Current form status
USCIS

USCIS updates the status of I‑193 filings on its online case tracker. You will receive a receipt notice with a 13‑digit number after the package is accepted.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – verify the form is the most recent version (check USCIS website).
  • Fee – confirm current fee amount and acceptable payment types.
  • Mailing address – use the address listed in the latest instructions.
  • Signature requirements – ensure all required signatures are present.
  • Document format – PDFs must be legible; paper copies must be single‑sided.

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Form I-193 page 1

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Form I-193 page 2

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Quick Facts

The foreign national who needs the waiver (or their authorized representative) files the form.
It captures personal data, travel itinerary, reason for the waiver, supporting evidence, and a fee payment.
File the form before your planned departure; there is no fixed deadline, but processing can take weeks, so submit as early as possible.
Mail the completed form, fee, and supporting documents to the USCIS Lockbox address listed in the instructions. Some filing centers also accept in‑person delivery.
Errors or missing evidence can delay or deny the waiver, leaving you stranded or unable to travel on schedule.
1. Download the latest I‑193 PDF from USCIS.gov. 2. Fill it out electronically or by hand in black ink. 3. Gather required evidence (medical letters, court orders, travel itinerary, proof of inability to obtain passport/visa). 4. Include the filing fee (check or money order) and a copy of the receipt. 5. Mail the package using a trackable service. 6. Keep a copy of everything for your records.

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After you file

  1. 1Save the receipt notice and tracking confirmation.
  2. 2Enter the receipt number into the USCIS case status tool.
  3. 3Monitor case status weekly for updates or RFEs.
  4. 4If an RFE is issued, respond within the given deadline.
  5. 5Keep copies of all correspondence and evidence for the travel period.
  6. 6Notify the travel sponsor or employer of the receipt number.
  7. 7When the waiver is approved, retain the approval notice for border officials.

Sources

  • SRCUSCIS Form I-193 PDFofficial instructions and fee table.
  • SRCUSCIS Fee Scheduleconfirms $250 filing fee (as of latest update).
  • SRCUSCIS Lockbox mailing addresseslisted in the form instructions.
  • SRCUSCIS Case Status Onlinemethod to track receipt number.
  • SRCUSCIS Policy Manualguidance on waiver eligibility (humanitarian, public interest).
  • SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official sourceexact processing time for I-193.

Common confusion points

Passport vs. visa waiver

Applicants think the form replaces a passport

→ Verify you truly cannot obtain a passport first

Fee amount

Fee listed in older PDFs may be outdated

→ Check the current fee schedule

Mailing address

Different addresses for regular vs. express delivery

→ Use the address in the latest instructions

Signature line

Some applicants sign on the cover page only

→ Ensure signature appears on the designated line

Supporting evidence

Over‑ or under‑submitting documents

→ Follow the exact list in the instructions

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form I-130 (Petition for Relative) – may establish eligibility for a waiver later

Current

I-193

After

Form I-797C (Receipt Notice) – confirms USCIS has received the I‑193

Often used with

Form I-131 (Travel Document) – alternative when a travel document is appropriate

⚠ If something goes wrong

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Independent guide

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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