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Form I-602: Application by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds
Form I-602 is the Application by a Refugee for a Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds. It is used when a refugee who has been granted status is later found inadmissible for a specific ground and needs a waiver to remain in the U.S.
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USCIS Form I-602 - Application by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds
Form I-602 is the Application by a Refugee for a Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds. It is used when a refugee who has been granted status is later found inadmissible for a specific ground and needs a waiver to remain in the U.S.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A single missing signature can cause the entire waiver request to be rejected.
- 2Leaving any required field blank
- 3Submitting outdated edition of the form
- 4Missing fee or incorrect fee amount
- 5Failing to attach required supporting documents
Plain English
If you were admitted as a refugee but later discovered you have a problem that makes you technically ineligible to stay, you file this form to ask USCIS for a waiver. The agency will review your circumstances and decide if you can keep your refugee status.
Submission Date
- Filing date: File the I-602 as soon as you receive a notice of inadmissibility; there is no statutory deadline, but delays increase the risk of removal.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use when a refugee is found inadmissible for a ground that can be waived.
- Do not use if you are applying for adjustment of status; that requires Form I-485.
- If you are a special immigrant, see Form I-730 or I-730A instead.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Removal proceeding started
Required for removal defense
✓ Verify if waiver is the correct remedy
Lost refugee status before waiver
Initial asylum application
✓ May need to restart asylum process
Deadline or filing window
USCIS does not set a hard deadline for filing I-602, but the waiver request must be submitted before a final removal order is issued. Filing promptly reduces the chance of a removal order being entered while the waiver is pending.
- —Fee amount | N/A | Total filing cost | Verify fee on USCIS website
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Inadmissibility ground description
Written statement explaining the ground · Form instructions, Part 5
Proof of refugee status
I-94, I-693, or approval notice · USCIS case file
Hardship evidence
Medical records, financial statements, affidavits · Applicant’s personal files
Fee payment proof
Receipt, check, or fee waiver approval · Payment method used
Before you submit
- 1Use the latest edition of Form I-602.
- 2Complete every question; write N/A where not applicable.
- 3Attach a copy of the refugee approval notice.
- 4Include all hardship supporting documents.
- 5Pay the correct filing fee or attach fee waiver approval.
- 6Sign and date the form in the appropriate box.
- 7Make a photocopy of the entire packet for your records.
- 8Mail using a trackable service to the correct USCIS address.
- 9Confirm receipt of the filing via USCIS case status online.
How to file this form
- 1Download the current I-602 PDF from USCIS.gov.
- 2Fill the form electronically or by hand in black ink.
- 3Gather required evidence and organize in the order listed in the instructions.
- 4Prepare the filing fee payment or fee waiver request.
- 5Sign the form and date it.
- 6Package the form, evidence, and fee receipt in a single envelope.
- 7Mail to the designated USCIS Lockbox with a tracking number.
Known limitations
- 1USCIS does not publish a specific processing time for I-602; estimates are based on similar waiver cases.
- 2The form does not accept electronic signatures; a handwritten signature is required.
- 3Fee waiver eligibility is determined case‑by‑case; the form provides no guarantee of approval.
- 4Evidence requirements can vary by inadmissibility ground; the instructions give only general guidance.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Petitioner Info
3 items
Your current legal name as it appears on your Green Card or U.S. passport.
Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
Your Green Card number (A-Number) if a permanent resident, or USCIS online account number.
Beneficiary Info
3 items
Full legal name of the relative you are petitioning for.
Date of birth of the relative (MM/DD/YYYY).
Alien Registration Number of the beneficiary if previously assigned.
Relationship
1 items
Select the qualifying relationship: spouse, unmarried child under 21, unmarried child over 21, married child, parent, or sibling.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents establishing the qualifying relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
Signatures
2 items
Your signature certifying all information is correct under penalty of perjury.
Date you signed the form (MM/DD/YYYY).
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Check the USCIS website for the current edition date and fee schedule before filing. The form is regularly updated; using an old version may result in processing delays.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date – verify the form shows the latest date (e.g., 02/02/2024).
- Fee – confirm the current filing fee on the USCIS fee table.
- Mailing address – use the address listed in the instructions for your state.
- Signature line – ensure the refugee signs in the designated box.
- Document checklist – attach all items listed in the evidence matrix.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Save the mailing receipt and USCIS receipt number.
- 2Create a calendar reminder to check case status weekly.
- 3Monitor any USCIS notices for Requests for Evidence (RFE).
- 4If an RFE is issued, respond within the given deadline.
- 5Keep copies of all correspondence and evidence submitted.
- 6Notify your attorney or representative of any changes in address.
- 7Prepare for a possible interview or biometrics appointment if requested.
Sources
- SRCUSCIS Form I-602 Instructionsprovides purpose and filing instructions.
- SRCUSCIS Fee Scheduleconfirms current filing fee.
- SRCUSCIS Lockbox Addresseslists mailing destinations.
- SRCForm I-602 PDFshows required fields and signature line.
- SRCUSCIS Policy Manualoutlines waivable inadmissibility grounds for refugees.
- SRCNot found in provided sourceexact processing time for I-602.
Common confusion points
Inadmissibility ground vs. waiver eligibility
Applicants think any ground can be waived
→ Verify that the specific ground is listed as waivable in the instructions
Fee waiver vs. fee exemption
Some think a waiver request eliminates the fee
→ Confirm fee waiver approval before omitting payment
Electronic vs. paper filing
USCIS sometimes allows e‑filing for related forms
→ I-602 currently requires paper submission
Signature placement
Signature must be on the last page, not the cover
→ Check the signature line before mailing
Document translation
Foreign documents need certified translation
→ Missing translation leads to RFE
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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