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Waivers and appeals

I-612: Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement

Form I-612 asks to waive the 2-year home country rule for some J-1 exchange visitors. It is filed based on exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or resident spouse or child, or persecution. Other J-1 waiver types start with the State Department.

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Typical steps of an I-612

  1. Receipt notice
  2. Review by an officer
  3. Request for evidence (if needed)
  4. Decision
  5. Approval notice mailed

Official USCIS form page ↗

How long does it take?

22 to 25 months

USCIS published processing times (median to 93% of cases). Typical ranges, never an exact date.

Intake

Case Was ReceivedCase Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was SentCase Rejected Because I Sent An Incorrect FeeCase Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was EmailedCase Accepted By The USCIS LockboxFees Were WaivedCase Was Rejected Because It Was Improperly Filed

Biometrics

Fingerprint Fee Was ReceivedFingerprint Review Was CompletedBiometrics Appointment Was ScheduledCase Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken

Review

Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCISCase Was ReopenedCorrespondence Was Received And USCIS Is Reviewing It

Evidence (RFE/NOID)

Request for Additional Evidence Was SentRequest For Initial Evidence Was SentResponse To USCIS' Request For Evidence Was ReceivedResponse To USCIS' Notice of Intent Was Received

Interview and oath

Case Was Updated To Show That No One Appeared for In-Person Processing

Decision

Case Was ApprovedDocument Was Mailed To MeCase Was DeniedCase Was Approved And My Decision Was EmailedCase Approval Was Certified By USCIS

Closed case

Withdrawal Acknowledgement Notice Was SentTermination Notice SentCase Closed Benefit Received By Other Means

Administrative

Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has JurisdictionNotice Explaining USCIS Actions Was MailedExpedite Request ReceivedName Was UpdatedDuplicate Notice Was MailedNotice Was Returned To USCIS Because The Post Office Could Not Deliver ItDate of Birth Was UpdatedContinuation Notice Was MailedExpedite Request Denied

Frequently asked questions

What is Form I-612?

Form I-612 asks to waive the 2-year home country rule for some J-1 exchange visitors. It is filed based on exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or resident spouse or child, or persecution. Other J-1 waiver types start with the State Department.

How long does an I-612 take?

The typical range published by USCIS is 22 to 25 months. It is not an exact date.

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AI-assisted explanation based on the official USCIS status, reviewed by CaseAlerta. Not legal advice. Times are typical ranges, never an exact date.