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Official form guide
Form I-193: Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-193 is the Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa, filed by individuals who need a waiver to travel without a passport or visa. The filing fee is $695.00 and is non‑refundable.
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USCIS Form I-193 - Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-193 is the Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa, filed by individuals who need a waiver to travel without a passport or visa. The filing fee is $695.00 and is non‑refundable.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A bounced check invalidates the waiver request and adds a $30 penalty.
- 2Submitting the application without the required $695.00 fee.
- 3Paying the fee with cash instead of an accepted check, money order, or credit card where allowed.
- 4Leaving the applicant’s signature line blank on the certification.
- 5Omitting the reason for not possessing the passport or visa in line 10.
Plain English
Form I-193 lets a person ask the Department of Homeland Security for a waiver when they do not have a passport or visa. You fill in personal details, explain why the document is missing, pay a $695 fee, and sign the form.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Not stated in the official source.
- 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 this form when you need a waiver to travel without a passport or visa.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Applicant lacks a passport or visa and needs a waiver
The form title indicates it is the required waiver application
✓ Confirm the form title reads "APPLICATION FOR WAIVER OF PASSPORT AND/OR VISA"
Applicant is filing the waiver from Guam
Payment must be made to the local payee as instructed
✓ Verify the check or money order payee is "Treasurer, Guam"
Applicant is filing the waiver from the U.S. Virgin Islands
Payment must be made to the designated local authority
✓ Verify the check or money order payee is "Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands"
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
MY NAME IS
Applicant’s full legal name · Form field
MY UNITED STATES DESTINATION IS
Destination address in the U.S. · Form field
THE REASON I AM NOT IN POSSESSION OF PASSPORT VISA IS
Written explanation of why passport/visa missing · Form field (reverse side)
DATE OF THIS APPLICATION
Current date (MM/DD/YYYY) · Form field
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT
Applicant’s handwritten signature · Form field
Before you submit
- 1Enter your full legal name in the MY NAME IS section.
- 2Provide the exact U.S. destination address.
- 3State the reason you lack a passport or visa in the designated section.
- 4Write the current date in DATE OF THIS APPLICATION.
- 5Prepare a check or money order for $695.00 payable to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- 6If filing from Guam, make the check payable to “Treasurer, Guam.”
- 7If filing from the U.S. Virgin Islands, make the check payable to “Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.”
- 8Sign the form in the SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT line.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on Form I-193.
- 2Attach the $695.00 fee payment as a check or money order.
- 3Include any supporting explanation for the waiver.
- 4Sign the form where indicated.
- 5Mail the package to the appropriate DHS filing location.
Known limitations
- 1The filing fee is $695.00 and must be paid for this application
- 2The $695.00 fee cannot be refunded regardless of the action taken on the application
- 3Cash payments are not accepted; do not mail cash
- 4All fees must be submitted in the exact amount
- 5All personal checks and money orders must be drawn on a United States bank and payable in United States currency
- 6A $30.00 charge is imposed if a check payment is not honored, and the application becomes invalid
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.
Details
1 items
The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents supporting this application.
Signatures
2 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
MM/DD/YYYY.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The form shows OMB No. 1651‑0107 expires 09/30/2024 and is dated 03/24, indicating the current edition is the March 2024 version.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form is dated 03/24 and OMB expiration is 09/30/2024.
- Fee — confirm the filing fee is $695.00 and is non‑refundable.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — confirm both the applicant and the preparer (if any) sign where indicated.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of the completed Form I-193 and payment receipt.
- 2Store the copy for at least 6 months in case of follow‑up.
- 3Await a written decision from DHS; processing time is not specified.
- 4If the decision is a waiver granted, retain the approval notice.
- 5If an error is discovered, submit a corrected Form I-193 with a new fee.
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — OMB No. 1651-0107 Expires 09/30/2024 indicates edition expiration.
- SRCForm p.1 — title APPLICATION FOR WAIVER OF PASSPORT AND/OR VISA provides purpose.
- SRCForm p.2 — Fee: A fee of $695.00 must be paid for filing this application.
- SRCForm p.2 — The fee cannot be refunded regardless of the action taken on the application.
- SRCForm p.2 — Checks from Guam payable to “Treasurer, Guam.”
- SRCForm p.2 — Checks from U.S. Virgin Islands payable to “Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.”
- SRCForm p.2 — A charge of $30.00 will be imposed if a check in payment of a fee is not honored.
- SRCForm p.2 — When a check is drawn on the account of a person other than the applicant, the name of the applicant must be entered on the face of the check.
- SRCForm p.2 — If the application is submitted from outside the United States, remittance may be made by a bank international money order or foreign draft payable in United States currency.
- SRCForm p.1 — Signature of applicant and signature of person preparing form, if other than applicant.
Common confusion points
Can I mail cash for the $695 fee?
The instructions explicitly say do not mail cash, leading to uncertainty.
→ Verify that payment is a check, money order, or an accepted credit card.
Do I need to write the applicant’s name on a third‑party check?
The form states the applicant’s name must appear on the face of the check.
→ Ensure the applicant’s name is printed on the check.
Is a foreign‑issued check acceptable?
All personal checks must be drawn on a U.S. financial institution and payable in U.S. currency.
→ Use a check from a U.S. bank.
Will I get my $695 fee back if the waiver is denied?
The fee is described as non‑refundable regardless of the outcome.
→ Acknowledge that the fee is non‑refundable before submitting.
Can I pay with a credit card at any filing location?
Only some filing locations accept credit cards; the form advises to inquire.
→ Contact the specific filing location to confirm credit‑card acceptance.
What payee should I use on the check when filing from Guam?
The instructions specify a unique payee for Guam filings.
→ Write "Treasurer, Guam" on the check.
What payee should I use on the check when filing from the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The instructions specify a unique payee for Virgin Islands filings.
→ Write "Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands" on the check.
What happens if my check is not honored?
A $30.00 charge is imposed and the application is rendered invalid.
→ Ensure sufficient funds to avoid a dishonored check and the $30 penalty.
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Questions about USCIS Form I-193
What is USCIS Form I-193 used for?
Form I-193 lets a person ask the Department of Homeland Security for a waiver when they do not have a passport or visa. You fill in personal details, explain why the document is missing, pay a $695 fee, and sign the form.
Who must file USCIS Form I-193?
The applicant who needs a waiver of a passport and/or visa files Form I-193.
What information does USCIS Form I-193 require?
The form collects the applicant’s name, U.S. destination address, permanent foreign address, citizenship, birth details, arrival date and port, travel method, previous visa and passport information, and the reason for not possessing the passport or visa.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-193?
Complete lines 1 through 10 with the required personal and travel information, then sign the certification line. If another person prepares the form, they also sign the preparer’s declaration. Attach a check or money order for $695 payable to U.S. Customs and Border Protection or Department of Homeland Security. Mail the completed form and payment to the appropriate DHS filing location.
What happens if USCIS Form I-193 is filed incorrectly?
If a check payment is not honored, a $30 charge applies and the application becomes invalid, and the $695 filing fee is never refunded.
Can I mail cash for the $695 fee?
The instructions explicitly say do not mail cash, leading to uncertainty. Verify that payment is a check, money order, or an accepted credit card.
Do I need to write the applicant’s name on a third‑party check?
The form states the applicant’s name must appear on the face of the check. Ensure the applicant’s name is printed on the check.
Is a foreign‑issued check acceptable?
All personal checks must be drawn on a U.S. financial institution and payable in U.S. currency. Use a check from a U.S. bank.
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