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Official form guide
Form I-602: Application by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-602 is the Application by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds. It must be signed and dated; a stamped or typewritten name will cause rejection.
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USCIS Form I-602 - Application by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-602 is the Application by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds. It must be signed and dated; a stamped or typewritten name will cause rejection.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting Form I-602 without a valid handwritten signature will cause rejection.
- 2Submitting the form without a handwritten signature or with a stamped name.
- 3Failing to provide certified court documents for any listed convictions.
- 4Omitting the applicant’s daytime, mobile, or email contact information in Part 5.
- 5Leaving the interpreter section blank when an interpreter was used.
Plain English
Form I-602 lets a refugee or asylee ask USCIS to waive a ground that makes them inadmissible to the United States. You fill in personal details, attach supporting documents, and sign the form. The application is sent to the filing location indicated by USCIS. A missing or invalid signature will cause the form to be rejected.
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 are a refugee or asylee seeking admission to the United States or applying for lawful permanent residence and need a waiver of inadmissibility grounds.
- Do not use it when you are not a refugee or asylee seeking admission or lawful permanent residence.
- Check Form G-1055 instead when you need to determine the filing fee for Form I-602.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need fee details for Form I-602
Provides the specific filing fee amount for the waiver application
✓ Confirm the fee matches the current schedule
In an Immigration Court proceeding
Application must be filed with the court handling the case
✓ Verify court filing instructions are followed
Subject to removal proceedings
Initiates removal and requires proper notice to appear
✓ Ensure you are using the correct form for removal
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Full Legal Name
Identity document or legal name change document · Passport, birth certificate, court order
Place of Birth
Birth certificate or equivalent · Birth certificate
Mailing Address
Current mailing address details · Personal records
Date of Birth
Birth certificate or official record · Birth certificate
Country of Citizenship or Nationality
Passport or stateless explanation · Passport, stateless explanation
Current Status
Proof of refugee or asylee status (e.g., I-94, approval notice) · USCIS approval notice
Conviction Records
Certified court documents of convictions · Court records
Before you submit
- 1Verify all required fields in Part 1 are completed.
- 2Ensure the full legal name matches identity documents.
- 3Provide certified copies of any conviction records.
- 4Attach proof of refugee or asylee status.
- 5Sign the form with a handwritten signature.
- 6Date the form in mm/dd/yyyy format.
- 7Confirm fee payment as indicated on Form G-1055.
- 8Check that the mailing address is accurate.
- 9Review that the current status selection is correct.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on Form I-602.
- 2Gather and attach supporting documents, including certified conviction records and refugee status proof.
- 3Pay the filing fee as specified on Form G-1055.
- 4Sign and date the application with a handwritten signature.
- 5Submit the form to the filing address indicated on the USCIS website or to the appropriate Immigration Court if in proceedings.
- 6Retain the receipt or acknowledgment (OAN) as proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1The form does not apply to non‑refugee or non‑asylee inadmissibility waivers (Purpose statement, Instructions p.1).
- 2Applicants under 14 years old require a parent or legal guardian signature (Signature rules, Instructions p.2).
- 3Do not mail the completed Form I-602 to the OMB address; use the USCIS website or court address (Instructions p.9).
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->The instructions show a revision date of 01/20/25 and direct filers to www.uscis.gov/i-602 for the most current filing information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the instruction revision date reads 01/20/25 (Instructions p.1).
- Fee — refer to Form G-1055 for the specific filing fee (Instructions p.2).
- Mailing address — check the USCIS website for the current filing address; do not use the OMB address (Instructions p.9).
- Signature — ensure a handwritten signature is present; stamped or typewritten names are rejected (Instructions p.2).
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a complete copy of the signed Form I-602 and all attachments.
- 2Store the OAN or receipt notice as proof of filing.
- 3Monitor case status through your USCIS online account.
- 4Respond promptly to any USCIS Requests for Evidence.
- 5If a signature is rejected, submit a corrected form with a valid handwritten signature.
- 6Retain all records for at least five years after the final decision.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — purpose: waiver for refugees or asylees seeking admission or LPR.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — signature must be handwritten; stamped or typewritten names are rejected.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — parent or legal guardian may sign for applicants under 14 years of age.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — fee information located on Form G-1055.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — required fields: full legal name, place of birth, mailing address, date of birth, country of citizenship, current status.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — certified court documents required for conviction records.
- SRCInstructions p.8 — filing address found on www.uscis.gov/i-602; file with Immigration Court if proceeding.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — do not mail completed Form I-602 to the OMB address.
Common confusion points
Do I need to file this form if I’m not a refugee?
The form’s purpose is limited to refugees or asylees seeking a waiver.
→ Confirm you are a refugee or asylee before using Form I-602.
Can I type my name instead of signing?
Signatures must be handwritten; typewritten names are rejected.
→ Check that you have a handwritten signature on the form.
Where do I send the form?
Filing address varies; the website provides the current address and you must not use the OMB address.
→ Verify the filing address on www.uscis.gov/i-602.
What fee do I pay?
Fee details are not listed in the instructions; they are on Form G-1055.
→ Consult Form G-1055 for the current filing fee.
Do I need to include a copy of my passport?
Only documents listed in the specific instructions are required; a passport is not mandatory unless it serves as identity proof.
→ Include only the documents requested in the instructions.
Do I need to certify conviction records?
Uncertified copies of convictions are insufficient.
→ Provide certified court documents for any conviction records.
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Questions about USCIS Form I-602
What is USCIS Form I-602 used for?
Form I-602 lets a refugee or asylee ask USCIS to waive a ground that makes them inadmissible to the United States. You fill in personal details, attach supporting documents, and sign the form. The application is sent to the filing location indicated by USCIS. A missing or invalid signature will cause the form to be rejected.
Who must file USCIS Form I-602?
Refugees or asylees who need a waiver of inadmissibility grounds must file USCIS Form I-602.
What information does USCIS Form I-602 require?
The form collects the applicant’s date of birth (Item 8), country of citizenship (Item 9), current refugee or asylee status (Item 10), contact information, and any supporting documents; it also includes Part 5 for the applicant’s signature, Part 6 for an interpreter’s certification, Part 7 for a preparer’s certification, and Part 8 for additional information.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-602?
If you are in Immigration Court proceedings, file the application with the appropriate Immigration Court. Otherwise, follow the filing address listed on the USCIS website for Form I-602.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-602?
Enter personal data in Item Numbers 8‑10, then attach certified copies of any supporting documents such as court records. Complete Part 5 with your contact details and sign and date the form; a parent or legal guardian may sign if you are under 14 or mentally incompetent. If an interpreter was used, have them fill and sign Part 6; if someone else prepared the form, have them sign Part 7. Add any extra statements in Part 8, then file according to the location rules.
What happens if USCIS Form I-602 is filed incorrectly?
If the application is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, USCIS will reject the application.
Do I need to file this form if I’m not a refugee?
The form’s purpose is limited to refugees or asylees seeking a waiver. Confirm you are a refugee or asylee before using Form I-602.
Can I type my name instead of signing?
Signatures must be handwritten; typewritten names are rejected. Check that you have a handwritten signature on the form.
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