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Official form guide
Form I-612: Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-612 is an Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement, allowing J‑1 and J‑2 exchange visitors subject to the INA 212(e) two‑year home‑residence rule to seek a waiver.
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USCIS Form I-612 - Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-612 is an Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement, allowing J‑1 and J‑2 exchange visitors subject to the INA 212(e) two‑year home‑residence rule to seek a waiver.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Missing the required biometric appointment can lead to denial of the waiver.
- 2Failing to attend a biometric services appointment, which can cause denial of the application.
- 3Omitting the applicant’s signature or the preparer’s signature where required.
- 4Not providing passport or travel‑document numbers, even if the document is expired.
- 5Leaving the interpreter section blank when an interpreter was used.
Plain English
Form I-612 lets certain J‑1 and J‑2 exchange visitors ask the government to lift the two‑year home‑country stay they must complete before applying for a visa. If approved, they can pursue immigrant, adjustment, or change‑of‑status applications without waiting.
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 an exchange visitor (J‑1) seeks a waiver of the two‑year foreign residence requirement based on exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or children.
- Do not use it when a J‑2 spouse or child was actually a J‑1 exchange visitor, because they must submit a separate application.
- Check Form I-94 instead when you need to provide a copy of your arrival/departure record.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need fee details for I-612
Provides exact fee amounts for the waiver
✓ Verify fee amount on Form G-1055 before you continue
Need to replace a lost Form I-94
Used to request a replacement I-94 record
✓ Ensure Form I-102 is completed before you continue
Need fee info for a replacement I-94
Lists fees for Form I-102 replacement request
✓ Confirm fee on Form G-1055 before proceeding
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Country of Citizenship or Nationality
Country name or “stateless” explanation · Passport or personal statement
Passport copy
Complete copy of all passport pages · Physical passport
Form I-94 number and expiration date
I-94 record number and expiry date · I-94 document or CBP website
USCIS Online Account Number (OAN)
OAN from receipt number starting IOE · USCIS account profile or Account Access Notice
Interpreter's Contact Information
Telephone, email, mobile number · Interpreter's business card
Before you submit
- 1Sign the certification statement on the form.
- 2Include a complete copy of all passport pages, not the original.
- 3Attach your Form I-94 number and expiration date, or a Form I-102 if you need a replacement.
- 4Provide the name of your country of citizenship or write “stateless” with an explanation if applicable.
- 5Gather all evidence listed in the “What Evidence Must You Submit” sections.
- 6Verify the filing address on www.uscis.gov/I-612 before mailing.
- 7If a biometric services appointment is required, be prepared to sign the oath at the appointment.
- 8Enter your OAN in Part 4 if you have a receipt number that begins with IOE.
How to file this form
- 1Complete the form using the latest edition (04/01/24) and fill all required fields.
- 2Gather required supporting documents (passport copy, I-94, citizenship proof, and other evidence).
- 3Sign the certification statement on the form.
- 4Mail the package to the filing address listed on the USCIS website (www.uscis.gov/I-612).
- 5Retain the mailing receipt or electronic confirmation as proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1Foreign medical physicians who acquired J‑1 status on or after January 10, 1977 for graduate medical education cannot receive a No Objection Waiver (Instructions p.2).
- 2Do not mail the completed Form I-612 to the address shown on page 7 (Instructions p.7).
- 3If you do not have a receipt number beginning with IOE, you cannot provide a USCIS Online Account Number (Instructions p.4).
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).
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The instructions show a revision date of 04/01/24 (Draft Not for Production 12/19/2023). The page directs filers to the USCIS website for the most current filing address.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads 04/01/24 (Instructions p.3).
- Fee — refer to Form G-1055 for the exact amount (Instructions p.3).
- Mailing address — do not mail the completed form to the address on page 7 (Instructions p.7).
- Signature — must sign the certification statement on the form (Form p.5).
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a signed copy of Form I-612 and all supporting documents for your records.
- 2Retain all supporting documents for at least five years.
- 3Watch for a biometric services appointment notice and attend if required.
- 4Respond promptly to any USCIS requests for additional information.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.2 — foreign medical physicians with J‑1 after Jan 10 1977 for graduate medical education cannot receive a No Objection Waiver.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — revision date 04/01/24 appears on the header.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — filing fee information is referenced to Form G-1055.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — USCIS may require a biometric services appointment and will send a notice.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — USCIS Online Account Number only if receipt number begins with IOE.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — Country of Citizenship or Nationality must be provided; write “stateless” if none.
- SRCInstructions p.5 — submit a complete copy of all passport pages, not the original.
- SRCInstructions p.5 — provide Form I-94 number and expiration date; can obtain paper I-94 from cbp.gov/i94 or replace via Form I-102.
- SRCInstructions p.5 — filing address information is on www.uscis.gov/I-612.
- SRCInstructions p.7 — do not mail completed Form I-612 to the address listed on that page.
Common confusion points
Do I need to mail my original passport?
The instructions say submit a copy, not the original, which can be misread.
→ Confirm you are sending only a photocopy of all passport pages.
Do I have to provide a USCIS Online Account Number?
Only required if you have a receipt number beginning with IOE.
→ Check your receipt number; if it does not start with IOE, leave the field blank.
Can foreign medical physicians use a No Objection Waiver?
Instructions note they cannot if J‑1 was obtained on or after Jan 10 1977 for medical training.
→ Verify your J‑1 category and date; if applicable, seek an alternative waiver.
Where should I send the completed form?
The address on page 7 is for the office, not for filing.
→ Visit www.uscis.gov/I-612 for the correct filing address.
What fee should I pay?
Fees are listed on Form G‑1055, not in the instructions.
→ Review Form G‑1055 for the current fee amount.
Do I need to attend a biometric appointment?
USCIS may require it, but not all applicants receive one.
→ Check your notice; if you receive one, attend and sign the oath.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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Questions about USCIS Form I-612
What is USCIS Form I-612 used for?
Form I-612 lets certain J‑1 and J‑2 exchange visitors ask the government to lift the two‑year home‑country stay they must complete before applying for a visa. If approved, they can pursue immigrant, adjustment, or change‑of‑status applications without waiting.
Who must file USCIS Form I-612?
J‑1 and J‑2 exchange visitors who are subject to the two‑year foreign residence requirement must file USCIS Form I-612.
What information does USCIS Form I-612 require?
The form gathers the applicant’s name, A‑Number, USCIS Online Account Number (if any), country of citizenship, passport or travel‑document numbers, and any interpreter or preparer details, plus signatures.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-612?
File the application to the address listed on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/I-612, which provides the current filing location.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-612?
Type or print legibly in black ink and complete all required parts, using Part 8 for extra information. Provide personal identifiers, citizenship, and passport details. If an interpreter is used, the interpreter must fill out their section, sign, and date the form. The applicant and any preparer must sign the declaration, and attend any biometric appointment to sign the oath.
What happens if USCIS Form I-612 is filed incorrectly?
If the required biometric services appointment is missed, USCIS may deny the waiver application.
Do I need to mail my original passport?
The instructions say submit a copy, not the original, which can be misread. Confirm you are sending only a photocopy of all passport pages.
Do I have to provide a USCIS Online Account Number?
Only required if you have a receipt number beginning with IOE. Check your receipt number; if it does not start with IOE, leave the field blank.
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