Form I-602 | Application By Refugee For Waiver of Grounds of Excludability

Form I-602 | Application By Refugee For Waiver of Grounds of Excludability

Purpose of Form

In most cases, the US is ready to let refugees in our state if the conditions in their home countries are difficult or hazardous. However, there is also a common problem that refugees can be inadmissible according to our legislation. For example, some of them can have dangerous diseases, while others can be inadmissible because of criminal convictions. Fortunately, there is a possibility to bypass this prohibition. 

Special Instructions

If you want to cancel this prohibition, you should fill the appropriate form, which is also known as USCIS Form I-602 (Application By Refugee For Waiver of Grounds of Excludability). Nevertheless, you should understand that this exception has to be reasonable and well-justified. So, you should prove that this decision has to be made according to the national interest, for example, or humanitarian reasons.

Where to File

If Then

You have filed a Form I-590, and USCIS has interviewed you and has notified you that you are inadmissible and a waiver is available  

Contact the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) that helped you prepare your Form I-590 for instructions on how to file the Form I-602.

 

You are filing your Form I-602 at the same time your petitioner files Form I-730 

 

Send Form I-602 to the same USCIS office that processes your Form I-730. Go to the Form I-730 page to see where you should file your application.  

You reside outside the United States and a Form I- 730 has already been filed on your behalf 

Send Form I-602 to the USCIS international field office with jurisdiction over your residence. 

You are in the United States and your Form I-730 has already been filed on your behalf 

 

Send Form I-602 to the USCIS office that is currently adjudicating your Form I-730. 

You are filing Form I-602 together with your Form I-485 

Send your forms to the same USCIS office that processes your Form I-485. Go to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485 page to see where you should file your application.   

You are filing Form I-602 after your Form I-485 has been filed

Send your Form I-602 to the USCIS office that is currently adjudicating your Form I-485. 

Common filing mistakes

  • Using an outdated USCIS edition of the form.
  • Leaving required fields blank or mixing typed and handwritten answers inconsistently.
  • Forgetting the signature, supporting evidence, or the correct filing fee.

Official USCIS Update

USCIS can change filing addresses, fees, and accepted editions without notice. Use the official links below before filing.

Current edition: 01/20/25

Verified: 2026-05-21

Filing fee: You can find the filing fee for Form I-602 by visiting our Fee Schedule page

Open USCIS form page
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Comments

2 voices

Keenan
Keenan July 19, 2019

Can I submit this form for free?

usa-immigrations
usa-immigrations July 21, 2019

Reply for Keenan

Yes, the fee for submitting the form i-602 is $0

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