I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended)

• Download Form I-612 (948KB PDF)
• Download Instructions for Form I-612 (168KB PDF)

Purpose of Form :

For certain exchange visitors (J-1 and J-2 visas) and their families to apply for a waiver of the requirement that they reside outside the United States for at least two years prior to returning or leaving the United States.

Number of Pages :

Form 2; Instructions 4.

Edition Date :

11/23/10; (08/10/09 edition also accepted)

Note on Expiration: USCIS continues to accept the 11/23/10 edition of Form I-612 available here despite the passing of the form's expiration date. An updated form will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Where to File :

If you are filing Form I-612 for either of the following two reasons:

1. Exceptional hardship to the exchange visitor’s U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or child; or

2. The exchange visitor’s belief that returning to the country of his or her nationality or last residence would subject him or her to persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion.

File your form I-612 with the California Service Center:

Via US Postal Service to:

USCIS California Service Center
I-612 Unit P.O. Box 30112
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0112

Via courier service to:

USCIS California Service Center
24000 Avila Road
2nd floor, room 2312
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

If you are filing Form I-612 for one of the following reasons:

1. A request by an interested U.S. Government agency (IGA); or

2. A written statement from your country of nationality or last foreign residence that it has no objection to the waiver (no objection); or

3. A request from a state’s department of public health, or its equivalent, to the Department of State (DOS) to work in a medically underserved area. (Conrad Waiver Program)

Information on how to apply can be found at the following location: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html

Filing Fee :

$585

Special Instructions :

Note on where to file:  The where to file information on the form’s instructions are incorrect.  Use the filing information provided above.  Updated filing instructions will be provided as soon as possible.

Do not send Change of Address Requests to the USCIS Lockbox facilities.

This page can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/i-612