I-601 Waiver for Inadmissibility Grounds

Many individuals are not aware that if they have been in the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa stay in the U.S. over a 6 month period and then departed that they are inadmissible to the U.S. for a period of 3 years or 10 years depending on the length of time they were in the U.S. illegally or overstayed the visa period.

This means that even a U.S. citizen who wishes to file for permanent residency (green card) for his or her spouse who has been living in the U.S. illegally or who has overstayed his or her visa by 6 months or more and then departed, may not be able to complete the process in the U.S.  The spouse may have to return to his or her home country to complete the process and will be required to file a waiver.

Also, if the individual seeking permanent residency has committed certain criminal offenses, fraud or misrepresentation, the I-601 waiver may be required.

This is  a complicated process that must be handled by an experienced immigration attorney.