How much does Form I-612 cost?

USCIS charges no filing fee for Form I-612.

How long does Form I-612 take?

Typically 4 to 12 months, depending on the office and the category. Check the current USCIS times for your office before you plan around it.

Travel/Status

Form I-612

Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement

Used by J-1 exchange visitors to request a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement (Section 212(e) of the INA).

Filing fee: No fee
Biometrics: No fee
Typical processing: 4 to 12 months; Current USCIS times for I-612

Who can file

J-1 exchange visitors subject to the two-year home residency requirement
Must demonstrate eligibility through one of the waiver bases

Send with it

DS-2019 forms
Evidence supporting the waiver basis (persecution, hardship, no objection statement, etc.)
Interested Government Agency (IGA) request if applicable

Worth knowing

There are several bases for the waiver: no objection, persecution, exceptional hardship, IGA request
A "no objection" statement from your home country is often the easiest path
The waiver must be processed through the State Department waiver review division
You cannot change to most other statuses until the 2-year requirement is waived or fulfilled

Common mistakes

Not realizing you are subject to the 2-year requirement
Applying to change status without first obtaining the waiver
Not checking all possible waiver bases

Questions

How much does Form I-612 cost?: USCIS charges no filing fee for Form I-612.
How long does Form I-612 take?: Typically 4 to 12 months, depending on the office and the category. Check the current USCIS times for your office before you plan around it.

Related forms

Fees are as published by USCIS. Confirm on USCIS's fee schedule (G-1055) before you pay - a wrong fee gets a filing rejected. General information, not legal advice.