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What Happens After the I-601A Waiver Gets Approved?
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What Happens After the I-601A Waiver Gets Approved?
The I-601A waiver, also known as the provisional unlawful presence waiver, allows certain immigrants who are seeking lawful permanent resident (LPR) status or green cards to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility due to unlawful presence while still in the United States. This waiver helps reduce the time an immigrant would otherwise have to spend outside the U.S. waiting for their green card application to be processed.
So what happens after the I-601A waiver gets approved by USCIS? Here is a step-by-step overview:
Receive Packet from U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Once USCIS approves the I-601A waiver, they will notify the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will then communicate this approval to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Within about 1-2 days after USCIS approval, you should receive a packet of information from the embassy/consulate via mail carrier DHL. This packet will provide instructions on scheduling a new immigrant visa interview at the consulate [1].
Schedule Immigrant Visa Interview
Following the instructions in the packet from the embassy/consulate, you will need to schedule an interview appointment. This is usually done online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. The interview date tends to be scheduled 2-3 months after the packet is received [2].
Complete Medical Examination
Another requirement before the interview is to complete a medical examination at an approved facility. The examination must occur at a facility approved by the U.S. embassy/consulate in your home country. You will receive the results in a sealed envelope to present at your interview [3].
Attend Visa Interview
Once you have completed the medical examination, you will attend the visa interview at the date, time, and location scheduled. You must bring all required documents as outlined in the packet from the embassy/consulate. This includes your current valid passport, medical examination results, and originals or certified copies of any civil documents (birth/marriage certificates, etc.). The consular officer will review your eligibility for the immigrant visa and may ask you questions to confirm details about your case [4].
Receive Immigrant Visa
If approved, the consular officer will issue you an immigrant visa by stamping your passport. They will also give you a sealed packet called the “Immigrant Visa Packet” which you must present to immigration authorities when you enter the U.S [5]. This packet contains important documents related to your LPR status.
Enter U.S. as Lawful Permanent Resident
Finally, you will travel back to the U.S. to complete processing for your green card. You must enter within 4 months from the date of your medical examination. At the port of entry, you will present the sealed Immigrant Visa Packet along with your stamped passport. The immigration officer will open the packet to confirm your documents are in order. They will also stamp your passport with an I-551 temporary stamp evidencing your LPR status, valid for 12 months. Within 2-3 weeks you should receive your permanent green card in the mail [6].
It’s important to keep in mind that approval of the I-601A waiver does not guarantee you will receive a green card [7]. The consular officer still has to approve your visa application at the interview. Grounds of inadmissibility that were not waived could also still lead to a denial. But if everything goes smoothly, you will be on the path to becoming a lawful permanent resident!
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The process after an approved I-601A waiver may seem lengthy, but having the waiver approved is still a major milestone. With the help of an experienced immigration attorney, you can ensure you complete all requirements properly for the best chance at finally receiving your green card.