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4 Immigration Waiver Tips To Increase Your Success Rate

Here are 4 immigration waiver tips to improve your success rate and avoid delays for your immigration application. If you are applying for an immigrant visa, green card or other immigration application, you may sometimes need a waiver.

What is a Waiver?

A waiver is an application asking the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to forgive a problem that would stop you from getting a green card, visa, or to stop deportation. It is a very useful immigration tool and as a result, it is important to submit a well-prepared waiver application.

Different Waivers for Different Immigration Problems

There are different waivers for different immigration problems including overstay, fraud, misrepresentation, criminal convictions, alien smuggling, sham marriages, illegal entries, inadmissibility, unlawful presence and more. There are also different application forms and procedures for these waivers.

Here are some important tips for any type of waiver you need for your green card, citizenship, or other immigration case:

Apply For Your Waiver at the Right Time

The right time to apply for a waiver is different according to the type of case and when the problem arises. You may need to apply for your waiver with your application, during the process or sometimes even after your immigration application process starts.

Your immigration application may be denied if you do not file for your waiver within the deadline.

Also, filing late can sometimes delay your immigration application where the USCIS will not continue processing the application until they receive the complete waiver petition.

The USCIS may have a timeframe or deadline for when you should apply for a waiver so it is important to review their instructions, if there are any. If there is no clear timeframe, speak to your attorney about the best time to apply.

Apply for the right waiver for your case

Apply for the right waiver and use the correct application form for your case. Don’t apply for your waiver because of what your friend used in his case. Remember that every case is different, and one small reason can make your case very different in the eyes of the USCIS. If your waiver form has multiple boxes for different waivers, do check the right box.

    Make sure you qualify for the waiver

    To find out if you qualify, first answer the following questions:

    • Have you been convicted of a disqualifying crime? (Some crimes will disqualify you from a waiver)
    • Are you applying within the proper filing timeframe? 
    • Have you applied for that waiver before? If you have applied for that waiver before, check with your attorney to see if you can apply for it a second time. 
    • Can you satisfy the USCIS requirements in the application instructions?

    If you have a criminal history or bad record, lying about it or ignoring it may make the problem worse. It is sometimes better to show that you are sorry and have changed your criminal or bad behavior.

    Submit the Required Documents

    You need to submit the required documents and necessary information you need for your type of waiver. Submitting the proper supporting documents or required information. with your application will reduce delays and denials of your application. 

    Show the USCIS that you deserve a Waiver

    Your most important job is to show the USCIS that you deserve a favorable decision for your application and give them a good reason to say “yes” and not “no”. This is because a waiver approval is discretionary. This means that even if you meet the requirements, the immigration officer or judge can still to say no to your request.

    Finally, get legal help or advice.

    Get help, or legal advice at the very least, from an experienced immigration lawyer who can review your case and give you advice. For example, your lawyer can tell you about the right waiver for your problem, the type of documents you should include and the best way to present your case to the USCIS. They know what the immigration officers look for and how to direct them to what is best about your case.

    With these tips listed above you will improve your chances of a successful waiver for your immigration application and move closer to a happy conclusion of your case.

    Thank you for reading this article. If you have questions about your waiver or need our help, please contact our immigration lawyer, Attorney Doreen at (626) 256 8500. www.emenikelaw.com

    Read more: Marriage Fraud Waivers and How They Can Help

    Related reading: Keeping Your Green Card After Marriage Fraud or Misrepresentation With a 237 (a)1)(H) waiver

    About the author

    Doreen Emenike is an immigration lawyer with over 20 years of experience. She helps people live in the U.S. legally and works at the Law Offices of Doreen A. Emenike.

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