I-212 Permission to Reapply After Removal Guide

USCIS PERMISSION TO REAPPLY GUIDE

Complete Guide to Form I-212

A complete field-by-field guide to applying for permission to reapply for admission after deportation or removal, including INA 212(a)(9)(A), certain INA 212(a)(9)(C) cases, removal history, unlawful presence, reentry history, family ties, discretionary factors, CBP filing information and supporting evidence.

Before You Start: Identify Why Permission to Reapply Is Required

Form I-212 is used when prior removal, deportation, exclusion or certain unlawful reentry history makes advance permission to reapply for admission necessary. The exact rule depends on your immigration history.

Removal Records Prepare removal orders, immigration-court records, expedited removal documents and departure records.
Entry History Prepare all relevant U.S. entries, departures and attempted entries after removal or unlawful presence.
Family Ties Prepare information about U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident relatives.
Discretion Evidence Prepare evidence supporting rehabilitation, family ties, hardship and other favorable factors.
I-212 does not erase the underlying immigration history.

Approval gives consent to reapply for admission for the applicable inadmissibility ground. It does not automatically waive a separate criminal, fraud, unlawful-presence or other inadmissibility ground.

FORM I-212 — PART 1

Information About You

Alien Registration Number — A-Number

Enter your A-Number if one has been assigned. Use the number shown on your immigration or removal records.

A-123456789

Your Full Legal Name

Enter your Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name exactly according to your current legal identity records.

FAMILY NAME: JANSEN
GIVEN NAME: EMMA
MIDDLE NAME: SOPHIE

Other Names Used

List all other names you have ever used, including aliases, maiden names, former legal names and nicknames.

Do not omit a name that appears on an old visa, immigration file, arrest record or removal document.
FORM I-212 — PART 1

Mailing Address, Physical Address and Identity Information

Mailing Address

If you are outside the United States, provide a U.S. mailing address if available. If none is available, provide your foreign mailing address.

Is Your Mailing Address the Same as Your Physical Address?

YES Select when you currently live at the mailing address.
NO Provide your actual physical residence separately.

U.S. Social Security Number

Enter your U.S. Social Security Number if one has been issued.

USCIS Online Account Number

Enter your USCIS Online Account Number if one has been assigned.

Sex

MALE Select the applicable option.
FEMALE Select the applicable option.

Date and Place of Birth

Provide your date of birth, city or town of birth, state or province if applicable and country of birth.

Country of Citizenship or Nationality

Provide your current country of citizenship or nationality.

FORM I-212 — PART 1

Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status Information

Department of State Consular Case Number

IF FILING WITH AN IMMIGRANT OR NONIMMIGRANT VISA CASE

Provide the DOS consular case number if available.

U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Provide the city or town and country of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the visa application is being or will be processed.

Adjustment of Status Application

IF SEEKING CONSENT TO REAPPLY WITH FORM I-485

Provide the USCIS receipt number, filing location and filing date for the adjustment application.

FORM I-212 — PART 1

Form I-601 Information

Are You Submitting Form I-601 With Form I-212?

YES Select when Form I-601 is being filed together with this application.
NO If a prior I-601 was filed, provide its receipt number, filing location and filing date as requested.
I-212 and I-601 serve different purposes.

I-212 is consent to reapply after specified removal or reentry history. I-601 is a waiver application for qualifying grounds of inadmissibility. A case can sometimes require both.

FORM I-212 — PART 2

Reasons You Are Filing Form I-212

The form separates different inadmissibility grounds. Select the ground that actually matches your immigration history.

INA 212(a)(9)(A)(i)

Removal as an Arriving Alien

Were You Removed as an Arriving Alien?

This includes applicable expedited removal under INA 235(b)(1) or removal at the end of INA 240 proceedings as an arriving alien.

One Removal — Less Than Five Years Ago

Select the applicable box when you were removed only once as an arriving alien and the last removal occurred less than five years ago.

Two or More Removals

Select when you have been removed two or more times and your last removal was less than 20 years ago.

Aggravated Felony

Indicate if you were convicted of an aggravated felony in the United States or abroad before or after removal.

Aggravated felony is a legal immigration classification.

Do not decide whether an offense qualifies merely from the ordinary name of the crime.

Date and Location of Removal

Provide the removal date, city or town and state from which you were removed.

INA 212(a)(9)(A)(ii)

Removal as a Deportable Alien

Removal or Departure While Removal Order Was Outstanding

Select Yes when you were removed under INA 240 or another applicable provision, or departed while an order of removal was outstanding.

One Removal — Less Than Ten Years Ago

Select the applicable box when you have only one qualifying removal and it occurred less than ten years ago.

Multiple Removals — Less Than Twenty Years

Select when you were removed two or more times and your most recent removal occurred less than 20 years ago.

Aggravated Felony

Disclose applicable aggravated-felony convictions and provide the required information in Part 9.

Date and Location of Removal

Provide each relevant exclusion, deportation or removal date and the location from which you were removed.

INA 212(a)(9)(C)(i)(I)

Entry or Attempted Entry After More Than One Year of Aggregate Unlawful Presence

Did You Enter or Attempt to Enter Without Admission or Parole?

This section applies when, after accumulating more than one year of unlawful presence in the aggregate on or after April 1, 1997, you later entered or attempted to enter the United States without being admitted or paroled.

Periods of Unlawful Presence

List every applicable period of unlawful presence, beginning with the most recent. Include periods when you overstayed an authorized stay where those periods count under the law.

Departure After Unlawful Presence

Provide the date and location of the departure following the unlawful-presence period.

Reentry or Attempted Reentry

Provide the location and date of the later entry or attempted entry without admission or parole.

Ten years outside the United States is critical in many 212(a)(9)(C) cases.

The current form asks applicants under this ground to provide evidence that they remained outside the United States for ten years after the last departure before requesting consent to reapply, subject to the specific legal rules that apply.

INA 212(a)(9)(C)(i)(II)

Entry or Attempted Entry After Removal

Did You Enter or Attempt to Enter Without Admission After Removal?

YES Select when you entered or attempted to enter without being admitted or paroled after exclusion, deportation or removal.
NO Select only when this history does not apply.

All Prior Removal Dates

List every applicable date on which you were excluded, deported or removed.

Later Entry or Attempted Entry

Provide the city or town, state and date of the later entry or attempted entry.

FORM I-212 — PART 3

Reasons for Your Request for Permission to Reapply

What Immigration Status Will You Seek?

PERMANENT RESIDENT Select when seeking admission or adjustment as a lawful permanent resident.
VISITOR Select when the intended classification is visitor status.
STUDENT Select when the intended classification is student status.
OTHER Identify the actual immigration classification you intend to seek.

Explain Why You Want to Reenter the United States

Explain the genuine reason you are seeking permission to return. Connect the request to your immigration process, family ties, employment, education, or other actual circumstances.

EXAMPLE STRUCTURE:
I am requesting permission to reapply for admission so that I may complete my lawful immigrant visa process and reunite with my qualifying family in the United States.
Do not copy this example unless it accurately reflects your own case.
FORM I-212 — PART 3

U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Family Members

Relative's Full Legal Name

Provide the Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name of each relevant U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.

FAMILY NAME: DE VRIES
GIVEN NAME: JOHN
MIDDLE NAME: ALEXANDER

Relationship

State the actual relationship, such as spouse, parent, son, daughter or another family relationship.

Relative's Immigration Status

U.S. CITIZEN Select when the relative is a U.S. citizen.
LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT Select when the relative is an LPR.
FORM I-212 — PART 4

Biographic Information

Ethnicity

HISPANIC OR LATINOSelect if applicable.
NOT HISPANIC OR LATINOSelect if applicable.

Race

Select every race category that applies.

Height and Weight

Enter height in feet and inches and weight in pounds.

Eye Color and Hair Color

Select the applicable eye-color and hair-color options.

FORM I-212 — PART 5

Additional Information if Filing With CBP

Complete Part 5 only when your Form I-212 is being filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This section requests a much more detailed address, employment and marital history.

PART 5 — CBP

Physical Address History for the Last 10 Years

Current Physical Address

Begin with your current residence. Provide the full physical address and the dates you lived there.

Previous Physical Addresses

List every place you physically lived during the previous ten years, inside or outside the United States.

Keep the history chronological and avoid unexplained gaps. If exact dates are unavailable, use the closest accurate dates to the best of your knowledge.
PART 5 — CBP

Employment History for the Last 5 Years

Employer or Company Name

List your current or most recent employer first, then continue backward for the required five-year period.

Employer Address

Provide the employer's complete address, including city, state or province, postal code and country.

Occupation and Dates of Employment

State your occupation and the beginning and ending dates of the employment. Mark the current job appropriately where applicable.

PART 5 — CBP

Information About Your Current Marriage

Current Spouse's Full Legal Name

If currently married, provide the current spouse's complete legal name.

Current Spouse's A-Number

Provide the spouse's A-Number if one has been assigned.

Date of Birth and Date of Marriage

Provide the spouse's date of birth and your legal marriage date.

Spouse's Place of Birth

Provide city or town, state or province where applicable, and country of birth.

Place of Marriage

Provide the city or town, state or province and country where the current marriage took place.

PART 5 — CBP

Information About Prior Marriages

Prior Spouse's Legal Name

If previously married, provide the prior spouse's legal name, including the family name before marriage where requested.

Prior Spouse's Date of Birth

Provide the prior spouse's date of birth.

Date and Place of Marriage

Provide the date and location where the prior marriage took place.

Date and Place Marriage Legally Ended

Provide the legal termination date and location for divorce, annulment or another applicable termination.

If you had more than one prior marriage, continue the complete history in Part 9.
FORM I-212 — PART 6

Applicant Contact Information, Certification and Signature

Daytime Telephone Number

Provide your current daytime telephone number.

Mobile Telephone Number

Provide your mobile telephone number if applicable.

Email Address

Provide your current email address if applicable.

Applicant Certification

By signing, you certify under penalty of perjury that the responses and information submitted are complete, true and correct.

Applicant Signature and Date

Do not forget to sign.

An incomplete application or missing required documentation can result in denial.

FORM I-212 — PART 7

Interpreter Contact Information, Certification and Signature

Interpreter Full Name

Provide the interpreter's Family Name and Given Name.

Business or Organization

Provide the interpreter's business or organization name where applicable.

Telephone and Email

Provide the interpreter's daytime telephone, mobile number and email address where applicable.

Interpreter Certification

The interpreter certifies fluency in English and the language used to interpret the application, then signs and dates the section.

FORM I-212 — PART 8

Preparer Contact Information, Declaration and Signature

Preparer Full Name

Provide the preparer's Family Name and Given Name.

Business or Organization

Provide the preparer's business or organization name where applicable.

Telephone and Email

Provide daytime telephone, mobile telephone and email information where applicable.

Preparer Certification and Signature

The preparer certifies that the application was prepared at the applicant's request using information supplied or authorized by the applicant, then signs and dates the section.

FORM I-212 — PART 9

Additional Information

Applicant Name and A-Number

Provide your identifying information at the top of each additional-information page.

Page Number, Part Number and Item Number

Identify exactly which question each continuation or explanation relates to.

PAGE NUMBER: 3
PART NUMBER: 2
ITEM NUMBER: 14

Additional Sheets

If additional pages are necessary, place your name and A-Number at the top, identify the related page, part and item, and sign and date each additional sheet as required.

BEFORE FILING

Supporting Evidence and Final Checks

Removal and Deportation Records

Provide relevant removal orders, expedited removal records, immigration-court decisions, departure records and other documentation establishing your immigration history.

Entry and Departure Evidence

Where relevant, provide passport records, I-94 records, travel history, border records and evidence showing dates outside the United States.

Evidence of Ten Years Outside the United States

IF REQUIRED FOR YOUR INA 212(a)(9)(C) CASE

Provide reliable records demonstrating the applicable continuous period outside the United States after the relevant departure.

Criminal Records

Provide official police records and court records required by the instructions. The current instructions state that official police records from relevant countries generally must be recent enough to satisfy the filing requirements.

Evidence of Family Ties

Provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and other documents establishing relevant family relationships.

Evidence of Rehabilitation

Where applicable, provide evidence of rehabilitation, law-abiding conduct, treatment, community involvement and responsible conduct since the adverse immigration or criminal history.

Evidence of Hardship

Where hardship is a favorable discretionary factor, provide reliable medical, financial, family and other evidence showing the actual consequences of continued inadmissibility.

Other Favorable Discretionary Factors

USCIS or CBP weighs favorable and unfavorable circumstances. Provide evidence supporting genuine positive factors such as family ties, rehabilitation, length of lawful residence, employment, community ties and other circumstances relevant to your case.

Do not hide unfavorable facts.

Explain adverse immigration or criminal history accurately and address why favorable factors should outweigh the negative factors.

Legal Name Change Evidence

If your name changed, include applicable marriage certificates, divorce decrees, adoption decrees, naturalization records or court orders.

Foreign-Language Documents

Every foreign-language document submitted must include a complete English translation and the required translator certification.

Final Review Before Filing

Check at minimum:
A-Number
Full legal name
Every other name used
Mailing address
Physical address
Social Security Number if applicable
USCIS Online Account Number
Sex
Date and place of birth
Citizenship or nationality
DOS case number if applicable
Embassy or Consulate location
I-485 receipt information if applicable
I-601 filing information
Correct INA 212(a)(9)(A) or 212(a)(9)(C) basis
Every removal date
Every removal location
Aggravated felony information if applicable
Every unlawful-presence period
Departure after unlawful presence
Later unlawful entry or attempted entry
Requested immigration status
Reason for wanting to return
U.S. citizen and LPR relatives
Biographic information
CBP Part 5 if applicable
10-year address history for CBP filing
5-year employment history for CBP filing
Current marriage information for CBP filing
Prior marriage information for CBP filing
Applicant telephone and email
Applicant signature and date
Interpreter section if applicable
Preparer section if applicable
Additional-information pages
Removal and travel records
Criminal and police records
Family relationship evidence
Rehabilitation evidence
Discretionary evidence
Certified English translations
Final Rule: Never copy the sample answers.

Form I-212 must reflect your actual removal history, unlawful presence, entries and attempted entries, criminal history, family ties, intended immigration status and supporting evidence.

No matching Form I-212 topic was found.
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Visa and immigration guidance is reviewed for accuracy and clarity before publication.