Sunshine22

The reason was because of 10 year ban. It took about 8 weeks after I-212 approval for the embassy to email us with further instructions. No 2nd interview (appointment), just had to redo medical and send passport to the embassy. After I-212 approval, stay proactive and email the embassy letting them know it was approved and send them a copy of the approval (email & upload to CEAC).

Hello! Our case has been resolved. In AP for 6 months but was told my husband needed an approved I-212 or wait out the ban. We filed the I-212.

My spouse's I-212 waiver was approved at the beginning of December, 2023. From my understanding this approval was sent to the embassy and now we just need to wait. Does anyone know what to expect after an I-212 approval and how long it takes for the embassy to contact you regarding the next steps? We have been checking the CEAC website for updates but none so far. Thanks in advance!

Hi @barby28! How long did it take after your I-212 approval for the embassy to contact you with further instructions? Was a second interview required?

Hello, how long did it take you to hear back from the Consulate after the I-212 approval?

Update: our I-212 was approved, 5 weeks after they accepted the form! We originally hired a lawyer for the whole process but with the long wait I had a lot of time to research and felt confident I could prepare the application so we decided to save some money and file it ourselves. Some cases may benefit from having a lawyer, but it is possible to file and get approved without one. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

That's amazing, congratulations!! Did you file with a USCIS field office?

Hello! Did you ever find out what the status meant or where it was processing? My husband filed his I-212 at a field office and we received the same status a day after they accepted the I-212.

I think things have changed. Currently it depends on the situation (if the application is in the US or not, visa type, other waivers needed, etc). In our case USCIS will adjudicate the waiver. https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/direct-filing-addresses-for-form-i-212-application-for-permission-to-reapply-for-admission-into-the

That's what I thought as well. We filed with a USCIS field office. When we received the receipt notice it stated the form was accepted at the field office then transferred to NBC.

Hi everyone! Would anyone be kind enough to share their timeline when filing an I-212? How long did you wait for a decision? I know every case is different but it is nice to have other cases to reference 🙂 USCIS website shows 24 months but I saw on another site someone that received a recent approval that only took 7 days!! I-212 ONLY

UPDATE: in case this helps anyone in the future With the help of a senator, the embassy responded and it looks there is a ban in place. I-601 Waiver is not needed. CAEC Status is still refused with long text (administrative processing). The wording on the form is misleading.. they checked the box "no waiver available. Please contact USCIS for permission to reapply". The I-212 is the form one uses to request permission to reapply. Is the I-212 not technically called a "waiver"?

Has anyone experienced being in AP for extra background checks (DS-5535) then was asked to submit a waiver? My husband's interview was in March 2023. We were expecting the CO to state if my husband needed to fill out a waiver or not. Not even sure if he even has a ban. We thought we would receive answers at the interview but the CO just stated he didn't know and needed more time to look into it. A month after the interview the DS-5535 was requested. My thought process is why waste time doing background checks if someone is otherwise inadmissible, so does that mean he doesn't have a ban or need a waiver? We understand the AP process for the DS-5535 but the waiver process is a little confusing. We tried reaching out to the embassy but no response. FOIA requests didn't help either. We are worried that if he does need a waiver we wasted time and could have submitted it 6 months ago. Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar. Thank you in advance!