U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security Edition Edition 01/20/25 (OMB 1615-0018, expires 03/31/2027) 10 pages

Form I-212 — Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission After Deportation or Removal

The application for consent to reapply for admission if you are inadmissible after a removal, deportation or unlawful reentry.

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Form I-212 · Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission Into the United States After Deportation or Removal
The official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security form, edition Edition 01/20/25 (OMB 1615-0018, expires 03/31/2027) — blank
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What is Form I-212?

Form I-212 asks the Department of Homeland Security for consent to reapply for admission to the United States, also called permission to reapply. You need it if you are inadmissible under INA section 212(a)(9)(A), because you were removed (or left while under a removal order) and the waiting period hasn't passed or you have an aggravated felony conviction, or under section 212(a)(9)(C), because you entered or tried to enter unlawfully after more than a year of unlawful presence or after a removal.

The instructions warn that returning without consent when you need it can lead to reinstatement of the removal order, criminal prosecution and a permanent bar, and that a visa alone may not protect you. Where you file depends on your case: with USCIS (its filing location changed on Oct. 7, 2026), with CBP at a port of entry or through e-SAFE in certain cases, or as the immigration court directs if you are in removal proceedings.

FileIt fills in the I-212 (Edition 01/20/25) and prints your answers onto USCIS's own PDF: your details, the grounds of inadmissibility that apply, why you want to return, your relatives, your biographic information and, for CBP filings, your address, employment, family and marital history. You print it, sign it by hand and file it yourself. FileIt never files anything with USCIS or CBP.

Who files
Someone inadmissible under INA 212(a)(9)(A) or (C) after a removal, deportation or unlawful reentry.
Filed with
USCIS, CBP (port of entry or e-SAFE) or the immigration court, depending on the case.
Often with
Form I-601 when you also need a waiver of other grounds of inadmissibility, or an immigrant visa or adjustment application.
Evidence
Removal records and orders, proof of relatives' status, proof of time spent outside the U.S. where needed, and favorable factors.
Signature
Handwritten in ink. USCIS rejects an unsigned application.
Edition
01/20/25 (OMB No. 1615-0018, expires 03/31/2027)

Who needs to fill out Form I-212?

  • People removed as arriving aliens (for example in expedited removal) who want to return before the 5-year bar ends, or after more than one removal.
  • People removed as deportable aliens, or who left while under a removal order, before the 10-year (or 20-year) bar ends.
  • Anyone removed who has an aggravated felony conviction, whenever they seek admission.
  • People who entered or tried to enter unlawfully after more than a year of unlawful presence or after a removal (INA 212(a)(9)(C)), after 10 years outside the United States.
  • Not needed once the waiting period has passed for 212(a)(9)(A), unless an aggravated felony applies.

When to use Form I-212

  • Before you return to the United States, if you need consent to reapply.
  • Together with an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa application, an adjustment of status application, or Form I-601, as your case requires.
  • In advance of a visa application in some cases. Check the instructions for which agency receives your application.

What you need before you start

  • Your A-Number, names and other names, addresses, date and place of birth, citizenship and any SSN or Online Account Number.
  • Any DOS consular case number, consulate location, adjustment receipt, and details of any Form I-601.
  • Dates and places of each removal, deportation, exclusion, unlawful presence and reentry attempt.
  • Why you want to return, and your U.S. citizen or permanent resident relatives with proof of their status.
  • For CBP filings: ten years of addresses, five years of employment, your parents and your marital history.
  • Copies of removal orders and records, and evidence of favorable factors such as family ties, hardship and rehabilitation.

What’s on Form I-212

The 2025 edition has 10 pages. FileIt asks for it in 14 parts:

  1. Attorney or accredited representative (top of page 1)Preparer
  2. Part 1. Information about youApplicant
  3. Part 1. Visa, adjustment and waiver informationApplicant
  4. Part 2. Reasons you are filing Form I-212Applicant
  5. Part 3. Reasons for your request for permission to reapplyApplicant
  6. Part 4. Biographic informationApplicant
  7. Part 5. CBP filings: address history (last 10 years)Applicant
  8. Part 5. CBP filings: employment history (last 5 years)Applicant
  9. Part 5. CBP filings: your parentsApplicant
  10. Part 5. CBP filings: marital historyApplicant
  11. Part 6. Applicant's contact information, certification and signatureApplicant
  12. Part 7. Interpreter's contact information, certification and signatureInterpreter
  13. Part 8. Person preparing this application, if other than the applicantPreparer
  14. Part 9. Additional informationApplicant

How to fill out Form I-212, step by step

1 Part 1: Information about you

Your A-Number, name and other names, mailing and physical addresses, SSN, Online Account Number, sex, date and place of birth and citizenship, then any consular case, adjustment application and Form I-601 details.

2 Part 2: Reasons you are filing

Answer Yes or No to each ground: removal as an arriving alien, removal as a deportable alien, entry after more than a year of unlawful presence, and entry after removal. For each Yes, tick the boxes that describe you and give the dates and places asked for.

3 Parts 3 and 4: Reasons and biographic information

Choose the status you will seek, explain why you want to reenter (continue in Part 9), name your U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative, then give your ethnicity, race, height, weight, and eye and hair colour.

4 Part 5: CBP filings only

If you file with CBP, give your address history, employment history, parents' details and marital history. USCIS filers leave it blank.

5 Parts 6 to 9: Signature and helpers

Give your phone numbers and email and sign by hand. An interpreter and preparer complete and sign their own parts. Part 9 holds anything that didn't fit, such as aggravated felony convictions or more periods of unlawful presence.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Returning to the United States before consent to reapply is approved, which can make you permanently inadmissible.
  • Leaving out the family name or mailing address: USCIS lists them among the fields it rejects the form for.
  • Filing with the wrong agency. Check whether your case goes to USCIS, CBP or the immigration court.
  • Not listing every removal and period of unlawful presence, or omitting aggravated felony convictions.
  • Sending it without the removal records and evidence of your relatives' status and of favorable factors.
  • Typing a name in a signature box. Every signature must be handwritten.

After you fill it out

Print the form, sign Part 6 by hand, and have any interpreter and preparer sign their parts.

Attach your evidence and the fee from the USCIS fee schedule, and file it with the agency your case requires (see uscis.gov/i-212 and its Direct Filing Addresses page).

If you file with USCIS by mail, you can add Form G-1145 to get an email or text when it is accepted.

Keep a copy. FileIt saves the finished PDF in your vault.

Fill out Form I-212 online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 232 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

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Form I-212: frequently asked questions

What is permission to reapply?

It is DHS's consent for someone who was removed, or who reentered unlawfully, to apply again for admission to the United States. Form I-212 is how you ask for it.

Do I need Form I-212 if my waiting period has passed?

For inadmissibility under 212(a)(9)(A), generally not once you have been outside the United States for the required 5, 10 or 20 years, unless you have an aggravated felony conviction. Check the instructions for your situation.

Where do I file Form I-212?

It depends: with USCIS at the address on its Direct Filing Addresses page, with CBP at a port of entry or through e-SAFE in certain cases, or as the immigration court directs if you are in removal proceedings.

Do I also need Form I-601?

Only if you are also inadmissible on other grounds that need a waiver. Item 19 asks whether you are filing Form I-601 with this application.

Can I fill out Form I-212 online with FileIt?

Yes. FileIt lets you complete the I-212 and prints your answers on the official USCIS PDF. You then sign it by hand and file it yourself; FileIt doesn't file anything with USCIS or CBP.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.

Fill out Form I-212 online