Fill out I-212 (Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission Into the United States After Deportation or Removal) online
Form I-212 is used by individuals who have been previously deported or removed from the United States to request permission to reapply for admission before the statutory bar period has elapsed. Without approval, a removed individual is generally barred from reentry for 5, 10, or 20 years depending on the circumstances.
How to fill out I-212 (Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission Into the United States After Deportation or Removal)
Enter personal information
Provide your full legal name, date of birth, country of citizenship, A-Number, current address (U.S. or abroad), and all names previously used. Include your passport information and any prior Social Security numbers.
Detail your removal history
List every instance of deportation, removal, or voluntary departure under an order, including dates, locations, and the basis for each removal. Disclose any unauthorized reentries following removal.
Present favorable factors
Provide evidence supporting a favorable exercise of discretion, such as family ties in the U.S. (especially U.S. citizen or permanent resident relatives), evidence of rehabilitation, community ties, employment history, and hardship to qualifying relatives if admission is denied.
Submit with supporting documentation
Include the filing fee, copies of all removal orders, evidence of family relationships, character references, and any other documents supporting your case. If filing from abroad, coordinate with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your visa application.
About I-212 (Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission Into the United States After Deportation or Removal)
Who needs this form
Individuals who have been deported, removed, or who departed the United States under an order of exclusion, deportation, or removal, and who wish to seek lawful admission before the applicable reentry bar has expired. It is also required for individuals who were removed and reentered illegally.
Where to submit
File with USCIS by mail to the address specified in the form instructions, or file at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad if applying in connection with an immigrant visa application. The filing location depends on whether you are inside or outside the United States.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing before the underlying immigration case (visa petition, asylum application) has been approved or is pending
- Not providing sufficient evidence of rehabilitation, family ties, and other positive factors that support a favorable exercise of discretion
- Failing to disclose all prior removal orders, immigration violations, and criminal history
- Confusing Form I-212 with Form I-601 (Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility), which addresses different bars to admission
Frequently asked questions
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How long is the bar to reentry after removal?
The duration depends on the circumstances: a 5-year bar applies to individuals removed for the first time, a 10-year bar applies to individuals who were ordered removed based on certain grounds of inadmissibility or who accrued unlawful presence, and a 20-year bar applies to individuals with multiple removal orders. An individual convicted of an aggravated felony is permanently barred. Form I-212 requests permission to reapply before the bar period ends.
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