The I-601A waiver helps waive the 3 or 10-year bar due to unlawful presence before leaving for consular processing.

It is only available to those who have a U.S. citizen or LPR spouse or parent who would suffer extreme hardship.

Applicants must still leave the U.S. for an interview abroad, but the waiver provides more certainty before departure.

It does not waive other grounds of inadmissibility like fraud or prior deportations — only unlawful presence.