What Must the Federal Agency's IGA Waiver Letter Include?
The IGA request must be a letter signed by the federal agency head or authorized designee and must explain the U.S. public interest in granting the waiver and the harm to the agency's program if the applicant must leave for two years.
The request must be in a letter
DOS expressly requires an Interested Government Agency request to be submitted in letter form.
The agency head or designee must sign
The letter must bear the signature of the agency head or an official whom the agency head has authorized to sign waiver requests.
Explain the public interest
The agency must explain why granting the §212(e) waiver serves the public interest of the United States.
Explain the detrimental effect of departure
The letter must separately explain why requiring the exchange visitor to return home for two years would harm the agency's program or activity of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must the IGA request be a letter?
Yes. DOS expressly requires a letter from the interested federal agency.
Who must sign the letter?
The agency head or an authorized designee.
Can the letter simply say the agency supports the waiver?
The letter should address the specific public-interest and agency-detriment explanations required by DOS.
Need Help With a J-1 Waiver?
The Messersmith Law Firm represents J-1 exchange visitors, physicians, researchers, professionals, and families in complex INA §212(e) matters.
Contact Us