The I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, allows individuals who are deemed inadmissible to the U.S. to apply for a waiver. A critical part of this application can involve demonstrating extreme hardship to qualifying relatives. At Polaris Psychology, we specialize in providing comprehensive psychological evaluations to support I-601 waiver applications. These evaluations help illustrate the emotional, psychological, and mental health impacts of separation on family members, strengthening your case for a waiver.
What is an I-601 Psychological Evaluation?
An I-601 psychological evaluation provides evidence of how the potential separation or denial of admission impacts the mental health of qualifying family members. This evaluation helps demonstrate the extreme hardship that would result if the applicant were denied a waiver, particularly in cases where family members are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Our evaluations assess key factors such as emotional stress, anxiety, depression, and the potential long-term effects on mental health.
Our psychologists at Polaris Psychology have extensive experience in performing I-601 waiver evaluations, ensuring that each assessment is thorough, compassionate, and tailored to the unique circumstances of your case. The result is a comprehensive, detailed report that provides critical evidence of the emotional and psychological hardship faced by your family members. This report can be used to strengthen your I-601 waiver application and improve the chances of a favorable outcome. For more information on the I-601 application process, visit the USCIS official page.
Who Should Consider an I-601 Psychological Evaluation?
Any applicant filing an I-601 waiver application based on extreme hardship to a family member should consider a psychological evaluation. This is especially important if your waiver is based on the emotional or psychological impact that separation would cause for your spouse, parent, or child. These evaluations are tailored to your specific family situation and provide detailed, evidence-based reports that strengthen your application.
Why Is a Psychological Evaluation Important for an I-601 Waiver?
The I-601 waiver process requires applicants to demonstrate that their qualifying family members would experience extreme hardship if the waiver is not granted. A psychological evaluation is a critical component of this, as it provides evidence of the emotional and psychological impact that separation or denial of the waiver would have on your family members.
Here’s how our evaluations can help:
- Expert Documentation of Hardship: Family members facing separation often experience significant emotional distress, anxiety, or depression. Our evaluation documents these mental health challenges and the potential long-term effects, providing a thorough and credible assessment of the hardship they face.
- Support Your Waiver Application: A professional psychological evaluation lends credibility to your waiver application by offering an objective, evidence-based assessment of the hardship your family members may endure if the waiver is denied.
- Highlight Mental Health Needs: Conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress that can result from prolonged separation or uncertainty are thoroughly assessed and documented, helping to demonstrate the extreme hardship that justifies the approval of your I-601 waiver.
For more information on the waiver process, visit the official USCIS page on I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility. It is also strongly recommended that you consult with an immigration attorney before proceeding with your I-601 waiver application to ensure you have the appropriate legal guidance.
Why Choose Polaris Psychology for Your I-601 Psychological Evaluation?
Choosing the right provider for your I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility psychological evaluation is critical. At Polaris Psychology, we offer:
By choosing Polaris Psychology, you are opting for a provider with unparalleled expertise, flexibility, and a commitment to understanding your unique story. We are here to support you through every step of the evaluation process, helping you build a strong foundation for your I-601 waiver application.
What to Expect During Your I-601 Psychological Evaluation
At Polaris Psychology, we prioritize creating a compassionate and supportive environment where you can share your story. Here’s what the evaluation process typically involves:
Intake Paperwork: To begin the process, you’ll complete the necessary paperwork, providing us with background information about you and your family members.
Initial Intake Session (1-2 Hours via Video Telehealth): During the first session, you will meet with one of our licensed clinical psychologists. We conduct an in-depth clinical interview to understand your mental health, your relationships, and the potential emotional or psychological impact of being separated from your family. We may also administer standardized tests or questionnaires to further assess your mental health.
Supplemental Clinical Interviews (As Needed, 0 to 2 Meetings via Video Telehealth): Depending on the complexity of your case, we may schedule additional meetings to gather more information or clarify specific issues.
Draft Report Delivery: Within three weeks of the final interview, we will deliver a draft of the evaluation report for your review. If your case is more complex, this timeline may extend.
Report Finalization: After incorporating any necessary revisions, we finalize the report within 1 to 3 business days and send it to both you and your attorney.
Pricing and Payment
At Polaris Psychology, we accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and FSA/HSA accounts for payment. While we do not accept insurance, we can provide a “superbill” for you to submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement.
Evaluation Fee
$1,528
Due in full at the first intake session. We accept credit cards, debit cards, FSA/HSA, and, in some cases, cash or cashier's checks.
Expedited Evaluation
+ $508
For a faster turnaround (within two weeks), an additional $508 expedited fee applies
Addenda
$250/hour
Should you need an update to your initial report, we can provide this for an additional fee of $250 per hour.
Please contact us if you have any questions about payment options. We are committed to making the process as smooth and transparent as possible, so you can focus on your I-601 waiver application.
Confidentiality and Communication
Your evaluation is confidential and protected by doctor-patient confidentiality. If you wish for us to communicate with your attorney, you will need to sign a release of information form. This will allow us to share your completed evaluation report with your attorney to support your I-601 waiver application.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to some common questions about our I-601 waiver psychological evaluations. If you need more information or have specific concerns, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Q: Why do I need a psychological evaluation for my I-601 waiver application?
A: A psychological evaluation offers independent, professional evidence that denial of your waiver would cause “extreme hardship” to a qualifying relative (spouse, parent, or certain children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents). By documenting the emotional, psychological, and sometimes medical impact of separation—or forced relocation—the report helps the adjudicating officer understand the real-life consequences your family would face if the waiver is not granted.
Q: What happens during the I-601 psychological evaluation?
A: During the evaluation, the U.S. citizen qualifying relative will meet with a licensed psychologist for a thorough interview covering several topics including:
- Personal, family, and immigration history
- Current mental-health symptoms and daily functioning
- Support systems, medical needs, and financial or caregiving responsibilities
We also administer evidence-based assessment tools to measure anxiety, depression, trauma reactions, and other relevant factors. The result is a detailed report that may link clinical findings to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) criteria for extreme hardship.
Q: How much does the psychological evaluation cost?
A: The evaluation fee is $1,528, due in full at the first intake session. If you need an expedited evaluation which needs to be completed within two weeks, an additional $508 fee applies, totaling $2,036.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Most health-insurance plans classify immigration-related psychological evaluations as “non-covered services,” so coverage is rare. For that reason, Polaris Psychology operates on a private-pay basis for all immigration evaluations.
Q: Do you offer immigration evaluations where I am?
A: At Polaris Psychology our licensed psychologists are authorized to practice
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Q: Do I need to work with an immigration attorney?
A: While a I-601 waiver application can be filed without an attorney, we strongly recommend legal representation. Immigration law is complex and deadlines are strict; an experienced immigration lawyer can:
- Familiarity with changing policies, deadlines, and interview requirements
- Anticipate procedural pitfalls and prepare you for interviews or hearings
- Integrate supporting documents (including a psychological evaluation) into a cohesive case strategy
Our evaluation details the humanitarian side of your waiver, but it is not a substitute for legal advice, and our clinicians do not provide legal services.
If you need help finding qualified counsel, these resources are a good starting point:
Q: Is the psychological evaluation confidential?
A: Yes, your evaluation is completely confidential. All information you share is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and used solely to prepare your report. We release the report only to you (or your attorney) and only with your written consent.
Q: What if I don't speak English?
A: If English is not an option, we work with professional medical interpreters during the interview portion of the evaluation. This ensures that you can comfortably communicate in your native language. While the final evaluation report is provided in English, translators are available to assist with the interview.
We work with interpreters in 100+ languages, including: Amharic, Arabic, Assamese, Bengali, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, Hausa, Mandarin, Punjabi, Pashto, Tamil, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, Swahili, and many more.
Ready to Begin? Schedule Your Immigration Evaluation Consult Today.
Applying for an I-601 waiver can be a stressful and emotional process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Simply use the calendar below to choose a time that works for you. Once booked, you’ll be set up for a direct consultation with one of our licensed psychologists.
