Time was, you could file the I-601 “Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability” with the Adjustment of Status packet, and have the fee waived.
No more, says USCIS: a “clarification” dated 7/21/2008 states that the fee ($545) must be paid, though it outlines the circumstance where a waiver is applicable (not, as previous practice had it, as a matter of course when filed with the I-130/I-485 packet).
