Practice Area
Waivers of Inadmissibility
Overcoming bars to admission with carefully prepared waiver applications.
Overview
What We Do
Many immigration applicants face grounds of inadmissibility — unlawful presence, prior misrepresentation, certain criminal convictions, or prior removals — that can block a green card or visa. A waiver asks the government to forgive that ground based on factors like extreme hardship to qualifying U.S. relatives. We evaluate eligibility, build a persuasive hardship record, and file the right waiver for your situation, including I-601, I-601A provisional unlawful presence waivers, I-212 permission to reapply, and 212(h) criminal waivers.
Common Situations
Clients We Represent
- Spouses or children of U.S. citizens or LPRs facing the 3- or 10-year unlawful presence bar
- Applicants with prior fraud or misrepresentation findings (INA 212(a)(6)(C))
- Individuals with certain criminal convictions seeking a 212(h) waiver
- Clients with prior orders of removal needing Form I-212 permission to reapply
- Consular processing applicants needing an I-601 waiver after a visa refusal
Our Process
How Your Case Moves Forward
- 01
Eligibility & Inadmissibility Analysis
Identify every ground of inadmissibility and determine which waivers are available.
- 02
Qualifying Relative & Hardship Review
Confirm a qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR relative and map out the extreme hardship factors.
- 03
Evidence Development
Gather medical, financial, country-condition, psychological, and family evidence to document hardship.
- 04
Waiver Filing
Prepare and file the appropriate form — I-601, I-601A, I-212, or 212(h) — with a comprehensive legal brief.
- 05
Decision & Next Steps
Respond to RFEs, coordinate with consular processing or adjustment, and advise on appeals if needed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is 'extreme hardship'?
- Extreme hardship is hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative that goes beyond the ordinary difficulty of family separation. USCIS weighs factors such as health, finances, education, country conditions, and family ties.
- What is the difference between an I-601 and I-601A waiver?
- The I-601A provisional waiver is filed inside the U.S. before departing for a consular interview and covers only unlawful presence. The I-601 covers a broader set of inadmissibility grounds and is typically filed after a consular refusal or with certain adjustment cases.