Waiver Granted for Fraud/Misrepresentation (INA §212(i))

A grant of the fraud/misrepresentation waiver under INA §212(i) overcomes a serious ground of inadmissibility. This is triggered when a person procures or attempts to procure an immigration benefit by willful misrepresentation or fraud. Examples include false answers at a visa interview, using another’s documents, or concealing prior entries. Approval means the government agreed that, despite past misconduct, the applicant met the legal standard and deserves discretion.

Who can qualify

Most applicants must prove that refusing admission would cause extreme hardship to a qualifying relative—a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. (Children are not qualifying relatives for §212(i). However, their needs often support the spouse/parent’s hardship.) Victims filing under VAWA have a different, more flexible standard.

What the waiver covers—and doesn’t

• Covers fraud/misrepresentation under §212(a)(6)(C)(i).
• Does not cure other grounds such as most criminal issues (§212(a)(2)) or unlawful presence bars (§212(a)(9)(B)). Those may require separate waivers (e.g., §212(h, I-601A).
• For certain permanent residents, the §237(a)(1)(H) waiver (distinct from §212(i)) may forgive fraud tied to the original admission. It can even rescue LPR status when eligible.

Evidence that wins

• Medical and psychological evaluations showing the qualifying relative’s treatment needs and the impact of separation or relocation.
• Financial analyses (job loss, caregiving costs, debt, special education).
• Country conditions proving inadequate care, security risks, or economic collapse abroad.
• Rehabilitation and credibility: clear remorse, consistent testimony, clean record, community and employer letters.

How we help
We pinpoint all grounds of inadmissibility. Then we build a hardship-centered record and craft a credible mitigation narrative. We coordinate timing with USCIS/NVC—turning a past mistake into a lawful path forward.