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Hardship Letter for Immigration Template
Clearly explain the extreme hardship your family would face if an immigration case is denied, delayed, or removal goes forward.
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Hardship Letter for Immigration Template
[Writer’s Full Legal Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code]
[Country]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
[Date]
To: [Name of Immigration Authority / Court / Embassy / “To Whom It May Concern”]
Subject: Hardship Letter for [Applicant’s Full Legal Name] – [Case Type or Reference, if known]
Dear Sir or Madam,
1. Introduction and Case Reference
My name is [Writer’s Full Legal Name]. I am writing this letter in connection with the immigration case of [Applicant’s Full Legal Name], who is my [relationship, e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling].
This letter explains the hardship that I and/or my family would face if [Applicant’s Name]’s immigration case is denied, if [he/she/they] is required to leave [Country], or if our family is forced to separate or relocate. I respectfully ask that you take the information below into careful consideration when reviewing this case.
2. Family and Relationship Background
I am a [U.S. citizen / lawful permanent resident / other status] of [Country]. I was born on [Date of Birth] in [City, State/Province, Country] and currently live at [Full Residential Address].
I have the following family relationship with [Applicant’s Name]: [brief description, e.g., “I am [Applicant’s Name]’s U.S. citizen spouse,” “I am [Applicant’s Name]’s LPR parent,” etc.].
Our family includes:
[Name, Date of Birth, Relationship – e.g., child, parent, spouse]
[Name, Date of Birth, Relationship]
[Add additional family members as needed]
We have been living together (if applicable) at [Address] since [Month, Year]. Our lives, responsibilities, and daily routines are closely connected.
3. Emotional and Family Hardship
If [Applicant’s Name] is forced to leave [Country] or if our family is separated, we would experience serious emotional and family hardship, including:
[Describe emotional impact on you (and on any children), such as anxiety, depression, loss of support, or impact on family stability.]
[Describe the importance of the applicant’s presence in your daily life — caregiving, emotional support, parenting, or companionship.]
[Explain any special needs of family members (children, elderly parents, or others) who depend on the applicant for care or support.]
Our family is strongly bonded, and separation would cause ongoing and significant emotional distress for me and for [children or other relatives], well beyond ordinary sadness from a move or change.
4. Financial and Employment Hardship
Our finances would also be severely affected if [Applicant’s Name] is removed, denied, or unable to remain lawfully in [Country]. In particular:
[Explain the applicant’s role in household income: job, salary, contributions to bills, childcare, etc.]
[Explain your own income and expenses, including any loans, rent or mortgage, medical bills, tuition, or other obligations.]
[Describe how losing the applicant’s income, childcare, or support would impact your ability to meet basic needs.]
If I were required to relocate to [Applicant’s Country of Origin] to remain together, I would face economic hardship, such as:
[Difficulty finding work due to language, licensing, job market, or discrimination.]
[Loss of current employment, professional license, or career opportunities.]
[Significant changes in income or cost of living that would make it difficult to support the family.]
5. Medical, Educational, and Other Special Hardship
In addition to emotional and financial hardship, there are specific medical, educational, and other factors that make our situation especially difficult:
Medical Hardship (if applicable)
[Describe any current medical or mental health conditions affecting you, the applicant, or your family members.]
[Explain the treatment, medication, or specialist care required, and whether it is available, affordable, or safe in the applicant’s home country.]
Educational Hardship (if applicable)
[Explain the impact on children’s schooling, such as disruption of education, language barriers, loss of special education or support services, or unsafe or low-quality schools abroad.]
Other Relevant Hardship Factors
[Describe any country conditions (violence, instability, discrimination, lack of services) that would make relocation unusually difficult or dangerous.]
[Mention any unique cultural, linguistic, or social barriers you or your family members would face in the applicant’s country.]
[Include any other specific, concrete circumstances that make this situation more than ordinary hardship.]
6. Impact if the Case Is Denied or Removal Proceeds
If this case is denied and [Applicant’s Name] must leave [Country], or if I am forced to choose between separation and relocation, our family will face the combined effect of all the hardships described above. In summary:
Our family unity would be seriously damaged by separation or forced relocation.
Our financial stability and ability to meet basic needs would be at risk.
Our physical and mental health, and/or the health of our children or dependents, would be harmed.
Our safety, access to medical care, and educational prospects could be significantly worse in [Applicant’s Country of Origin], if relocation were required.
These combined factors would create an ongoing and severe hardship for me and for our family, well beyond the normal difficulties associated with family moves or changes.
7. Supporting Evidence
To support the statements in this letter, we are submitting, or have submitted, the following documents (as applicable):
Medical records, doctor’s letters, or psychological evaluations.
Employment letters, pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of household expenses.
School records, letters from teachers or counselors, and documentation of special educational needs.
Country condition reports, news articles, or other information about safety, healthcare, or economic conditions in [Applicant’s Country of Origin].
Any other documents that help show the reality and seriousness of our hardship.
8. Statement of Good Faith and Request
I respectfully affirm that everything I have written in this letter is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am providing this information in good faith to help you understand the real impact that denial, removal, or forced relocation would have on our family.
In light of the emotional, financial, medical, educational, and other hardships described above, I respectfully ask that you grant [type of relief or benefit requested, e.g., “the requested waiver,” “cancellation of removal,” “approval of the application,” etc.] so that our family can remain together and continue our lives in [Country].
Thank you very much for your time and careful consideration of our situation.
Sincerely,
[Writer’s Signature]
[Writer’s Printed Full Legal Name]
[City, State/Province]
[Date of Signature]
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Learn more about
Hardship Letter for Immigration Template
Click below for detailed info on the template.
For quick answers, scroll below to see the FAQ.
Click below for detailed info on the template.
For quick answers, scroll below to see the FAQ.
HARDSHIP LETTER FOR IMMIGRATION TEMPLATE FAQ
What is a hardship letter for immigration?
A hardship letter for immigration is a detailed written statement explaining the serious difficulties that a person or their qualifying family members would face if an immigration case is denied, a waiver is refused, or someone is removed from the country. It is commonly used in waiver applications, cancellation of removal, and other family or humanitarian immigration cases.
Who writes a hardship letter for immigration cases?
A hardship letter is usually written by the person applying for relief (the applicant or respondent) or by a qualifying relative whose hardship is central to the case (such as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child). Sometimes separate letters from multiple family members are submitted to describe each person’s situation and hardship.
What should a hardship letter for immigration include?
A strong hardship letter typically includes:
Full names and contact details of the writer and the applicant.
A clear explanation of the family relationships involved.
Specific facts about emotional, financial, medical, educational, and other hardship.
Details about country conditions or special needs that make relocation or separation unusually difficult.
A summary of supporting evidence (medical records, financial documents, school records, reports, etc.).
A respectful closing that clearly requests favorable consideration.
What are common mistakes in immigration hardship letters?
Common mistakes include:
Writing in very general terms (“we will suffer” or “it will be hard”) with no concrete facts, dates, or examples.
Focusing only on the applicant’s hardship instead of the qualifying relative’s hardship when the law requires the relative’s hardship.
Ignoring sensitive issues (such as health problems, special needs, or country conditions) instead of explaining them clearly.
Making unsupported claims that are not backed up by any documents.
Using an angry or disrespectful tone toward immigration authorities instead of a calm, factual, and respectful tone.
Is this hardship letter template legal advice or a guarantee that my case meets the ‘extreme hardship’ standard?
No. This Hardship Letter for Immigration Template is a general drafting aid only. It does not interpret immigration law, does not decide whether your facts meet any “extreme hardship” or similar legal standard, and does not guarantee any outcome. Hardship rules are complex and can change over time. You should consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative to evaluate your specific case and strategy.
How can AI Lawyer help with an immigration hardship letter?
AI Lawyer can help you organize your own facts — family ties, medical issues, financial obligations, and other circumstances — into a clear, structured hardship letter using this template. You remain responsible for providing truthful information, attaching supporting evidence, and following all official instructions and deadlines. Any AI-generated text is for drafting support only and is not legal advice.
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