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U-visa: status for crime victims who helped the police
For victims of qualifying crimes who cooperated with law enforcement.
Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Short answer
The U-visa is for victims of serious crimes in the United States who suffered substantial harm and helped law enforcement. It requires a certification signed by police, a prosecutor or a judge. The annual cap means a long wait, but people on the waiting list receive work authorization and protection from removal.
Get status after being the victim of a crime you reported.
Overview
A U Visa is a special visa that allows an illegal immigrant who was the victim of a crime in the United States to assist law enforcement in bringing the perpetrator to justice while protecting his or her ability to remain in the U.S. free from deportation. Once approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U Visa will allow the immigrant and their immediate family to work and live in the United States, and apply for permanent residency and green card in three years.
This visa category is designed to protect crime victims and their loved ones, but the process of applying is complicated and requires unique experience working with both the criminal and immigration systems. At the Law Office of 360 Immigration Law Group, we provide both thorough legal representation and emotional support to victims and their families while they pursue these non-immigrant visas.
What is a U visa?
In 2000, Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. This law's purpose was strengthening law enforcement's ability to pursue criminals involved in human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. Lawmakers realized that in order to build trust with immigrant communities and to protect witnesses, the U visa program was a vital and necessary tool for law enforcement.
If your U visa application is approved, it is valid for up to four years. During this time, you can legally live and work in the United States. After three years, most U visa holders can apply for their green card and obtain legal permanent residency. A U visa can also cover the crime victim's family members. If you are 21 years old or older, your U visa application can also include your spouse and children. If you are under the age of 21, your petition can include your spouse, children, parents, and unmarried siblings who are under the age of 18.
Who is eligible for a U visa?
There are six requirements that must be met in order to meet eligibility:
- The applicant was a victim of a qualifying crime;
- The applicant suffered substantial physical, emotional, or mental abuse;
- The victim can provide credible information regarding the crime;
- The crime occurred in the U.S. or otherwise violated U.S. laws;
- The victim must fully cooperate with law enforcement and provide information during the investigation and prosecution of the crime;
Under current U.S. immigration laws and regulations, the applicant is admissible to the U.S. (If they are not admissible, they may apply for a waiver.)
The list of covered crimes is extensive and includes aggravated assault, abduction, blackmail and extortion, domestic violence, sexual assault, manslaughter and murder, prostitution, as well as kidnapping and human trafficking. Other related crimes include the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation of any of these crimes, or similar activity where the elements of the crime are very similar.
- However, these are only some of the crimes that qualify under a U visa. The list is extensive
Even people who have criminal records or have violated immigration laws might be eligible for a U visa. Even if an individual has entered the country illegally or has a criminal record which renders them "inadmissible" to the United States, there might be a way forward with a waiver. The U visa process is one of the most complex cases for immigrants. Because so much is at stake, it's always best to consult with an immigration lawyer before starting the waiver process.
If you need help understanding whether you're eligible for a U visa, consult with our experienced immigration lawyer at the Law Office of 360 Immigration Law Group.
If you're serious about discovering how to win your permanent residency... Let's schedule a confidential Legal Strategy and Planning Session today, we are here to help you.
Is this confidential?
Yes. What you tell us is protected and we do not contact anyone else without your permission.
In VAWA, U-visa and T-visa cases the abuser or employer is not notified that you filed, and they are not asked to sign anything or take part.
If you are on a shared or monitored device, use the hide button at the top of this page, call us from a phone that is not tracked, or ask us to wait for you to call us back.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24 hours, all languages).
Who qualifies?
You were the victim of a qualifying crime
Domestic violence, sexual assault, felonious assault, kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion and others.
The crime happened in the U.S.
Or violated U.S. law.
You suffered substantial physical or mental harm
Documented by medical or counselling records, or by your own detailed statement.
You helped, are helping, or will help the investigation
A signed certification from law enforcement is required and we request it for you.
Schedule a case evaluation
Tell us your situation. We will tell you honestly whether you have a case.
Schedule Free Case EvaluationWe reply within 1 business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Staying safe on a shared device
Browsers keep a history of pages you visit. Use a private window, clear your history afterwards, or use a friend's phone. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24 hours, all languages).
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Four private questions. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
What does the process look like?
Confidential review
1 to 2 weeks
We identify whether the crime qualifies and what evidence exists.
Request the certification
1 to 6 months
We prepare and pursue the I-918B with the agency involved.
File the petition
Filing week
With your declaration and harm evidence.
Waiting list and work permit
Currently several years
Bona fide determination or waiting-list placement brings work authorization and deferred action.
How long does it take?
The statutory cap of 10,000 U-visas a year means the queue is long: work authorization through a bona fide determination is currently taking around 4 to 6 years, and the visa itself longer. Filing early is what matters, because your place in line is set by the filing date.
What does it cost?
Flat fee, with the waiver of the filing fee requested where you qualify.
We quote the petition as a flat fee. USCIS filing fees can usually be waived for U-visa petitioners, and we file that request with the case.
Frequently asked questions
It happens, and it is often a matter of reaching the right unit with the right request. We pursue it and, if it truly cannot be obtained, we look at VAWA or asylum instead.
Contact
Tell us about your case
Send us the basics and we'll reply within one business day in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- We reply within one business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp.
- Attorney input is part of our case evaluation process from the start. The information you share is carefully reviewed with an attorney.
Take the Next Step Today
Whether you need help with a visa, a green card, or deportation defense, we're ready to help.
Reach out to our trusted immigration law attorneys in Coral Springs and South Florida.